Barack Obama: Latest News on the Former President - Page 166

Dec 30, 2008 5:47 PM CST

Obama Blasts Blago's Move

(Newser) - Barack Obama today criticized Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich's decision to appoint a successor to the president-elect's Senate seat, CNN reports. Obama called the governor's move "disappointing" and said he backed Democrats' position of blocking any such appointment. Obama again urged Blagojevich to resign so Illinois could have a "...

First Granny Mulls
White House Move

Dec 30, 2008 3:59 PM CST

First Granny Mulls White House Move

Resident mom-in-law good for the nation, if not the Obamas

(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...

Groups Go High-Tech in
Push for Obama Jobs

Dec 30, 2008 2:10 PM CST

Groups Go High-Tech in Push for Obama Jobs

Groups modernize process of sorting resumes

(Newser) - Special interest groups eager to cement plum spots in the Obama administration are using private websites and online databases to angle for positions, Politico reports. Instead of tossing their résumés onto the pile at Change.gov, savvy applicants are casting their lots with these groups, which pore over...

Has Obama
Got Game on
the Green?

Dec 30, 2008 12:51 PM CST

Has Obama Got Game on the Green?

President-elect gets mixed reviews

(Newser) - Sure, he cleaned up in the electoral college, but how’s Barack Obama’s golf game? According to one vocal observer, it beats his bowling, the Chicago Tribune reports. The “protective pool” of press that tails Obama 24/7 offers a play-by-play of his day on a Hawaiian green, describing...

'Magic Negro' Flap May Help GOP Pol

Dec 30, 2008 12:33 PM CST

'Magic Negro' Flap May Help GOP Pol

RNC members rally against outrage over tasteless satire

(Newser) - When a conservative politician is called racist, expect a backlash. The fracas over Chip Saltsman’s distribution of the song “Barack the Magic Negro” in his campaign to be Republican National Committee chairman has, as per usual, caused compatriots to flock to his defense, Politico reports, and may actually...

Obama Stays Tactically Silent on Gaza

Analysis

Dec 30, 2008 9:22 AM CST

Obama Stays Tactically Silent on Gaza

Leaves himself room to maneuver when he takes office

(Newser) - As the violence mounts in Gaza, the vacationing Barack Obama has remained pointedly silent, resisting calls from both Jewish and Muslim groups to take a stand on the conflict. The White House and senior Democrats like Harry Reid have been less shy, expressing strong support for Israel, but Obama doesn’...

Tony Blair:
Part Obama,
Part Bush

Dec 29, 2008 5:51 PM CST

Tony Blair: Part Obama, Part Bush

Ex-prime minister optimistic but doesn't regret Iraq war

(Newser) - Tony Blair was both Britain's Barack Obama, promising change, and its George W. Bush, dragging his country into an unpopular war, Jennifer Senior writes in New York. But now the Middle East envoy and superstar Yale lecturer is his own man. He's excited about Obama's victory and urges the president-elect...

The Bra Wire
That Brought
Down Blago

GLOSSIES

Dec 29, 2008 1:25 PM CST

The Bra Wire That Brought Down Blago

Ill. corruption probe started with hospital administrator

(Newser) - The FBI corruption investigation that ended with the Illinois governor started in the bra of a surburban Chicago hospital exec, Nina Burleigh writes in the New Yorker. In 2003, Pamela Davis was trying to get a new building approved when she was told to use a certain contractor or kiss...

Year's Top 10
Moments of
Celeb Activism

Dec 29, 2008 11:50 AM CST

Year's Top 10 Moments of Celeb Activism

Oprah, Paris, Will.i.am make a difference

(Newser) - It’s been a big year for celebrity activism—so big that it deserves its own year-end top 10 list, Tina Daunt writes in the Los Angeles Times. Some famous faces that made a difference in 2008:

Oprah Winfrey fought hard for Barack Obama, including hosting a traffic-stopping garden party.

...

As Presidential 'Bubble' Closes, Obama Pokes Back

Dec 28, 2008 6:29 PM CST

As Presidential 'Bubble' Closes, Obama Pokes Back

President-elect ditches the reporter pool to take daughters to a water park

(Newser) - There's a growing gaggle of press and Secret Service standing between Barack Obama and the outside world—not to mention the corner hotdog stand—and the president-elect is showing signs that the presidential "bubble" is wearing on him, Politico reports. Obama ditched the pool of reporters assigned to follow...

Gaza Strikes Push Clinton, Obama to Mend Fences

ANALYSIS

Dec 28, 2008 2:29 PM CST

Gaza Strikes Push Clinton, Obama to Mend Fences

World waiting to see how former rivals react to latest crisis

(Newser) - Hillary Clinton criticized Barack Obama’s world affairs know-how in the primaries, but now the two are poised to join forces on their first foreign policy test, Tony Allen-Mills writes in the Times of London. Israel’s air offensive in Gaza undid months of negotiations to kick-start a peace process,...

Best Political Scoops of '08

Dec 27, 2008 9:19 PM CST

Best Political Scoops of '08

(Newser) - Traditional media outlets and on-the-spot amateurs alike captured the year's biggest US political moments. Here is Politico's look at some of the biggest scoops:

Palin meets Couric: Interviewed by Katie Couric on CBS, Sarah Palin fumbled with softball questions such as which publications she reads. Democrats and Tina Fey pounced.

...

'Rated R'
May Be Coming to a Website Near You

Dec 27, 2008 6:09 PM CST

'Rated R' May Be Coming to a Website Near You

Brits hope to partner with US to police web

(Newser) - Calling the Internet a “quite dangerous place,” Britain’s culture secretary says he’ll work with the Obama administration on establishing international guidelines to protect children. One idea under consideration: giving websites film-style ratings, the Telegraph reports. “There is definitely a case for clearer standards online,”...

Obama Gets
Knocked for
Bad Science

Dec 27, 2008 5:14 PM CST

Obama Gets Knocked for Bad Science

Group also zings Cruise, Oprah, McCain for scientific flubs

(Newser) - He’s about to lead the free world, but Barack Obama’s a little fuzzy on science, says a group that put the president-elect—along with John McCain, Tom Cruise, Oprah, and many others—on its celebrity list of shame. Obama’s offense? Suggesting that rising autism rates could be...

RNC Chief 'Appalled' by Rival's Use of 'Magic Negro'

Dec 27, 2008 3:58 PM CST

RNC Chief 'Appalled' by Rival's Use of 'Magic Negro'

Duncan slams rival for distributing song

(Newser) - The Republican National Committee’s chairman has scolded a potential successor for distributing a song entitled “Barack the Magic Negro,” Politico reports. “I am shocked and appalled that anyone would think this is appropriate," said Mike Duncan, who is vying for re-election to his post. He...

RNC Hopeful Sends Out 'Barack the Magic Negro'

Dec 27, 2008 12:10 PM CST

RNC Hopeful Sends Out 'Barack the Magic Negro'

Saltsman puts Obama song on holiday CD

(Newser) - A candidate for chair of the Republican National Committee has included a song called “Barack the Magic Negro” in a Christmas mailing, the Hill reports. Chip Saltsman said, “RNC members have the good humor and good sense to recognize” that the song, written by Paul Shanklin and sung...

Lights Out for
Obama in Oahu
Power Outage

Dec 27, 2008 8:01 AM CST

Lights Out for Obama in Oahu Power Outage

800,000 lose power during storm; Prez-elect gets generator

(Newser) - The Hawaiian island of Oahu lost power during heavy rain and lightning last night, leaving the population of 800,000 and thousands of tourists, including vacationing President-elect Obama and his family, in the dark. Authorities advised residents to stay home and to conserve water. Hawaiian Electric Co. took an emergency...

Kennedy: 9/11, Obama Inspired Me to Seek Senate Seat

Dec 27, 2008 3:17 AM CST

Kennedy: 9/11, Obama Inspired Me to Seek Senate Seat

Campaign work pushed hopeful towards politics

(Newser) - The terrorists attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 and her work for Barack Obama's campaign helped push Caroline Kennedy towards a career in politics, the Senate hopeful tells the AP. Kennedy credited her mother with giving her the courage to seek the job, and said she hopes she will be able...

Dems Stand to Lose Clinton's Fundraising Chops

Dec 26, 2008 2:26 PM CST

Dems Stand to Lose Clinton's Fundraising Chops

Cabinet officials usually refrain from helping other candidates

(Newser) - Democrats may lose a powerful fundraiser in Hillary Clinton when she becomes secretary of state, the Hill reports. Cabinet officials usually avoid overt campaigning for other candidates, and Clinton’s fundraising prowess and network are likely to be particularly missed: HillPAC, Clinton’s leadership political action committee, has directed more...

2008's Hunkiest Guys

OPINION

Dec 26, 2008 11:44 AM CST