Obama 2008

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February 2009
- Illinois Pols Offered Me Easy Out: Blago
  
  Chicago Tribune | Feb 3, 09 12:57 PM CST
  
  (Newser) - Rod Blagojevich said today that shortly after his December arrest by federal authorities, he was approached by “leading senators” who offered him a chance to stay on as an “incapacitated governor,” the Chicago Tribune reports. The deal, which the now-impeached governor rejected, would have been contingent on him not appointing a replacement to Barack Obama’s vacant Senate seat. More »
January 2009
- Now, Obama Awaits Overture From Iran
  
  Politico | Jan 31, 09 10:57 AM CST
  
  (Newser) - While Barack Obama is not backing away from his campaign pledge to meet Iran without preconditions, the new administration is hoping Tehran will take the first step toward détente, Politico reports. “If countries like Iran are willing to unclench their fist, they will find an extended hand from us,” Obama said in his Arab TV interview, putting the ball squarely in Tehran’s court. Hillary Clinton followed up by saying, it's "really up to them." More »
- Obama Sneaks Power Back Into the Mix
  
  Politico | Jan 30, 09 1:01 PM CST
  
  (Newser) - Barack Obama’s national security team seems to consist entirely of people known for speaking their minds, observes Ben Smith of Politico, and none moreso than new NSC staff member Samantha Power, best known for calling Hillary Clinton “a monster.” She was booted for the incident, but that was just a “political convenience,” says Smith. “She wasn’t some political operative who had played a dirty trick, but an academic who tripped up.” More »
- War, Not Nation-Building, Will Be Obama's Top Afghan Goal
  
  New York Times | Jan 28, 09 9:08 AM CST
  
  (Newser) - In a departure from Bush policies, the Obama administration intends to ramp up military operations in Afghanistan at the expense of reconstruction, the New York Times reports, shifting the burden of civil work to NATO allies. “If we set ourselves the objective of creating some sort of Central Asian Valhalla over there,” Defense Secretary Robert Gates said yesterday, “we will lose.” More »
- House GOP Pounces on Visiting Obama
  
  Politico | Jan 27, 09 2:09 PM CST
  
  (Newser) - President Obama’s visit with House Republicans on Capitol Hill today, intended as an olive branch, instead turned into a forum for grievances about Obama’s stimulus proposals, Politico reports. The GOP is steadfast in its push for more tax cuts, but Obama isn’t budging, either. “Feel free to whack me over the head,” he said, “because I probably will not compromise on that part.” More »
- Drum Major Suspended for Nodding at Obama
  
  Cleveland Plain Dealer | Jan 26, 09 4:00 PM CST
  
  (Newser) - A Cleveland man who marched as drum major with a firefighters band in last week’s inaugural parade has been suspended for a nod and a wave he gave to President Obama, the Plain Dealer reports. “This was a military parade. Protocol and proper decorum had to be followed at all times,” the bandleader said. John Coleman sees it differently. “I was just acknowledging the president, who was acknowledging our band.” More »
- Obama 'Wants Me to Fail': Limbaugh
  
  New York Post | Jan 26, 09 3:30 PM CST
  
  (Newser) - The verbal back-and-forth between Barack Obama and Rush Limbaugh continued today, as the talk-show host shot back at the president for comments he made last week, the New York Post reports. Obama is “not a unifier and not bipartisan,” Limbaugh said, and “wants me to fail.” Obama had told GOP leaders, “You can’t just listen to Rush Limbaugh and get things done.” More »
- Babs Backs Holder for AG
  
  Politico | Jan 26, 09 1:33 PM CST
  
  (Newser) - Barbra Streisand is using her star power to push for the speedy confirmation of Eric Holder as attorney general, Politico reports. In a letter, Babs asks like-minded people to sign a petition supporting a man who is “committed to liberty, the rule of law, and our constitutional rights.” And she squeezes in an across-the-aisle dig. “We can’t let Republican delays deny the American people the Attorney General they deserve.” More »
- Obama Approval Drops to 68%
  
  Politico | Jan 24, 09 4:41 PM CST
  
  (Newser) - President Obama's poll numbers are sinking back into the stratosphere now that he's in office, Politico reports. The first Gallup poll since his inauguration gives Obama a 68% approval rating, down from 83% a week ago. Just 12% of the most recent sample disapproved of Obama. JFK holds the record for initial job approval, with 72%. More »
- Mitchell to Israel Within the Week
  
  Jerusalem Post (Israel) | Jan 24, 09 3:51 PM CST
  
  (Newser) - Newly appointed Middle East special envoy George Mitchell will make his first trip to Israel next week, possibly as early as Wednesday, the Jerusalem Post reports. Mitchell is expected to meet with top Israeli officials and leaders of the Palestinian Authority. The main priority will be ensuring that the current Gaza cease-fire holds. More in-depth initiatives will likely wait until after Israel’s upcoming elections. More »
- US Airstrikes Signal Tough Approach in Pakistan
  
  Washington Post | Jan 24, 09 12:58 PM CST
  
  (Newser) - US airstrikes on suspected terrorist camps in Pakistan yesterday signal that the Obama administration will continue the aggressive US strategy against extremists in the region, the Washington Post reports. In fact, early signs suggest a tougher approach—and less patience—with the Pakistani government. The attacks, carried out by Predator drones based across the border in Afghanistan, killed at least 20 people, with one "high-value" target thought to be among the dead. More »
- Obama: Stimulus Isn't Just a Short-Term Fix
  
  New York Times | Jan 24, 09 12:17 PM CST
  
  (Newser) - In a bid to build popular support, President Obama revealed more details of his economic stimulus plan today, as debate between Democrats and Republicans in Congress over the package raged on, the New York Times reports. Obama painted the measure as an investment in the country’s future, not just a jobs plan, that includes 3,000 miles of new power lines and guarantees of health insurance to 8.5 million people in danger of losing coverage. More »
- Obama Lifts Abortion 'Gag Rule'
  
  Reuters | Jan 23, 09 4:57 PM CST
  
  (Newser) - President Obama today overturned the “gag rule” prohibiting the US from funding groups that provide abortions or abortion counseling overseas, Reuters reports. The policy has been enforced and rescinded depending on the Oval Office occupant since it was instituted under President Reagan. Unlike yesterday's high-profile signing ceremony, today's executive order was signed without the media present. More »
- Obama Tells GOP Foes on Stimulus: 'I Won'
  
  Politico | Jan 23, 09 3:32 PM CST
  
  (Newser) - President Obama listened to Republican gripes about his stimulus plan today, then calmly reminded them that "I won," Politico reports. The GOP is seeking more middle-class tax cuts, among other things, and says the spending package is too large. Further negotiations are planned, but Dems appear to be in control. Asked if he worried about GOP resistance to passing the bill by Feb. 14, Harry Reid replied, “No.” More »
- Crocker Cautions Against Abrupt Iraq Withdrawal
  
  CNN | Jan 22, 09 4:14 PM CST
  
  (Newser) - The US ambassador to Iraq warned today against an abrupt troop withdrawal, saying it would invite foreign fighters, CNN reports. If we “decide suddenly we’re done, they would certainly work to use space that opened up,” Ryan Crocker said of al-Qaeda. Crocker, who will step down shortly, said President Obama’s plan for withdrawal, if executed wisely, could mesh with the conditions of the US-Iraq security pact. More »
- Matthews Takes Record for Hot Air at Chilly Inauguration
  
  Slate | Jan 22, 09 3:25 PM CST
  
  (Newser) - It's a good thing Chris Matthews didn't run for the Senate after all, Jack Shafer writes for Slate, after listening to the MSNBC star let his mouth run wild Inauguration Day. "Drawing from a larder filled with old anecdotes, unreliable metaphors, wacky intuition, and superficial observations, the always-animated Matthews steers whatever's handy into the hot wok that is his brain," Shafer writes, parsing offending comments about everything from Muhammad Ali to Ted Kennedy's hat. More »
- Mitchell, Holbrooke Named Special Envoys
  
  Reuters | Jan 22, 09 3:11 PM CST
  
  (Newser) - President Obama and newly minted Secretary of State Hillary Clinton moved quickly today to build the administration’s diplomatic efforts, naming George Mitchell and Richard Holbrooke special envoys, Reuters reports; both appointments were expected. Former Sen. Mitchell will focus on facilitating peace talks between Israel and Palestine, while ex-UN ambassador Holbrooke will address issues in war-torn Pakistan and Afghanistan. More »
- First White House Briefing Addresses Gitmo, Oath
  
  Chicago Tribune | Jan 22, 09 2:20 PM CST
  
  (Newser) - White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs met his audience for the first time, covering everything from President Obama’s oaths to the economy to torture, the Chicago Tribune reports. Gibbs faced questions about the administration’s hiring of a lobbyist, against previously stated rules—“Any standard is not perfect”—and whether Obama would freeze his own pay, like his staff’s. “I think his salary is determined by law,” Gibbs said. More »
- Obama's Staff Finds High Office Means Low Tech
  
  Washington Post | Jan 22, 09 12:47 PM CST
  
  (Newser) - Tech-savvy Obama staffers had a rude awakening on their first day at the White House, saddled with disconnected phone lines, limited Internet access, and 6-year-old PCs, the Washington Post reports. “It is kind of like going from an Xbox to an Atari,” a spokesman said of the disconnect between the wired transition and the low-tech federal government. More »
- Cornyn Yields; Clinton Vote Near
  
  The Hill | Jan 21, 09 2:00 PM CST
  
  (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 »