Democratic Chatter 11-27-2008

George Wenschhof

A coordinated series of planned terrorist attacks hit Mumbai, India - a number of high profile targets were selected such as the Taj Mahal and Oberoi Hotels, a train station, a woman and infants hospital and a Jewish center. It is estimated over 100 are dead and more than 300 injured. India Prime Minister Manhoman Singh says the attackers are unknown at this point but pointed at outside sources. The inference was toward Pakistan. Pakistan and India, both nuclear armed nations have had an adversarial relationship for many years. CNN.com has more here.

President-elect Barack Obama issued a statement: "President-Elect Obama strongly condemns today's terrorist attacks in Mumbai, and his thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, and the people of India. ThePage.Time.com has the rest of the statement here. The Bush administration also issued a statement which can be read here.

Stay Tuned.

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Obama transition team establishes special team to focus on situation in India - It will interact with the State department's Operation Center and Director of National Intelligence. CNN.com has more here.

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U.S. - Iraq Security Pact approved by Iraq Parliament - this was necessary as the current agreement which allows for U.S. presence in Iraq was set to expire on December 31. The new agreement calls for U.S.troops to withdraw by the end of 2012. There continues to be some back and forth as to interpretation of some specifics of the agreement based on the English or Iraq printed versions. McClatchydc.com has more here.

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Will Representative Charles Rangel (D-NY) stay as chair of the Ways and Means Committee? House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calf.) is waiting to receive the investigative report on his financial disclosure issues due by January 3, 2009 from the Ethics Committee. It is likely this will be resolved prior to the swearing in of Barack Obama as President on January 20. Politico.com has more here.

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Obama Transition Team and Democratic Congressional Leaders to have Bills ready by Inauguration Day - realizing it is important to move forward, economic, health and spending bills are being prepared now for passage soon after Obama is sworn into office as President. The NY Times has more here.

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