Clinton, Obama Both Inflate Senate Records

Kennedy's death left a void—and no one is stepping up to fill it

(NEWSER) - As Democrats fight among themselves over health care, it’s becoming painfully clear that they lack a clear public leader on the issue, writes Manu Raju for Politico. In part it’s because, with a number of House and Senate committees involved, there are too many cooks stirring the pot, and in part because there’s no Ted Kennedy-esque figure who commands respect. Liberals distrust Max Baucus; Chris Dodd, who stepped in for Kennedy and drafted a competing bill, is more focused on financial reform. More»

Baucus leads 'Board of Directors' in tough bipartisan negotiations

(NEWSER) - If Barack Obama succeeds in overhauling America's health care system by the end of 2009, he'll have to thank a bipartisan group of nine senators charged with developing a bill that can muster 60 votes. The "Board of Directors"—named by Max Baucus, Obama's go-to figure for health reform—has been holding weekly meetings to flesh out a deal, but as Politico reports, it's been slow going. More»

(NEWSER) - The Senate passed its version of the $838 billion stimulus bill today, in a 61-37 vote, the Wall Street Journal reports. Three moderate Republicans—Susan Collins, Arlen Specter, and Olympia Snowe—jumped across the aisle to prevent a filibuster. Now the House and Senate must reconcile the differences between their bills, in the hope of getting it onto President Obama’s desk within a week. More»

NY governor playing 'mind games' with media in delaying announcement

(NEWSER) - Her rivals for Hillary Clinton’s senate seat believe Caroline Kennedy is “certain” to succeed her, sources close to several contenders tell the New York Post. Gov. David Paterson thinks dissing Kennedy at this point would “greatly embarrass” and “entirely humiliate” her and her family—and potentially displease President-elect Obama, a clan ally. More»

'I'll always be 'a Senate man,'' says VP-elect

(NEWSER) - Joe Biden and Hillary Clinton said farewell to the Senate today as they prepare for their new jobs in the Obama administration. Clinton said she was “gratified” by her 16-1 confirmation as Secretary of State by the Foreign Relations Committee, and she thanked her colleagues for being “wonderful teachers and mentors," Fox News reports. More»