Democratic Chatter 1-13-2009

George Wenschhof Bio

Today, President-elect Barack Obama will have lunch with Democratic Senators - during their weekly luncheon get-together, Obama will urge them to support the release of the additional 350 Billion remaining in the bailout bill. He will also be talking up his stimulus bill. The NY Times CaucusBlog.com has more here. It is now one week until Inauguration Day.

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Roland Burris now the Senate-Designate from Illinois - in the latest version of the two-step, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) indicated he believed Mr. Burris will be sworn in this week. The Chicago Tribune has more here. It appears the swearing in will be tomorrow or Thursday, depending on the availability of Vice-President Dick Cheney who will preside over the swearing in.

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Hillary Clinton confirmation hearings begin today - in another strange twist, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, chaired by Senator John Kerry (D-Mass.) will hold the first confirmation hearing for Clinton. John Kerry had lobbied hard for the position of Secretary of State and had to settled for the chair of the foreign relations committee which became open when Joe Biden was selected as Vice-President. The NY Times has more here.

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Meanwhile, NY Governor David Paterson says his interview with Caroline Kennedy was impressive - The Governor had sent 15 potential candidates a questionnaire to be answered as he worked toward making his selection to fill the soon to be vacant Hillary Clinton Senate seat. He is following up with individual interviews. The NY Daily News has more here.

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While over in Minnesota, the lone remaining undecided contest results in an unfilled senate seat - Al Franken (D) had been certified the winner by the Illinois canvassing board after the conclusion of the state mandated recount. However, incumbent Norm Coleman, as allowed under state law, has filed suit contesting the results. When Al Franken asked Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty (R) and the Secretary of State to issue a election certificate, he was turned down due the the lawsuit pending by the Coleman campaign. It appears this seating of a Senator from Minnesota will take a little longer. MSNBC.com has more here.

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Obama set to order the closing of Guantanamo Bay prison - it is likely he will order in the first week of his presidency, the closing of Gitmo, the military prison used to house suspected Terrorists under the Bush administration. CNN.com has more here.

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