Barack Obama

(Newser) - Curious to check out this “historic inauguration” thing everyone’s talking about? The Presidential Inaugural Committee is giving away 10 tickets—plus an equal number for guests—to the winners of an essay contest on what Barack Obama’s swearing-in means to them, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. The committee is also encouraging small donations in an effort to rid the inauguration of corporate and lobbyist sponsorships. For entry forms, click on the link. More »

(Newser) - The incoming Obama administration plans to launch a nationwide political push for a quick passage of his $775 billion economic stimulus plan, the Los Angeles Times reports. Says adviser David Axelrod: “There shouldn't be endless debate about it.” Republicans acknowledge that they can’t stop his plan, but they hope to delay and modify it. More »

(Newser) - A blackout hit Barack Obama’s Hawaii vacation home last week, but his inauguration next month will be lit up with plenty of star power. Hollywood A-listers have been shelling out top dollar to help pay for the president-elect’s big day, Politico reports. Donors include Halle Berry, Jamie Foxx, Steven and Kate Spielberg, Sharon Stone, Berry Gordy, Tom Hanks, and Jeffrey Katzenberg—who contributed $50,000 each. More »

(Newser) - A still-grieving Jennifer Hudson’s first performance since her family tragedy may be at Barack Obama’s inauguration, the New York Post reports. Organizers have asked Hudson to sing the national anthem, which she also performed at the Democratic National Convention. Hudson, whose mother, sister, and nephew were murdered in October, “is from Chicago and a huge Obama supporter,” the source said. More »

(Newser) - If Barack Obama caught Rod Blagojevich’s press conference yesterday, in which he named Roland Burris to fill the vacant Senate seat, Obama probably saw everything he doesn’t miss about Illinois. Each member of the trio on stage—Blagojevich, Burris, and Rep. Bobby Rush—claims a history with Obama, notes the Washington Post . Burris called Obama “someone whose career I really helped launch,” and Rush claimed, “I helped teach him.” More »

(Newser) - Barack Obama, who has mostly avoided the capital since the election, will move his family into a hotel suite this weekend, aides tell the New York Times . The girls will start school Monday and Obama will begin working with the new Congress on his stimulus package. While the Times didn't disclose the mystery hotel, MSNBC reports that it's the Hay Adams, which advertises itself as "as close as you can get to staying at the White House without a personal invitation from the president." More »

(Newser) - With the Cabinet-pick mania waning, Beltway buffs are left speculating on whether first granny Marian Robinson will join the Obamas in their new residence. One poll places the move-in likelihood at 70%, and there's a petition going that supports "her presence in the Obama White House." Even Barack Obama, in uncharacteristic son-in-law fashion, says he "hopes" she'll move in, the Boston Globe reports. More »