Obama 2008

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January 2009
- Obama Vows Transparency, Freezes Top Salaries
  
  Associated Press | Jan 21, 09 1:07 PM CST
  
  (Newser) - President Obama announced today that he was freezing the salaries of top White House staff who take in more than $100,000 a year, the AP reports. “Families are tightening their belts, and so should Washington,” he said. Obama is also requiring federal agencies to respond more actively to Freedom of Information requests, including the White House. “Transparency and the rule of law will be the touchstones of this administration,” he said. More »
- Obama Speeches Teach English, Hope to Japanese
  
  Reuters | Jan 21, 09 10:46 AM CST
  
  (Newser) - The Japanese version of Amazon.com features an unlikely bestseller: the collected speeches of Barack Obama, with Japanese translation and accompanying CD, Reuters reports. Obama’s inspiring but straightforward rhetoric is perfect for teaching English in a country that hankers to learn the language. He “uses words such as ‘yes, we can,’ ‘change’ and ‘hope’ that Japanese people can memorize,” the publisher says. More »
- Thousands With Tickets Turned Away From Mall
  
  Washington Post | Jan 20, 09 5:46 PM CST
  
  (Newser) - While some fought to escape the Mall after the inauguration, thousands of frustrated ticketholders were barred from entering to see the swearing in of President Barack Obama, the Washington Post reports. “It is irresponsible to issue all of these tickets and not let the people in,” one Californian said. Hopeful attendees reported waiting in line for hours only to learn gates had been closed. More »
- Despite Warren, Calif. Gays Celebrate Obama
  
  The Advocate | Jan 20, 09 5:27 PM CST
  
  (Newser) - A crowd gathered today at West Hollywood’s premier gay bar to celebrate Barack Obama’s inauguration, but also to watch with dismay as Rev. Rick Warren took the Capitol stage, the Advocate reports. Many in the community were shocked by Obama’s choice of the anti-gay marriage pastor to deliver the invocation—and many hissed or left the room during Warren’s invocation. More »
- Live-Streaming Websites Smash Records With Obama
  
  Crain's New York Business | Jan 20, 09 5:23 PM CST
  
  (Newser) - Websites streaming video of the inauguration reported record activity today, while a partnership between Facebook and CNN enabled thousands of people a minute to comment on the proceedings, Crain's reports. By late afternoon, CNN reported 21.3 million live video streams, while MSNBC had 9 million live streams and 5 million on-demand streams. More »
- 7 Nominees Confirmed; Clinton Vote Tomorrow
  
  Chicago Tribune | Jan 20, 09 4:58 PM CST
  
  (Newser) - The Senate met after the inauguration today and promptly confirmed seven of President Obama’s nominees by unanimous vote, with the notable exception of Hillary Clinton, the Chicago Tribune reports. A vote on Clinton has been scheduled for tomorrow after Harry Reid and Sen. John Cronyn, who has concerns about the Clinton Foundation’s disclosures, struck a deal, the Hill notes. More »
- Clinton, Cornyn Share Words
  
  Politico | Jan 20, 09 3:42 PM CST
  
  (Newser) - Hillary Clinton and John Cornyn shared some spirited words today after the inauguration, Politico reports. Cornyn is blocking a Senate vote today on Clinton’s confirmation as secretary of state over concerns about the transparency of Bill Clinton’s foundation. While the conversation seemed animated, a rep for Cornyn said it “appeared to be warm and cordial.” More »
- Bush Street Gets Overnight 'Update' in SF
  
  NBC Bay Area | Jan 20, 09 2:36 PM CST
  
  (Newser) - Partisan pranksters struck San Francisco overnight, covering four blocks of signs on the city’s Bush Street with “Obama Street” signs, NBC affiliate KNTV reports. The covers look professional, and chalk messages on the pavement encourage pedestrians to look up and notice the “change.” A rally is planned today at the street’s terminus, marked by a small, but official, “end” sign. It is unclear whether an investigation is under way. More »
- Carter Gives Clinton the Cold Shoulder
  
  ABC News | Jan 20, 09 2:17 PM CST
  
  (Newser) - The bad feeling between Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter was on display today as the two ex-presidents ignored each other on the way to the inaugural platform, ABC reports. Carter greeted Barbara and George HW Bush warmly but walked straight past Bill and Hillary. The feud goes back to 1980, when Clinton reportedly thought Carter’s loss cost Clinton the Arkansas governorship, and continued with Carter’s harsh critique of Clinton during the Lewinsky scandal. More »
- Paterson 'Certain' to Pick Kennedy: Also-Rans
  
  New York Post | Jan 19, 09 4:29 PM CST
  
  (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 »
- In Free Inaugural Doughnuts, Abortion Foes See Ploy
  
  Chicago Tribune | Jan 19, 09 2:51 PM CST
  
  (Newser) - Krispy Kreme stores will honor Barack Obama’s inauguration and Americans’ “freedom of choice” with free doughnuts tomorrow, to the dismay of at least one anti-abortion group, the Chicago Tribune reports. “Celebration of ‘freedom of choice’ is a tacit endorsement of abortion rights on demand,” the American Life League said. The doughnut-maker said its promotion was “not about any social or political issue.” More »
- Mitchell Considered for Mideast Post
  
  New York Times | Jan 19, 09 1:24 PM CST
  
  (Newser) - Former Sen. George Mitchell, who led a 2000 commission examining Middle Eastern violence, is being considered as special envoy to the region by the Obama administration, the New York Times reports. The appointment of such a high-profile negotiator would signal Obama’s seriousness about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but could deprive Hillary Clinton of a significant opportunity. More »
- 'Designated Successor' Gates Will Skip Inauguration
  
  CBS News | Jan 19, 09 12:33 PM CST
  
  (Newser) - Secretary of Defense Robert Gates will sit out the inauguration at a secure location and be available to take over the government in case of disaster, CBS reports. The White House designated Gates with the approval of the incoming administration, which he will serve in the same post. The move is in keeping with tradition of certain officials remaining away from state events where the leadership is concentrated. More »
- Thank Portrait for Obama's Success: Hope Artist
  
  Smithsonian | Jan 18, 09 12:19 PM CST
  
  (Newser) - The iconic Hope image of Barack Obama helped get the Illinois senator elected president, says the graphic designer who created the image. “It has exceeded my expectations almost from the get-go,” Shepard Fairey told Smithsonian magazine, adding that Obama’s “unique” look was an inspiration for him and the public. “That it’s not just another 65-year-old white guy helps.” More »
- In DC, Rash of Wary Tux Renters Ahead of Inaugural
  
  Washington Post | Jan 17, 09 8:02 PM CST
  
  (Newser) - Uninitiated DC men are scrambling to procure tuxedos for the inauguration, and they, luckily, have a few seasoned resources, the Washington Post reports. While inveterate ball-goers frequent Brooks Brothers and such, a younger class of invitees is flocking to the capital’s rental shops, where veteran tailors calm their jitters. “It will be a band tie,” one said. “Unless you would prefer to tie your own.” No, no, no. More »
- Obama Will Ban Torture— But Considers a Loophole
  
  Associated Press | Jan 17, 09 12:38 PM CST
  
  (Newser) - Barack Obama is set to prohibit waterboarding and other enhanced interrogation techniques by mandating the CIA follow the US Army Field Manual when questioning suspects, the AP reports. But as the president-elect debates whether to make the changes through legislation or presidential fiat, the incoming administration is also considering a loophole that would allow controversial methods in pressing situations. More »
- At Obama Swearing-In, Watchers Will Swear at Cold
  
  USA Today | Jan 16, 09 5:01 PM CST
  
  (Newser) - The presidential inauguration is shaping up to be a trying event, what with huge crowds, restrictive security measures, and now, a chilly forecast, USA Today reports. Contingency plans range from the prudent—heated tents for the unwell—to the desperate. Organizers are trying to have "as many tour buses as possible come as close to the Mall as possible,” an official said. More »
- Obama Pitches Public Service—On the Net
  
  Time | Jan 16, 09 3:55 PM CST
  
  (Newser) - Barack Obama, like John F. Kennedy before him, has issued a call to service in a novel medium. For Kennedy it was television, and Obama, unsurprisingly, is using the Internet to drum up volunteerism, Time reports. USAService.org allows willing citizens to find projects, or even organize them, and capitalizes on the successes of the plugged-in campaign. More »
- Nate Silver: Win the Cities, Win America
  
  Esquire | Jan 15, 09 8:54 PM CST
  
  (Newser) - Barack Obama's strength in cities won him the election, meaning he "might be America's first urban" president, statistics whiz Nate Silver writes in Esquire . Obama's "pragmatic, superior, hip, stubborn, multicultural" ways make him unmistakably urban, Silver writes, and America's changing demographics mean that urban voters matter now more than ever. More »
- Senate Releases TARP Funds
  
  The Hill | Jan 15, 09 5:14 PM CST
  
  (Newser) - The Senate agreed to let loose the remaining TARP funds today by a relatively slim margin, the Hill reports. The 52-42 vote means Obama should have access to the $350 billion about a week after he takes office. The House hasn't voted yet, but the TARP legislation requires only one chamber to approve the money, the Wall Street Journal notes. More »