Democratic Chatter 12-19-2008

George Wenschhof Bio

President George W. Bush announces 13.4 Billion loan to GM, Ford, and Chrysler - after weeks of posturing, the agreement was announced this morning. The funds will come from the 700 Billion Troubled Assets Relief Program (TARP). CNN.com has more here.

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President-elect Barack Obama set to nominate Blair as Director of National Intelligence - we had reported some time ago that retired naval admiral Dennis Blair was under consideration for this position. It is expected he will be named at a press conference this morning. Reuters.com has more here. Also expected to be named is Dallas mayor Ron Kirk as U.S trade representative. Time.com has more here.

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"Blago Watch" - the impeachment committee recently formed by the Illinois legislature may face difficulties in moving forward. Evidence may compromise U.S. attorney Patrick Fitzgerald's case against Governor Rod Blagojevich and not be allowed. Read more here.

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Latest rumor for Labor Department Secretary is Hilda Solis - she is a five term Democratic Congresswoman from California who has long been a friend of organized labor. She would be the second Hispanic named to the Obama Cabinet. It is expected the President-elect will nominate her within the next few days. MSNBC.com has more here.

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Minnesota Senate race update - at the end of the day after the state canvassing board ruled on disputed ballots, Republican Norm Coleman had a two vote lead on Democrat Al Franken. The state supreme court also ruled on a court challenge by the Coleman campaign to halt the counting of approximately 1500 absentee ballots. Seems the count can continue but the campaigns and the canvassing board must agree on the criteria. It could now be the end of the month before the winner is determined. MSNBC.com has more here.

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