George Wenschhof Bio
President Barack Obama will sign the 787 billion Stimulus bill today in Denver, Colorado - today is also when Chrysler and GM have to submit restructuring plans to the Treasury, a condition of the 13.4 billion in government loans given to them. The automakers are expected to receive an additional 7 billion in aid. Tomorrow, the president will be in Phoenix, Arizona to announce his new effort to help on the foreclosure front. The NY Times has more here.
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Meanwhile, stocks dropped worldwide - stocks in Europe and Asia dropped. The Euro fell while Gold climbed. The global economic crisis continues so it is important the Obama administration works in a concerted manner with nations around the world. Bloomberg.com has more here.
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Obama close to announcing troop increase in Afghanistan - the president has been weighing advise as to the size and the mission before he announces his decision. however, 3000 new troops just arrived in Afghanistan to bolster a weak area around Kabul. MSNBC.com has more here.
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Will Senator Roland Burris (D-Ill.) resign? - some Democrats are hoping that is what happens as the state of Illinois is preparing to investigate whether the Senator committed perjury when testifying before the impeachment panel of then Governor Rod Blagojevich (D-Ill.). Seems like Blagojevich will continue to haunt the Democrats for a little while longer. Politico.com has more here.
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Both NY Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Governor David Paterson appear to be weak candidates for reelection - in yet another of the Democratic sagas involving a Governor selecting the replacement for a vacant senate seat. Gillibrand was selected to fill the vacant Hillary Clinton senate seat after an embarrassing series of events surrounding Caroline Kennedy who had expressed interest in the seat. A Quinnipiac poll shows Gillibrand trailing Representative Carolyn McCarthy (D) by 10 points and Governor Paterson trailing state attorney Andrew Cuomo (D) by 32 points. TheHill.com has more here
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Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Democratic Chatter 2-17-2009
Friday, January 23, 2009
Democratic Chatter 1-23-2009
George Wenschhof Bio
President Barack Obama to meet with Democratic and Republican Congressional Leaders today - the discussion will center on his economic stimulus plan. Time.com has more here.
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New White House Press Secretary does well on first day - the first briefing was delayed one day due to WH press staffers still moving in. Yesterday, Robert Gibbs performed well in what will be a totally different experience than he had as the Obama campaign communications director. The toughest grilling from the press pertained to the do-over swearing in of President Obama by Justice Roberts and why the Press had not been invited. Future questions from the Press promise to be much tougher than that. Politico.com has more here.
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NY Governor David Paterson to name Senator today at noon - after all the media frenzy following the announcement by Caroline Kennedy that she was withdrawing from consideration, the Governor moved up a day his announcement of the person to fill the vacant Hillary Clinton Senate seat. Rumors are flying that NY Representative Kristen Hillibrand is the pick. The other name most mentioned is NY Attorney General Andrew Cuomo. Interestingly, it is being reported the Governor has invited all of those who were being considered to be present at 12:00 PM ET when he makes his announcement. We'll all know soon! CNN.com has more here.
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Hillary Clinton begins first day as Secretary of State, Obama names two special envoys - The President showed he is serious in showing new resolve in U.S. foreign policy by yesterday naming George Mitchell as special envoy to the Middle East and Richard Holbrooke as special envoy to Pakistan-Afghanistan. Both regions are flash points and both gentlemen named are experienced negotiators in foreign policy. Reuters.com has more here.
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Senate passes pay equity bill - this bill failed passage last year. This time the vote was 61-36. While the House needs to agree with the Senate version of the bill, it is expected to be the first bill signed into law by President Obama. TheHill.com has more here.
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Thursday, January 22, 2009
Democratic Chatter 1-22-2009
George Wenschhof Bio
Obama has busy first day as President as he sets a new tone in the White House - let's see - where do I begin? Meetings with economic advisers and Joint Chiefs of Staff, executive orders on pay freezes and ethics guidelines for staff, phone calls to middle east leaders, putting a hold on Gitmo trials, and oh yeah, he and Michelle greeted several hundred visitors at the White House. On top of all that, Obama retook the oath of office after Chief Justice John Roberts flubbed it the first time. Joan Walsh of Salon.com has a good read on the first day here.
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Obama set to issue orders today to close Gitmo, ban torture, and review detention policies - the executive orders would close Gitmo prison at Guantanamo Bay within one year, require the use of the Army Field manual for interrogation techniques, and also review current detention procedures. The Army field manual bans waterboarding, and reviewing current detention procedures would involve identifying and closing overseas secret detention centers currently in use. CNN.com has more here.
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Hillary Clinton confirmed as Secretary of State - the roll call vote was 94-2. The Wednesday vote was forced after Senator John Cornyn (R-Tex.) would not agree with a voice vote that was to be held for her on Tuesday. TheHill.com has more here.
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Caroline Kennedy withdraws from consideration for NY Senate Seat - NY Governor David Paterson's job just got a whole lot easier as he planned to announce Saturday his pick to replace the vacant seat previously held by Hillary Clinton. One reason given by Ms. Kennedy is her Uncle, Senator Ted Kennedy's health. However, speculation also surrounds a theory she was not going to be picked and this was a way for her to save face. The clear frontrunner now is NY Attorney General Andrew Cuomo. The NY Times has more here.
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Meanwhile, Republicans delay the confirmation of Eric Holder as Attorney General - Republicans were able to use some parliamentary moves to delay the vote Senator Pat Leahy (D-Vt.) was set to call for yesterday. Some Republicans are expressing concern in regard to potential prosecution of intelligence agents for using harsh interrogation methods. Holder is expected to be confirmed next week. MSNBC.com has more here.
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George Mitchell may be named special envoy to the middle east - Mitchell served a similar role for the George W. Bush administration in the early 2000's. Mitchell also helped to broker the Northern Ireland peace under the Clinton administration. The former Senator also prepared the steroid and drug use report for Major League Baseball. CNN.com has more here.
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Tuesday, January 13, 2009
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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Saturday, December 27, 2008
Democratic Chatter 12-27-2008
George Wenschhof Bio
Today, the President-elect begins week two of his vacation with his family in Hawaii - He continues to work closely with his transition team as we are now 24 days from Inauguration Day. The Hawaii Star Bulletin has a section entitled "Obama in Hawaii" - You can check it out here.
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More international relations issues face the President-elect as Inauguration Day nears - Today, after several days of threats, Israel launched air force missile strikes on the Gaza Strip killing at least 155. This action was taken after Israel had received hundreds of rocket attacks from Hamas. CNN.com has more here.
This comes after reports indicate Pakistan was transferring troops from the Afghanistan border to their border with India. These two countries have fought three wars since Pakistan established their independence in 1947.
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Governors and Mayors across USA to plea for funds from the coming Obama administration Stimulus program - they are all feeling the pain from the struggling economy and face severe cost saving measures in their local budgets. The Washington Post has more here.
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Caroline Kennedy provides insight on why she is seeking NY Senate seat - in an interview she talks about the impact the events surrounding 9/11 and the inspiration of President-elect Barack Obama has had on her seeking the position. MSNBC.com has more here.
She has also spoken to Senator Hillary Clinton who Caroline indicated expressed how much she had enjoyed her position as Senator. Ms. Kennedy also indicated if she was not selected to fill the position, she would support the individual who was selected in the 2010 election. Politico.com has more here.
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Things go from bad to worse for Republicans as RNC chair decision nears - if more polarization and division is what you want and you are a Republican, you may have a new choice for chairman of the Republican National Committee (RNC). Far right conservative Grover Norquist may become a candidate. TheHill.com has more here.
This comes after another right wing extremist, Chip Saltsman who is also vying for the chair of the RNC sends out a holiday card that includes a song knocking the President-elect. TheHill.com has more here.
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Monday, December 22, 2008
Democratic Chatter 12-22-2008
George Wenschhof Bio
President-elect Obama plays 18 on first day of vacation - Reporters covering his play discovered he is a left hand golfer - a Phil Mickelson perhaps? Doubtful, Obama says his game is not that good. Politico.com has more here.
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"Blago Watch" continues - the name of the emissary who reportedly was asked to raise campaign funds for Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich (D) in exchange for selecting Representative Jesse Jackson Jr (D-Ill.). to fill the vacant Senate seat has been identified. He is Chicago businessman Raghuveer P. Nayak who is reportedly seeking immunity in exchange for his cooperation with federal authorities. The Chicago Tribune Swamppolitics.com has more here.
The investigation into the "pay to play" schemes of the Governor have been ongoing for five years and involved many wiretaps. MSNBC.com has more here.
President-elect Barack Obama is expected to release their internal report of contacts with Governor Blagojevich and members of the transition team early this week. Interestingly, in regard to public information requests, it seems the presidential transition efforts are not covered under the legislation, should any be requested. Politico.com has more here.
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Senator Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.) focuses on health care for all Americans - He is suffering from incurable brain cancer, but is back at work after recuperating from surgery and post surgery treatment to remove as much as possible of a malignant tumor. Health care for all Americans has always been his passion while serving in the Senate and now he has a President-elect and incoming Cabinet member Tom Daschle who support the same cause. Bloomberg.com has more here.
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"Face The Nation" and Bob Schieffer gang up on Caroline Kennedy - yesterday, the morning talk show was basically a beat up on Caroline Kennedy discussion by frustrated seekers of the soon to be vacant Senator Hillary Clinton senate seat. Representative Gary Ackerman (D-NY) compared her to Alaska Governor Sarah Palin (R) and Representative Peter King (D-NY) who is planning to run in the 2010 election, took his shots as well. TheHill.com has more here.
Caroline Kennedy is hardly a Sarah Palin whose total lack of knowledge on any important issue helped to boost the ratings of Saturday Night Live and have the star shine brighter on Tina Fey. The aforementioned Representative's frustrations are shared by NY Attorney General Andrew Cuomo who also covets the Senate seat. This is a result of all the air being sucked out of the room when Caroline Kennedy made public her interest in the job. The NY Times has more here.
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