7 Nominees Confirmed; Clinton Vote Tomorrow

Rep. who walked out on health speech among hoops invitees

(NEWSER) - Four cabinet secretaries and one GOP representative who walked out of President Obama’s joint address to Congress last month are among some 16 invitees for tomorrow’s White House fall basketball game. Rep. John Shimkus is the lone Republican on the list; that Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner has enough game for such a thing came as a surprise to the Chicago Tribune’s Mark Silva, too. More»

Confirmation of State nominee could come within hours

(NEWSER) - Republican Sen. John Cornyn removed his call for a roll-call vote in the confirmation of Hillary Clinton as secretary of State today, paving the way for a quick vote within two hours, the Hill reports. “I intend to vote for her confirmation,” Cornyn said, “but I also believe it’s very important to flesh out some of the concerns” about possible conflicts of interest. More»

Rejection of top deputy marks first Republican KO of nominee

(AP) - Republicans have blocked President Obama's pick for the No. 2 job at the Interior Department because of a flap over oil leases in Utah. In a 57-39 Senate vote, Democrats fell short of the 60 votes they would have needed to advance the nominee past GOP obstacles. It's the first time Republicans have blocked an Obama nominee. More»

(NEWSER) - The sheer number of tax-related problems that have slowed confirmation of Obama nominees has some insisting the process has become tougher, Time reports. Not so, says Sen. Charles Grassley. “We are vetting nominees for the current administration the same way we vetted nominees for the previous administration,” said the ranking Republican on the Finance Committee. More»

(NEWSER) - Republicans have found a glimmer of hope for the 2010 elections and it’s all thanks to one man: Barack Obama. In assembling his high-powered Cabinet, the president has plucked rising Democratic stars out of several now-competitive races, the LA Times reports. Ken Salazar’s appointment throws his Colorado seat up for grabs, and grabbing Kathleen Sebelius has vastly reduced Democrats’ chances for Kansas’ open Senate seat. More»