MONDAY NEWS UPDATE.

RICHARDSON WITHDRAWS FROM CABINET POST; FRANKEN WINS; KAINE TO CHAIR DNC; REID TAKES LAST SHOTS AT BUSH; McAULIFFE ENTERS VA GOV RACE.

OBAMA CABINET. New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson (D) has withdrawn his name from entering the confirmation process to be Commerce Secretary in President-elect Barack Obama's new cabinet. Richardson acknowledged he is under federal investigation for ties with a bond company that did business with New Mexico state government, after making contributions to groups connected with Richardson. "I [withdraw] with great sorrow. But a pending investigation of a company that has done business with New Mexico state government promises to extend for several weeks or, perhaps, even months," a statement from Richardson reads. "Let me say unequivocally that I and my Administration have acted properly in all matters and that this investigation will bear out that fact. But I have concluded that the ongoing investigation also would have forced an untenable delay in the confirmation process. Given the gravity of the economic situation the nation is facing, I could not in good conscience ask the President-elect and his Administration to delay for one day the important work that needs to be done." Obama has accepted his withdrawal. Richardson said he will remain as Governor "for now." Richardson -- who previously served in the Clinton Administration Cabinet -- was a candidate for President last year. After being passed over as the VP runningmate, and later as Secretary of State, Richardson was then offered the post of Commerce Secretary by Obama.

MINNESOTA. In a remarkable turn of events since election night, the Minnesota State Canvassing Board on Monday will formally certify that Democratic challenger Al Franken defeated US Senator Norm Coleman (R) by 225 votes. Over the past month, state officials did a hand recount of every ballot cast in the race. Once the certification paperwork is signed, Coleman has seven days under state law to challenge the certification in court. Based upon the certification, Senate Democrats want to provisionally seat Franken on Tuesday -- along with the other incoming Senators -- as he will be the state-certified winner. Senate Republicans are vowing to block the move until the court challenge is resolved. However, some precedent exists for provisionally seating Franken. The Senate provisionally seated Mary Landrieu (D-LA) in 1996, even though her GOP opponent's legal challenge was still pending on the day the term began.

DNC. Virginia Governor Tim Kaine has been tapped to serve as the next Democratic National Chair. Kaine succeeds former Vermont Governor Howard Dean, who did not seek another term. Traditionally, the sitting President gets to name the chair of his own party -- and Kaine is Obama's choice to lead the party. Kaine previously served as Mayor of Richmond and Lieutenant Governor before being elected Governor in 2005. Kaine was considered one of the final three "short-listed" to be Barack Obama's possible Vice Presidential runningmate. Kaine will serve as a part-time basis as DNC Chair until his term as Governor ends in January of 2010.

BUSHED. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) stated his belief that George W. Bush is "the worst" President in the US history. Reid pointed to Bush's failed plan to privatize social security and also said Bush has done his best "to destory Medicare." Reid made his remarks on MSNBC's Meet the Press.

VIRGINIA. As expected, former DNC Chairman Terry McAuliffe announced this weekend he will be a candidate for Governor this year. McCauliffe, a top advisor to President Bill Clinton, served as the national chairman from 2001-05. He served as National Chair of Senator Hillary Clinton's unsuccessful Presidential campaign in 2008. McAuliffe faces State Senator Creigh Deeds and former State Representative Brian Moran in the Democratic Primary. The winner will face Attorney General Bob McDonnell (R) in the general election.

FACEBOOK. Please send Vin your thoughts on what you would like to see on Politics1 this year in terms of news coverage and articles. Send your thoughts, suggestions, comments and predictions to Vin via Facebook by clicking here.
Daily Report by Vin Gopal - Email Vin - Facebook Vin - 01.05.09 | Permalink |

WEEKEND NEWS UPDATE.

COLEMAN-FRANKEN RECOUNT NEARS END; COLORADO GOV NAMES NEW US SENATOR.

MINNESOTA. The Minnesota Supreme Court kept the door open for another possible intervention in the state's still unresolved US Senate race between incumbent Republican Norm Coleman and Democratic challenger Al Franken. Coleman's campaign is asking the court to hear arguments that no organized guidelines are being followed in how improperly rejected absentee ballots are added to the recount. Local officials have identified close to 1,350 ballots that may have been rejected by mistake. Franken currently leads by close to 50 votes. Meanwhile, MSNBC's Norah O'Donnell predicts that a winner will be determined by next week. Counting of the disputed absentee ballots is set to take place on Saturday, barring court action blocking the tallying. Republican Senate Leadership is vowing to filibuster any attempt next week to provisionally seat Franken, unless his election is formally certified in writing by Minnesota Secretary of State Mark Ritchie (D) and Governor Tim Pawlenty (R).

COLORADO. Denver Public Schools Superintendent Michael Bennet will be the next US Senator from Colorado. News sources reported that Governor Bill Ritter (D) will replace departing Senator Ken Salazar (D) with the politically unknown Bennet. Salazar was recently tapped by President-elect Barack Obama to serve as the next Secretary of Interior. According to several sources close to Ritter, Bennet beat out Denver mayor John Hickenlooper. The Governor will make a formal announcement on Saturday afternoon. Prior to becoming Superintendent of Denver Public Schools, Bennet served as Chief of Staff to Hickenlooper.

NEXT WEEK ON POLITICS1. We'll provide full analysis of the new Congress, an introduction to the incoming freshmen (as well as reporting on the seats which recently became vacant due to Obama Administration appointments). Stay tuned.
Daily Report by Vin Gopal - Email Vin - Facebook Vin - 01.03.09 | Permalink |

FRIDAY NEWS UPDATE.

PELL DIES; HOLLYWOOD DONATES; ROBERTS SAYS FED JUDGES NEED MORE MONEY; MEDIA SPECULATION ON BILL CLINTON AND MARIO CUOMO AS POSSIBLE NY SENATE SEAT CARETAKERS.

RHODE ISLAND. Retired six-term US Senator Claiborne Pell (D-RI), who was largely responsible for the creation of what arenow known as "Pell Grants" for US college students, passed away on Thursday at the age of 90. Pell -- a Yankee patrician and former US Foreign Service diplomat -- represented Rhode Island in the US Senate from 1961 to 1997. He served as Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee from 1987 to 1994. A strong advocate for education, Pell was also the main sponsor of the bill creating the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities.

INAUGURATION. Standing with his commitment not to fund the inaugural ceremonies with lobbyist money, President-elect Barack Obama is getting some help from Hollywood. Steven Spielberg, Halle Berry, Sharon Stone, and Jamie Foxx are among the Hollywood stars who have each donated the maximum $50,000 individual contribution to the Presidential Inauguration Committee.

FEDERAL JUDICIARY. CNN reports that US Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts is renewing his call for higher judicial pay, warning of long-term damage to the fabric of the courts. "I must renew the judiciary's modest petition: Simply provide cost-of-living increases that have been unfairly denied," wrote Roberts. "We have done our part -- it is long past time for Congress to do its," stated Roberts. He noted Congress recently voted itself as cost of living raise, but did not include the judiciary in the pay increases.

NEW YORK. The AP reports that former President Bill Clinton and former New York Governor Mario Cuomo are both being bandied about as possible caretaker appointments to fill the seat soon to be vacated by Senator Hillary Clinton. CNN's Anderson Cooper says both men have had discussions with Governor David Paterson about filling the vacancy. However, the AP disagrees at least in part, reporting that a "spokesman for Bill Clinton said Wednesday that the former chief executive isn't interested in the job. Cuomo declined through a spokesman to discuss the seat." Media sources repeatedly claim that attorney and author Caroline Kennedy is the current frontrunner to succeed Clinton for the Senate seat.
Daily Report by Vin Gopal - Email Vin - Facebook Vin - 01.02.09 | Permalink |

NEW YEAR'S OPEN THREAD.

FREE SPEECH ZONE. Ron and Vin wish our readers and friends all the best for 2009. Health, happiness, hope and success.
01.01.09 | Permalink |

WEDNESDAY NEWS UPDATE.

BLAGO APPOINTS BURRIS TO SENATE, LEADERSHIP VOWS TO REJECT APPOINTMENT; SENATE GOP THREATENS TO BLOCK FRANKEN FROM BEING SEATED.

ILLINOIS. Embattled and recently arrested Governor Rod Blagojevich (D) has appointed former Illinois Attorney General Roland Burris (D) to fill the US Senate seat left vacant by President-elect Barack Obama. Burris, age 71, has previously been an unsuccessful candidate for US Senate (1984), Governor (1994, 1998, 2002) and Mayor of Chicago (1995). Burris was also the first black elected to statewide office in Illinois. Blagojevich said he filled to vacancy because the state legislature failed to act over the past three weeks to adopt a law requiring a special election to fill the seat. US Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) issued a statement on behalf of all sitting Senate Democrats reaffirming their previous threat that they would refuse to seat anyone appointed by Blagojevich, as any selection by him would be seen as "tainted." Senate Republicans also back the Democratic stance. Later in the day, Obama issued a statement: "Roland Burris is a good man and a fine public servant, but the Senate Democrats made it clear weeks ago that they cannot accept an appointment made by a Governor who is accused of selling this very Senate seat. I agree with their decision, and it is extremely disappointing that Gov. Blagojevich has chosen to ignore it." Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White (D) has previously stated that he would not certify any Blagojevich appointment, but his office now concedes he may lack the legal authority to block the appointment as his certification is viewed as a mere ministerial act. Congressman Bobby Rush (D-IL) praised the selection at the Blagojevich press conference. Rush said Burris was needed in the Senate, as there are currently no blacks in the new Senate. Senator-designate Burris, meanwhile, has been making the rounds on network news. He is vowing that he will fight to be seated.

[Ron's note from his perspective as an attorney: Burris and Blagojevich may ultimately win this fight. In the Adam Clayton Powell case, the US Supreme Court said there are reasonable limits to a chamber's ability to deny seating someone. Unless they can show Burris unqualified to serve, or directly implicated in the scandal, the Senate may be unable to refuse him the seat. Blagojevich as Governor clearly retains the legal authority to appoint someone, regardless of how politically questionable the action. Further, Burris or the Governor could bring a legal action for a writ of mandamus to force White to certify his appointment. As the certification is a ministerial act not validly requiring discretion on the part of the official, White can be forced by a judge to issue the certification. In the end the only way the Senate may be able to "block" Burris is by delaying his seating long enough to put sufficient public pressure on him to voluntarily step aside. However, as Burris is clearly at the end of his political career and likely seeking only to serve as an interim placeholder, Burris may simply not care about public perceptions as he never plans to face the voters again on a ballot. And, FYI, this button is from Burris' 1984 race -- and I liked the irony today of his old slogan.]

MINNESOTA. Humorist Al Franken (D) now holds a 50 vote lead over US Senator Norm Coleman (R). Close to 1350 previously rejected absentee ballots are currently being reviewed, but both sides expect those to widen Franken's current lead. US Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) suggested on Tuesday that the Senate should provisionally seat Franken in January, subject to the outcome of any litigation expected to be filed by Coleman. The US Senate Republicans issued a sharply worded response: "Al Franken is falsely declaring victory based on an artificial lead created on the back of the double counting of ballots. His campaign's actions in the last several days on the issues of rejected absentee ballots are creating additional chaos and disorder in the Minnesota recount. Those actions, coupled with the recent comments by Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, who suggests seating someone even if there is an election contest, are unprecedented. Minnesotans will not accept a recount in which some votes are counted twice, and I expect the Senate would have a problem seating a candidate who has not duly won an election." Stay tuned to see who -- if anyone -- is seated on January 5. Governor Tim Pawlenty (R) has previously said he would consider appointing an interim caretaker to fill the seat until the election outcome is resolved.
Daily Report by Vin Gopal - Email Vin - Facebook Vin - 12.31.08 | Permalink |

TUESDAY NEWS UPDATE.

EMANUEL FORMALLY RESIGNS HOUSE SEAT; COLEMAN-FRANKEN UPDATE; AND JERSEY CITY MAYOR NEWS.

ILLINOIS. Congressman Rahm Emanuel (D) formally resigned his seat in the United States House of Representatives. The three-term Democrat submitted his letter of resignation to Governor Rod Blagojevich on Monday, making his resignation effective January 2nd. Emanuel was appointed by President-elect Barack Obama to serve as the next White House Chief of Staff. A special election is expected to happen in Spring 2009, and several Democrats have already announced their candidacies. They include State Representatives Sara Feigenholtz and Deb Mell, Cook County Commissioner Mike Quigley, Chicago Alderman Gene Schulter and several others (see Ron's Illinois Page for the full list). The only announced Republican is 2008 GOP nominee and real estate broker Tom Hanson. The CD-5 seat is solidly Democratic.

MINNESOTA. US Senator Norm Coleman (R) -- after publicly criticizing challenger Al Franken (D) for his successful legal push to have 1,346 absentee ballots counted which were accidentally disqualified in error on election day -- is now demanding that an additional 654 rejected absentee ballots from other counties also be tallied. NBC News, however, says that these 654 absentee ballots were rejected for reasons other then the clerical mistakes involving the other 1,346 ballots. NBC reported that the 654 ballots are mainly absentee ballots submitted by voters who voted in person on election day, returned ballots where the name on the absentee envelope doesn't match the name of the requesting voter, and ballots where the voter signatures did not match. The Franken campaign did not agree to allow the 654 additional absentee ballots to be counted. Franken currently leads by 46 votes -- but the 1,346 absentee ballots (once they tabulated by January 5) are expected to extend Franken's lead because they mainly come from heavily Democratic counties. As Franken is expected to be certified the winner when the state canvassing board meets next week, Coleman's campaign is already vowing to challenge the certification in court.

NEW JERSEY. The May 2009 race for control of New Jersey's largest city is in full gear. Jersey City Mayor Jeremiah Healy (D) is seeking re-election to a second full term. Announced Democratic challengers include State Assemblyman and former City Council President L. Harvey Smith and former State Assemblyman Lou Manzo. Manzo lost narrowly to Healy last time around. The only announced Republican candidate is former Jersey City Mayor two-time gubernatorial candidate Bret Schundler. Healy sits well-positioned for re-election, with over $1 million dollars cash on hand, he was also a major early backer of Barack Obama -- whereas most of the New Jersey political establishment had backed Hillary Clinton during the primaries. The May 2009 elections are nonpartisan. If no candidate receives over 50%, a runoff election will take place with the top two candidates.
Daily Report by Vin Gopal - Email Vin - Facebook Vin - 12.30.08 | Permalink |

MONDAY NEWS UPDATE.

CONDI RICE SAYS '08 WAS NOT REFENDUM ON BUSH; IL LT GOV SAYS BLAGO WILL BE IMPEACHED; RNC CHAIR CANDIDATE IN HOT WATER FOR "BARACK THE MAGIC NEGRO" SONG.

BUSH ADMINISTRATION: Speaking on CBS News on Sunday, Secretary of State Condi Rice explicitly said she didn't believe the 2008 elections was in any way a referendum on President Bush as "he was already re-elected in 2004" and wasn't running this year. Rice also said the American public will soon "start to thank this president for what he's done ... [because] he has delivered policies that are going to stand the test of time."

ILLINOIS: Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn (D) on Sunday predicted that Governor Rod Blagojevich (D) will be impeached by February, and a special election to fill Barack Obama's open US Senate seat will likely occur in June 2009.

RNC CHAIR: Chip Saltsman -- former Tennessee GOP Chair and former Huckabee for President campaign manager -- is drawing fire from within his own party for distributing a CD disc to RNC members which featured the "Barack the Magic Negro" parody song. Saltsman called it "light hearted" and "good humored." Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich disagreed and blasted it: "This is so inappropriate that it should disqualify any Republican National Committee candidate who would use it. There are no grounds for demeaning [Obama] or for using racist descriptions." Michigan GOP Chair Saul Anuzis, another RNC Chair candidate, said distributing the song was "in bad taste." Incumbent RNC Chair Mike Duncan, who is seeking re-election, said he was "shocked and appalled that anyone would think this is appropriate, as it clearly does not move us in the right direction." By contrast, RNC Chair candidate Ken Blackwell -- a conservative African-American -- dismissed the whole incident as being caused by "hypersensitivity."
Daily Report by Ron Gunzburger - Facebook Ron - 12.29.08 | Permalink |

CHRISTMAS EVE NEWS UPDATE.

With the holidays upon us, we're going to take a few days off from posting updates. If the thread gets too long, we'll post a new open thread, but otherwise the next news update will be on Monday. Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and Happy Kwanzaa.

STATE BOARD GIVES FRANKEN 48 VOTE LEAD AFTER RULING ON ALL CHALLENGES; EMANUEL HAD MINIMAL CONTACT WITH BLAGO; BIDEN SAYS NO EARMARKS.

MINNESOTA. As reported yesterday, the Minnesota Canvassing Board has now reviewed and ruled upon all challenged ballots in the US Senate race between humorist Al Franken (D) and incumbent Norm Coleman (R). With all of those ballots now disposed of, Franken leads by 48 votes. Franken's lead is expected to widen once the roughly 1,600 absentee ballots mistakenly invalidated in the original count are tabulated, as ordered by the Minnesota Supreme Court. Coleman's only remaining hope for victory is to succeed in his court challenge to throw out 133 "lost" Franken votes that he believes were wrongly counted twice. The state board previously rejected Coleman's arguments and ruled the 133 votes were valid and had not been counted twice.

BLAGOJEVICH. CNN reported that an internal report compiled by the Obama transition team shows that President-elect Barack Obama was interviewed by the office of US Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald as part of Fitzgerald's criminal probe into embattled Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich (D). An internal report compiled by the Obama Transition Team concludes that neither President-elect Obama nor his aides -- including incoming White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel -- had any "inappropriate" contacts with Blagojevich or his staff. The report states that there is "no indication of inappropriate discussions with the governor or anyone from his office about a 'deal' or a quid pro quo arrangement in which he would receive a personal benefit in return for any specific appointment to fill the vacancy." Emanuel apparently had only one direct phone call with Blagojevich, shortly after being tapped for his new post, and was largely pro forma in nature. As Fitzgerald's office apparently has recordings of all the Blagojevich phone calls during the relevant period of time, most media sources presume the Obama account is truthful as it will be easily subject to verification.

ECONOMY. Vice President-elect Joe Biden has pledged that there will be no earmarks in the stimulus plan that he and President-elect Barack Obama are proposing to re-energize the economy.
Daily Report by Vin Gopal - Email Vin - Facebook Vin - 12.24.08 | Permalink |

TUESDAY NEWS UPDATE.

FRANKEN ON VERGE OF MN RECOUNT VICTORY; PALIN DISPUTES McCAIN CAMP'S CLAIMS.

MINNESOTA. According to Minneapolis Star-Tribune, the Minnesota Canvassing Board will certify that humorist Al Franken (D) has apparently defeated US Senator Norm Coleman (R) by roughly 48 votes. The newspaper reviewed an advance "draft copy" of the Board's official report. The new unofficial numbers include most of the allocated votes, but not those from some unresolved ballot challenges. Franken's campaign has declared victory. So has Coleman's campaign, as they maintain the state board wrongly counted roughly 133 "missing" Franken votes twice, which would mean Coleman edged Franken by about 85 votes. "Their lead is not real," said a statement issued by the Coleman campaign. The Board's tally does not include the approximately 1,600 absentee ballots that were mistakenly rejected that the Supreme Court last week ordered to be counted before the final certification. Observers expect Franken will benefit more than Coleman from those votes, based upon where they were cast. The Minnesota Supreme Court heard arguments Monday from the Coleman campaign that perhaps 130 ballots from DFL strongholds were counted twice. Franken's attorney maintains there was no double-counting of votes. All of the counting is expected to finish by December 31.

McCAIN VS. PALIN. Governor Sarah Palin (R-AK) said her biggest regret during the 2008 campaign was not doing more news interviews. Palin said that the McCain campaign did not allow her to do many interviews. Palin said she was grateful for the opportunity to run with John McCain and did not want to argue with his advisors about campaign strategy. These comments come after months of visible tension between the Palin and McCain campaign staffs. Recently, the Arizona Senator said he would not necessarily support Palin if she ran for the GOP nomination in 2012. A bit of trivia: several recent party nominees did not back their runningmates in later runs. 2004 Democratic nominee John Kerry backed Barack Obama for the 2008 Democratic Nomination over his former runningmate John Edwards. 2000 Democratic nominee Al Gore backed Howard Dean for the 2004 nomination over his former runningmate Joe Lieberman. Not surprisingly, former President George H.W. Bush endorsed his son over his former runningmate Dan Quayle for the 2000 GOP nomination.
Daily Report by Vin Gopal - Email Vin - Facebook Vin - 12.23.08 | Permalink |

MONDAY NEWS UPDATE.

BIDEN TO PLAY ACTIVE ROLE IN W.H. DECISIONS; CLINTON DEBT DROPS; MN RECOUNT CONTINUES.

SHORT-TAKES. OBAMA: Vice President-elect Joe Biden told ABC News on Sunday why he agreed to be Barack Obama's runningmate four months ago. "I said, 'I don't want to be picked unless you're picking me for my judgment. I don't want to be the guy that goes out and has a specific assignment. ... I want a commitment from you that in every important decision you'll make, every critical decision, economic and political, as well as foreign policy, I'll get to be in the room.'" Obama agreed to those terms ... CLINTON: Hillary Clinton's campaign debt is down to just $6.4 million. Her campaign has only 16 creditors, with Mark Penn being one of the largest ones. She is racing to pay down the debt before taking office as Secretary of State, a role that prohibit Clinton from personally raising money for her campaign committee ... MINNESOTA: The Coleman-Franken recount will continue this week. Based upon the current count, and information being circulated by both camps, it looks as if Franken will win by roughly 50-80 votes when everything is finished. Coleman is already contemplating a lawsuit to challenge the results of the recount ... RON: And, yeah, it's me posting this again. I'm back from Utah -- and Vin is stranded by the weather unable to write anything for today.
Daily Report by Ron Gunzburger - Facebook Ron - 12.22.08 | Permalink |

WEEKEND NEWS UPDATE.

FRANKEN LEADS COLEMAN BY 251; BLAGO "DYING TO SHOW HOW INNOCENT" HE IS; OBAMA TAKES A HOLIDAY.

MINNESOTA. US Senator Norm Coleman (R) lost his lead on Friday as the recount continued. Humorist Al Franken (D) moved into a 251 vote advantage as of the end of the day's count. Franken's challenges to purported Coleman votes were heard earlier in the week. The State Canvassing Board is now completing the Coleman challenges to purported Franken votes -- meaning that this phase of the recount will only increase Franken's lead. In other good news for Franken, the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled that the 1,600 disputed absentee ballots -- valid ballots initially disqualified incorrectly for alleged flaws -- must also be counted. The bottom line: Franken appears heading to a likely win in the recount. Coleman's campaign has vowed to fight the contest in the courts if they do not prevail in the recount. Speaking of Coleman and courts, the Senator and his wife this week each retained separate criminal defense attorneys to deal with corruption allegations that wealthy businessman and longtime Coleman friend Nasser Kazeminy tried illegally to funnel him $75,000 related to a business deal. According to Fox News, the FBI refused to confirm or deny that Coleman is the target of a corruption probe.

ILLINOIS. Governor Rod Blagojevich (D) made brief remarks at a press conference on Friday in which he claimed he was totally innocent of the federal corruption charges for which he was arrested last week. "I will fight, I will fight, I will fight until I take my last breath. I have done nothing wrong. I'm not going to quit a job that people have hired me to do ... I am dying to answer these charges. I am dying to show you how innocent I am ... I have on my side the most powerful ally there is, and it is the truth," said Blagojevich. Considering the details of the wiretapped phone calls recorded by the feds, it seems hard to square the Governor's denials with the facts revealed to date. Democratic and Republican leaders in the state were united in their calls for Blagojevich to resign. "He is duty-bound to step aside under these perilous times and circumstances," said Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn (D). "We heard 'fight, fight, fight' instead of 'resign, resign, resign,' said State Senator Matt Murphy (R). Later in the day, Balgojevich issued 22 gubernatorial pardons. No word yet as to whether the Gov was able to monetize them -- possibly to finance his criminal defense legal team.

OBAMA. Having completed his entire Cabinet selections, Barack Obama and family leave on Saturday for a week-long holiday vacation in Hawaii.
Daily Report by Ron Gunzburger - Facebook Ron - 12.20.08 | Permalink |

FRIDAY NEWS UPDATE.

COLEMAN LEADS FRANKEN BY ONLY FIVE VOTES; SOLIS, KIRK ARE FINAL CABINET PICKS; HOEKSTRA RETIRES; INOUYE LEADS LINGLE FOR '10.

MINNESOTA. CNN reported that Governor Tim Pawlenty (R) is already exploring making an interim appointment of a caretaker to fill US Senator Norm Coleman's (R) seat if the race is not decided by the January 5, 2009, swearing-in date for the next Congress. The recount is continuing and both Coleman and challenger Al Franken (D) are talking about bringing court challenges if each is not declared the winner. According to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Coleman currently leads by just five votes as of Thursday evening. The newspaper now projects -- based upon the state canvassing board's rulings on challenged ballots -- that Franken will likely win by approximately 90 votes when the recount is completed.

OBAMA CABINET. President-elect Barack Obama on Friday will name Congresswoman Hilda Solis (D-CA) as the next Labor Secretary and former Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk to be US Trade Representative. Retired Admiral Dennis Blair has been tapped to become the new Director of National Intelligence. Obama has yet to name a new CIA Director, likely signalling that current Director Michael Hayden may continue serving for a few more months before being replaced.

MICHIGAN. Congressman Pete Hoekstra (R) announced this week he will not seek re-election in 2010. Hoekstra said he has yet to decide if he will run for Governor in 2010 or simply retire from politics. State Representative Bill Huizenga (R) -- a former Hoekstra aide -- immediately announced his candidacy for the open CD-2 seat. Term-limited State Senator Wayne Kuipers (R) is also considering either seeking the CD-2 seat or running for Governor in 2010.

HAWAII. A new Research 2000 poll shows US Senator Dan Inouye (D) holding an eleven-point lead over his strongest possible GOP challenger for 2010. Inouye leads term-limited Governor Linda Lingle (R) by a vote of 53% to 42%.
Daily Report by Ron Gunzburger - Facebook Ron - 12.19.08 | Permalink |

THURSDAY NEWS UPDATE.

GOP CONGRESSMAN TO BE TRANSPORTATION SECY; BROWNBACK ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT (AGAIN); OBAMA MAKES CONTROVERSIAL CONSERVATIVE PICK FOR INAUGURAL INVOCATION.

OBAMA CABINET. President-elect Barack Obama is set to name retiring Congressman Ray LaHood (R-IL) to be the next Secretary of Transportation. LaHood -- a GOP centrist who worked well with colleagues on both sides of the aisle -- came to national fame for presiding over President Bill Clinton's impeachment debate in the House. Obama will also name Mary Schapiro as new Securities & Exchange Commission Chairwoman. Schapiro -- currently CEO of Wall Street's self-regulatory Financial Industry Regulatory Authority -- previously served as Commodity Futures Trading Commission Chair during the Clinton Administration. Also, the Wall Street Journal reports that UC-Berkeley college professor Harley Shaiken and Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) are purportedly the two finalists for the Labor Secretary spot.

KANSAS. US Senator Sam Brownback (R) will formally announce that he will not seek re-election in 2010. Brownback -- an unsuccessful candidate for the GOP nomination for President in 2008 -- announced two years ago he intended to honor his original two-term term-limits pledge. He is also expected to soon announce his candidacy for Kansas Governor. Governor Kathleen Sebelius (D) is term-limited. Secretary of State Ron Thornburgh (R) is already an announced candidate for Governor, and Lieutenant Governor Mark Parkinson (D) -- a former State GOP Chair -- is also expected to run. Congressman Jerry Moran (R) is already an announced candidate for Brownback's open Senate seat. Other possible Senate candidates include Congressmen Todd Tiahrt (R) and Dennis Moore (D), Governor Sebelius, and recently ousted Congresswoman Nancy Boyda (D).

INAUGURATION. Pastor Rick Warren will give the invocation at President Obama's inauguration ceremony. Warren, who hosted a fall forum in which Obama and McCain participated during the campaign, was a vocal supporter of California's Proposition 8 which banned same-sex marriage. Others with roles in the swearing-in ceremony include singer Aretha Franklin, cellist Yo-Yo Ma, violinist Itzhak Perlman, poet Elizabeth Alexander, the San Francisco Boys and Girls Choirs, and the legendary civil rights leader Rev. Joseph Lowery. The gay rights group Human Rights Campaign quickly denounced the Warren selection as "a genuine blow" to the GLBT movement. Here is how Marc Ambinder of The Atlantic sees the move: "From experience, one can presume that the decision to invite Rick Warren was made because (a) Obama likes the guy, and (b) he knows it would send a message to groups like the HRC, and to conservative Christians who might be wary of the new president. Not so much pandering as it is Obama's deft manipulation of the politics of symbolism. Obviously, Obama disagrees with Rick Warren on important issues. He has said so, many times, and publicly. And he agrees with him on other important issues. And ignoring something like Warren, a mainstream figure who commands the respect of million of Americans, would be foolish. Obama's message is: Rick Warren is a part of Obama's America, too."
Daily Report by Vin Gopal - Email Vin - Facebook Vin - 12.18.08 | Permalink |

WEDNESDAY NEWS UPDATE.

VILSACK TO BE AGRICULTURE SECY; CONGRESSMAN JACKSON ASSISTED FED INVESTIGATION OF BLAGO FOR NEARLY 3 YEARS; REID ENDORSES CAROLINE KENNEDY.

OBAMA CABINET. President-elect Barack Obama is scheduled to announce the nomination of former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack to be the next Agriculture Secretary. Vilsack was briefly a candidate for the 2008 Democratic Presidential nomination, but withdrew well before the Iowa caucuses and endorsed Hillary Clinton. In related news, Congressman Xavier Becerra (D-CA) has declined Obama's invitation to become the next US Trade Representative, a Cabinet-level post. Instead, Becerra decided he wants to serve in his newly elected role as Vice Chair of the House Democratic Caucus.

ILLINOIS. Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. (D) had apparently been volunteering information to federal authorities investigating Governor Rod Blagojevich (D) since at least early 2006. He purportedly told the feds that Blagojevich had tried to shake him down in 2002-03 for $25,000 to have Jackson's wife appointed state lottery director. Jackson also reported info to federal agents on other illegalities involving the Governor. In fact, it is now reported that the US Attorney's office gave Jackson a "heads-up" on Monday afternoon to let him know Blagojevich would be imminently arrested -- as they were aware Jackson had just met that day with Blagojevich. Jackson's office issued a written statement Tuesday evening in an attempt to clarify his involvement with the federal prosecutors: "As a responsible citizen and elected official, Congressman Jackson has in the past provided information to federal authorities regarding his personal knowledge of perceived corruption and governmental misconduct. This was completely unrelated to the current federal investigation regarding the U.S. Senate appointment. And it is absolutely inaccurate to describe the Congressman as an informant."

NEW YORK. US Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) told a Las Vegas Sun columnist that he has already spoken with New York Governor David Paterson (D) and urged him to select attorney Caroline Kennedy to fill Hillary Clinton's soon-to-be vacant Senate seat.
Daily Report by Ron Gunzburger - 12.17.08 | Permalink |

TUESDAY NEWS UPDATE.

SEN SALAZAR TO BE INTERIOR SECY, CHICAGO SCHOOL CHIEF TO BE EDUC SECY; CAROLINE KENNEDY SEEKS NY SEN VACANCY; ELECTORAL COLLEGE OFFICIALLY ELECTS OBAMA.

OBAMA CABINET. President-elect Barack Obama is set later this week to nominate US Senator Ken Salazar (D-CO) to be the next Interior Secretary. Progressive Democrats had been pushing for Congressman Raul Grijalva (D-AZ) to be appointed Interior Secretary -- but Salazar comes from the centrist Blue Dog wing of the party. Colorado Governor Bill Ritter (D) will select someone to fill Salazar's Senate seat -- and the frontrunners include Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper, outgoing State House Speaker Andrew Romanoff, Congresswoman Diana DeGette and Ken Salazar's brother Congressman John Salazar. In other news, Obama will announce Tuesday that Chicago School Superintendent Arne Duncan -- a close friend of Obama -- will be the next Secretary of Education. CNN is also reporting that Time magazine's Jay Carney will become Vice President-elect Joe Biden's Communications Director.

NEW YORK. Attorney and author Caroline Kennedy -- daughter of President John F. Kennedy -- has officially informed Governor David Paterson (D-NT) that she would like be considered for Hillary Clinton's soon to be vacant U.S. Senate seat.

P2008. It's official: Barack Obama has officially been certified to become the next President of the United States by the Electoral College. Electors met on Monday to cast the ballots which legally decide the winner. In the official tally, Obama won 365 electoral votes to Senator John McCain's (R-AZ) 173 electoral votes.
Daily Report by Vin Gopal - Email Vin - Facebook Vin - 12.16.08 | Permalink |

MONDAY NEWS UPDATE.

McCAIN WON'T PLEDGE TO BACK PALIN IN 2012; OBAMA FILLS HUD SPOT; BUSH MAKES SURPRISE IRAQ VISIT, IS PELTED WITH SHOES.

P2012. Speaking to ABC's This Week, Senator John McCain (R-AZ) said he isn't sure whether he would support his former runningmate -- Alaska Governor Sarah Palin -- if she was a candidate for the GOP nomination for President in 2012. McCain pointed out that there are a lot of young Governors in the country who would be good candidates, among others. "Have no doubt of my admiration and respect for her and my view of her viability, but at this stage, again -- my corpse is still warm, you know," said McCain.

OBAMA CABINET. President-elect Barack Obama has chosen former New York City Housing Commissioner Shaun Donovan to be the next Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. Donovan is also an ex-Clinton staffer.

IRAQI FAREWELL. President George W. Bush made a surprise farewell visit to Iraq on Sunday. At a press conference in the prime minister's palace inside of Baghdad's fortified Green Zone, an Iraqi reporter threw both of his shoes at the President. Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki stepped forward to block the flying shoes, and Bush ducked but was not struck by either shoe. Throwing shoes at someone, or sitting with the bottom of a shoe facing another person, is considered a serious insult among Muslims. As the reporter was wrestled to the ground and dragged out of the room, he yelled "This is a farewell, you dog ... You killed the Iraqis." Bush later joked about the incident: "Let me talk about the guy throwing his shoe. It's one way to gain attention. It's like going to a political rally and having people yell at you. It's like driving down the street and having people not gesturing with all five fingers."
Daily Report by Vin Gopal - Email Vin - Facebook Vin - 12.15.08 | Permalink |

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