Democratic Chatter 1-26-2009

George Wenschhof Bio

President Barack Obama to direct EPA to allow States environmental protection flexibility - in yet another reversal of positions taken by the George W. Bush administration, President Obama is expected to to sign an executive order this morning. The order would allow the Environmental Protection Agency to process and approve stricter tailpipe emissions regulations California and 13 other states want to enact. The NY Times has more here.

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Senator Russ Feingold (D-Wis.) will introduce constitutional amendment to change the way vacant U.S. Senate seats are filled - recently, the method of having the Governor appoint vacant Senate seats has been exposed for scrutiny due to the many open seats resulting from appointments to the Obama administration. New York with the Caroline Kennedy media circus and of course Illinois with Governor Rod Blagojevich being arrested in an alleged "pay-to-play" scheme has brought tons of attention to this section in the constitution. Senator Feingold says it is time to begin holding special elections to replace Senators who leave prior to the end of their term. ThePage.time.com has his statement here.

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Meanwhile, the "Blago watch" continues - the impeachment trial is scheduled to begin today for Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich. He is refusing to take part, saying the state senate impeachment trial is unfair and he is not even being allowed to have witnesses testify. Instead, he has gone on a frenzied media tour, appearing on whatever show will have him. One of the more outlandish statements made so far is his admission he had considered appointing Oprah to the vacant Senate seat. Tonight, he appears on CNN Larry King Live at 9:00 PM ET. The Chicago Tribune has more here.

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Over in Minnesota, the Norm Coleman trial begins - the incumbent Republican Senator filed suit challenging the mandated recount results by the state canvassing board which certified Democrat Al Franken the winner by 225 votes. The argument will try to show errors in the recount. Hopefully, this drama will end soon with this Senate seat filled by Franken. CNN.com has more here.

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House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-SC) says comprehensive heathcare reform will not happen this year - he was remembering the healthcare reform failure by Hillary Clinton back in 1994 when she tried to push it through in President Clinton's first year in office. However, his statement is at odds with Senator Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.) who has promised comprehensive healthcare reform in 2009. Kennedy is suffering from brain cancer. TheHill.com has more here.

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Democratic Chatter 1-17-2009

George Wenschhof Bio

Today, President-elect Barack Obama begins his Whistle Stop Tour - He and his family will depart from Philadelphia this morning and head to Wilmington, Delaware to be joined by Vice President-elect Joe Biden and his family. After a late afternoon stop in Baltimore, the final destination will be Washington, D.C. - We posted the schedule yesterday and it can be seen here.

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Solis nomination for Labor Secretary receives Republican opposition - Representative Hilda Solis continues to receive opposition that threatens to derail her nomination. The republican opposition surrounds her ties with Labor and her vague answers to questions pertaining to right-to-work laws and the card check bill. Politico.com has more here.

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Minnesota Senate race may be determined soon - the Coleman campaign challenge has been scheduled for January 26. Democrat Al Franken won the state mandated recount by 225 votes and was certified the winner by the state canvassing board but due to the legal challenge has not been able to be seated in the Senate. The Minneapolis Star-tribune has more here.

As to the only other open senate seat, NY Governor David Paterson has said he will make his decision on the person to fill the vacant Hillary Clinton Senate immediately following the Inauguration. Caroline Kennedy and Andrew Cuomo are the favorites to receive this appointment.

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Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich update - His lawyer, Ed Gensen has informed the Governor he will not defend him in the upcoming impeachment proceedings in the Illinois Senate. The reason was the rules were not fair. Gensen will continue to represent the Governor in the criminal charges against him. NBC affiliate has more here.

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No job for outgoing DNC chair Howard Dean in Obama administration - Howard Dean will step down as chair of the Democratic National Committee the day after the Inauguration of the President-elect and Virginia Governor Tim Kaine will be his replacement. To date, there have been no offers forthcoming from the incoming Obama administration. This, in spite of his successful 50 state strategy which was embraced by the Obama campaign. MSNBC.com has more here.

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Democratic Chatter 1-14-2009

George Wenschhof Bio

President-elect Barack Obama and Vice President-elect Joe Biden to visit Supreme Court today - in what has become a tradition, they were invited by Chief Justice John G. Roberts. The Washington Post has more here.

Joe Biden is also expected to brief Obama today on his recent trip to Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iraq.

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Obama's pick for Treasury Secreatary Tim Geithner receives tough confirmation hearing - turns out the pick who would among other things oversee the IRS, failed to pay some $42,000 in taxes and had a housekeeper whose work permit had expired. The back taxes were paid prior to his nomination and most pundits feel the appointment will be confirmed. Politico.com has more here.

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Three more Confirmation Hearings today - up today are Lisa Jackson for Secretary of the Environmental Protection Agency, Tom Vilsak for Agriculture Secretary and Eric Shinseki for Secretary of Veteran Affairs. The Wall Street Journal has more here.

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Legal Battles continue in Minnesota senate race - Governor Pawlenty and the Secretary of State have refused to certify the election results from the canvassing board recount which showed a win by Franken due to legal challenges by the Coleman campaign. The Franken campaign has now filed suit with the State Supreme Court asking for certification of their victory. CNN.com has more here.

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Roland Burris to be sworn in tomorrow as new Illinois Senator - seems embattled Illinois governor rod Blagojevich won this one. Now speculation begins as to whether Republicans will use this appointment as fodder to crticize Democrats. The other big question is will Burris run in 2010? Politico.com has more here.

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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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Democratic Chatter 1-6-2009

George Wenschhof Bio

President-elect Barack Obama to meet with his economic team today - it is now two weeks until Inauguration Day and today he will be discussing the budget, the economy and ways to reduce the spiraling budget deficit facing the national budget. ThePage.Time.com has more here.

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New Congress to be sworn in today - the perfunctory action has added drama this year as Roland Burris will show up to be sworn in as the new Senator from Illinois and Al Franken may show up as the new Senator from Minnesota. Senate Majority Leader has said neither one will be seated. For Burris, it is due to the cloud surrounding Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich who appointed him to fill the vacant Obama Senate seat. For Franken, it is due to the legal challenges to be filed by his opponent Norm Coleman. Franken was declared the winner by 225 votes yesterday by the state canvassing board after the recount of 2.9 million votes. Coleman has seven days to file a legal challenge before the vote can be certified.

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Obama announces Panetta for CIA and Blair for National Intelligence - Retired Admiral Dennis Blair was expected to be named as Director of National Intelligence. The surprise pick, which is already drawing fire from the Hill, was Leon Panetta as CIA Director. Panetta was former chief of staff for the Clinton administration and has little intelligence field background. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calf.) who will chair the Senate select Committee on intelligence said she was not consulted by the Obama administration and felt the position should be filled with someone with experience in the field. The Washington Post has more here.

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Xavier Becerra rumored to be a contender for Commerce Secretary - the eight term Democratic Representative from California had earlier been offered the position of U.S. Trade representative and he turned it down. With the withdrawal of Governor Richardson, Hispanic leaders have indicated they would like to see another Latino nominated for the position. You can read more here.

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NY Governor David Paterson sends questionnaire to contenders for Cinton's soon to be vacant Senate seat - Reportedly, the questionnaire was sent to Caroline Kennedy, Representatives Steve Israel, Carolyn Maloney, Kristen Gillibrand, and Jerrold Nadler. Also Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi. The NY Times has more here.

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Obama announces Justice Department picks - Dawn Johnson to head office of legal counsel, David Ogden for deputy attorney general, Elena Hagan for solicitor general, and Tom Perrelli as associate attorney general. They will be replacing those who provided the justification for the Bush administration use of harsh interrogation techniques, detention of terrorist suspects and more. McClatchydc.com has a good read here.

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Democratic Chatter 1-4-2009

George Wenschhof Bio

President-elect Barack Obama heads to Washington D.C. today - he will join his wife and daughters who arrived in D.c. yesterday. It is now 16 days until Inauguration Day.

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Israel begins military ground campaign in Gaza - after eight days of air strikes, Israel has invaded Gaza. CNN.com has more here. This was a highly expected move by Israel as they want to disrupt the military presence of Hamas. This is one more serious international issue to confront the incoming Obama administration and his national security team. Over 400 have died and another 2500 have been injured since Israel began their air strikes.

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Will Roland Burris, Illinois Governor Blagojevich's appointment to fill the vacant Obama Senate seat show up Tuesday when Congress convenes on Tuesday? - we will find out shortly. Mr Burris, former Illinois State Attorney did schedule a meeting with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) for Wednesday. Also at that meeting will be Illinois senator and Assistant Majority Leader dick Durbin (D-Ill.) The Chicago Tribune Swamppolitics.com has more here.

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Terry McAuliffe announces run for Governor of Virginia - He was referred to by many as "McAwful" when he served as chair of the Democratic National Committee. He recently served as a national chair of Senator Clinton's Presidential campaign. His national contacts are sure to help him in fund raising but how he comes across to the voters is yet to be determined. TheHill.com has more on his announcement here.

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Al Franken's lead increases in Minnesota - the contested race for the Minnesota Senate seat continued with Democrat Al Franken increasing his lead to 225 over Republican incumbent Norm Coleman. This after 900 absentee ballots were counted. The Coleman campaign has asked the state Supreme court to add additional absentee ballots and that ruling is expected soon. However, it is not possible for the candidate to be certified prior to when Congress convenes on Tuesday. In addition, the losing candidate has seven days after the state canvassing board has indicated the winner to file suit in court. Minnesota Republican Governor Tim Pawlenty has indicated he will not have the state certify the winner until all legal challenges are over. Politico.com has more here.

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