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An Option for Clinton: Enhanced Senate Role
Nov 21, 2008 — New York Times
The discussions about an enhanced position for Mrs. Clinton is eighth in seniority among Democrats on Mr. Clinton had not tried to use the Obama discussions to gain leverage with the Senate leadership.
Change in Congress More Than a Slogan
Nov 21, 2008 — New York Times
Byrd is being replaced as chairman of the Appropriations Committee by Senator Daniel K. Inouye, Democrat of Hawaii, who at 84 has spent 46 years in the Senate. Representative Henry A. Waxman, Democrat of California, the man who upended Mr. And Senate Republicans this week beat back an effort to impose term limits on their party leader and members of the Appropriations Committee.
Congressional Memo: Lame-Duck Session Winds Down With Little to Show
Nov 21, 2008 — New York Times, A1
Congress first proposed repealing Prohibition during a lame-duck session in 1933. Mostly, however, lame-duck sessions have been rare — and useless. Lott said he always resisted holding postelection sessions.
Democrats Oust Longtime Leader of House Panel
Nov 21, 2008 — New York Times
Waxman, as the White House director of Congressional relations. Waxman said in an interview after the vote. Waxman would pursue a more aggressive path on climate change legislation than Mr.
Obama boosts Chicago's Olympic chances City makes case Friday to Europe's IOC members
Nov 21, 2008 — Chicago Tribune
In what figures to be an extremely close first round, enough voters might not want to see their good friend, IOC member and Rio 2016 chief executive Carlos Nuzman, embarrassed.
Obama says he 'long supported hosting the Olympics' in Chicago during taped address to IOC members
Nov 21, 2008 — Chicago Tribune
Obviously, he was well-advised."To the question of whether he expected a dazzling performance from Obama in Copenhagen, Bach said, "On this man's shoulders, there are so many expectations.
Obama: 'Long supported hosting the Olympics' President elect delivers taped address to IOC members
Nov 21, 2008 — Chicago Tribune
OLYMPIC SUPPORT ISTANBUL -- It didn't take long for Barack Obama to start playing a significant role in promoting Chicago's bid for the 2016 Summer Olympics. About 15 minutes into Chicago's Friday presentation of its bid plans to the general assembly of the European Olympic Committees, the president elect gave an 85-second videotaped address to an audience that included some two dozen International Olympic Committee members. That Obama found the time to tape the address...
Waxman expected to advance Obama's climate agenda as new energy committee chairman
Nov 21, 2008 — Los Angeles Times
Dingell had slowed pollution controls, while Waxman wanted to accelerate them, Waxman told House Democrats, according to his prepared comments. For years, Dingell blocked efforts to increase car mileage standards that Waxman favored. Dingell opposed Waxman's early efforts to combat global warming, the California lawmaker said.
A New Wind Is Blowing in Chicago
Nov 20, 2008 — New York Times
It became a marketing pitch, with the thinking that second fiddle was far better than no fiddle at all. The Obamas are, however, taking a bit of Chicago with them. She hopes that while the Obamas are away the city remains a dignified tourist destination, not where buses are simply hawking rides around Obama points of interest.
After election, Obama's associates can say they knew him when . .
Nov 20, 2008 — Chicago Tribune
ALVIN LOVE, Pastor of the Lilydale First Baptist ChurchLove met Obama 23 years ago, when Obama knocked on his church door in the Roseland neighborhood. Democratic leaders pointed him toward a junior state senator named Barack Obama. "I had no idea who he was," Kay recalled. "We filled 20 minutes to a half-hour of airtime. He met his future brother-in-law at Obama's and Soetoro's grandmother's apartment shortly after the family arrived in Honolulu.
Antiwar groups fear Barack Obama may create hawkish Cabinet
Nov 20, 2008 — Los Angeles Times
Aside from Clinton and Gates, the roster of possible Cabinet secretaries has included Sens. Clinton, who was Obama's chief opponent during the Democratic presidential primaries, appears to be the top candidate for secretary of State in his administration. Clinton voted in favor of the Iraq war resolution, and despite pressure, she never said during the primary campaign that she regretted that vote.
BCS has a strong lobby
Nov 20, 2008 — Los Angeles Times
Obama first made his playoff plea to ESPN's Chris Berman on the eve of the election. Unlike Teddy R., though, Obama doesn't have a dog in the BCS hunt. BCS commissioners, knowing they have more power than the president-elect on this issue, got a kick out of Obama's "60 Minutes" interview.
Bill Clinton Said to Accept Terms of Obama Team
Nov 20, 2008 — New York Times
Clinton’s fate and the possibility that Mr. Obama and the Clintons confirmed them on Wednesday. Obama’s Senate office, will be cabinet secretary.
Chicago 2016 playing up Obama connections to IOC voters
Nov 20, 2008 — Chicago Tribune
Committee president, Tsunekazu Takeda, expressed concern the day after the U.S. election that Obama could have a great impact on IOC voters if he appears in Copenhagen at the final presentation before the decision, Tokyo 2016 bid chairman Ichiro Kono thought Japan also had a political secret weapon in prime minister Taro Aso, who finished 41st in mixed skeet shooting at the 1976 Olympics. "Most people are saying (Obama can help Chicago), but we would like to focus on our own bid," Kono...
Chicago Tribune John Kass column Casting agents abound in call to assist Obama
Nov 20, 2008 — Chicago Tribune
Obama economic adviser and mayoral brother Billy Daley, the master of nuance. Readers appointed Rev. John Cullerton (D-DeLeo) as president of the Illinois Senate. Illinois' own political Urkel, Cook County Board President Todd Stroger, was nominated for various Washington posts. Send all 500 of his closest relatives, too." Yes, Susan E., Obama's endorsement of Stroger did allow the president-elect to demonstrate fealty to the Daley machine.
Daschle to join Obama's Cabinet
Nov 20, 2008 — Los Angeles Times
Daschle carries deep scars from the partisan battles that Obama has campaigned against. Daschle has proposed giving all Americans access to the current healthcare system for federal employees, which relies on private insurers. Obama made a similar proposal on the campaign trail.
Health Insurers Offer to Accept All Applicants, on Condition
Nov 20, 2008 — New York Times
Obama, to expand coverage and rein in health care costs. Clinton said that everyone should be required to have coverage. While insurers would be required to sell insurance to any applicant, nothing would guarantee that consumers could afford it.
Obama taps Axelrod for senior White House adviser role Longtime Chicago political operative elevated to role similar to Karl Rove's in Bush era
Nov 20, 2008 — Chicago Tribune
...longtime friend, strategist and political poet to the role of senior adviser in his future administration. That elevates Axelrod to a status similar to Karl Rove in the George W. Bush administration, or political operative James Carville in Bill Clinton's White House. After two years as the chief architect of Obama's campaign strategy, Axelrod will work to implement the ideas and policies he helped sell to American voters. "I just want to help him be successful," Axelrod...
Obama's call for change doesn't extend to his blue ties
Nov 20, 2008 — Chicago Tribune
Blue, Fisher said, conveys confidence and importance without seeming sinister or overly sober. And if there are clouds, the clouds are going to disperse.
On the White House: Clinton Decision Holding Up Other Obama Choices
Nov 20, 2008 — New York Times, A1
Craig couldn’t take a foreign policy job if Mrs. Rice worked for the Clinton administration, handling Africa policy during the 1990s. Clinton’s claim to foreign policy experience during the campaign.
Recount in Senate race begins in Minnesota
Nov 20, 2008 — Los Angeles Times
Minnesota is one of two undecided Senate races. Mansky patiently told the observer that the voter selected Franken. Another election judge several tables away called Mansky's name.
Waxman Advances in Struggle to Wrest Committee From Dingell
Nov 20, 2008 — New York Times
Dingell said the committee was geographically and politically tilted to Mr. Dingell in a Democratic primary in 2002, but she has remained officially neutral in the Dingell-Waxman brawl. Dingell’s spokeswoman, Jodi Seth, said he would prevail when the full caucus voted.
Waxman and Dingell fight could be settled today
Nov 20, 2008 — Los Angeles Times
Henry A. Waxman of Beverly Hills is seeking to wrest the chairmanship of the House Energy and Commerce Committee from Rep. A Waxman victory would increase California's clout in Congress. Last year, Waxman and Pelosi fought Dingell over his global warming bill that would have prohibited California and other states from taking tougher action than the federal government to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Would-be attorney general Eric Holder haunted by Marc Rich pardon
Nov 20, 2008 — Los Angeles Times
But his much-disputed role in Clinton's pardons, particularly that of fugitive financier Marc Rich, is coming back to haunt him. The only person who thinks Eric Holder represents 'hope' is Marc Rich." Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, ranking Republican on the Judiciary Committee, said he was troubled by the Rich pardon.
BCS has a strong lobby
Nov 19, 2008 — Los Angeles Times
Obama first made his playoff plea to ESPN's Chris Berman on the eve of the election. Presidents have long interjected themselves into sporting matters. BCS commissioners, knowing they have more power than the president-elect on this issue, got a kick out of Obama's "60 Minutes" interview.
In the U.S., environmental change gets green light Obama's plans for environmental legislation may have big impact
Nov 19, 2008 — Chicago Tribune
...carbon dioxide is a pollutant the EPA should regulate. Before the election, Obama said he supported a declaration that carbon emissions are endangering human welfare, a policy some of his advisers contend would connect energy and environment issues to an economic recovery. "We've suffered through an administration that wasn't smart about using green energy to kick-start the economy," said Howard Learner, executive director of the Environmental Law and Policy Center in Chicago.
Obama names longtime associate Axelrod as senior adviser
Nov 19, 2008 — Chicago Tribune
...longtime friend, strategist and political poet to the role of senior adviser in his future administration.That elevates Axelrod to a status similar to Karl Rove in the George W. Bush administration, or political operative James Carville in Bill Clinton's White House.After two years as the chief architect of Obama's campaign strategy, Axelrod will work to implement the ideas and policies he helped sell to American voters."I just want to help him be successful," Axelrod said...
Qaeda Deputy Notes Obama Victory, With Insult
Nov 19, 2008 — New York Times, A1
Appealing to the “weak and oppressed” around the world, the Qaeda deputy, Ayman al-Zawahri, sought to dampen excitement over Mr. Obama as a hypocrite and traitor to his race, unfavorably comparing him to “honorable black Americans” like Malcolm X, the 1960s black Muslim leader. The poll showed that 63 percent of foreign-born Muslims in this country had a “very unfavorable” view of Al Qaeda, compared to 36 percent of African-American Muslims.
Senate Democrats go easy on Lieberman
Nov 19, 2008 — Los Angeles Times
Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) of a committee chairmanship. The liberals, and some senators, had wanted to punish Lieberman for campaigning on behalf of John McCain, the Republican presidential nominee. When Lieberman faced a challenge from the antiwar left in 2006, Obama campaigned on his behalf during the primary.
The mythmakers are also the myth busters
Nov 19, 2008 — Los Angeles Times
That suggestion willfully ignores a lot that papers are writing. Kurtz wonders, "Can anyone imagine this kind of media frenzy if John McCain had managed to win?" No. Just as no one could have imagined a public and media furor over the election of Jimmy Carter, or Bill Clinton or George W. Bush.
'Presidential economics' favors those no longer in the White House
Nov 18, 2008 — Chicago Tribune
After Harry Truman left the White House in 1953, his only income was his pension from the Missouri National Guard. A fleet of helicopters, the most prominent of which is known as Marine One, also serves the first family. Camp David serves as the presidential retreat, in the woods atop the Catoctin Mountains in Maryland, and the president has black Cadillac missile-proof limos at his disposal.
Atty. Gen. Jerry Brown urges high court to let Prop. 8 take effect
Nov 18, 2008 — Los Angeles Times
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Chicago Tribune Mary Schmich column Promises backed by actual policies May they sing for the nation Real portrayals of real Chicago Repeal gambling rules? You bet
Nov 18, 2008 — Chicago Tribune
New York and Los Angeles may still believe they hold the levers of power when it comes to entertainment. Governments back lotteries, which prey on the stupid. Why should people playing a game of skill such as poker get the criminal treatment? Your deal, Mr.
Early Test for Obama on Domestic Spying Views
Nov 18, 2008 — New York Times
JAMES RISEN and ERIC LICHTBLAU WASHINGTON — President-elect Barack Obama will face a series of early decisions on domestic spying that will test his administration’s views on presidential power and civil liberties. While Congress gave the telecommunications companies legal immunity, it did not extend immunity to administration officials. Bush had abused his power by authorizing wiretapping without warrants.
Environmentalists encouraged by Obama's proposals
Nov 18, 2008 — Chicago Tribune
Rahm Emanuel of Chicago, has been a leading voice in Congress on Great Lakes issues.The president-elect also faces pent-up demand for a new approach to regulating toxic chemicals.
FDIC chief Sheila Bair could have role on Obama team
Nov 18, 2008 — Los Angeles Times
Bush appointed Bair, 54, to a five-year term as chairwoman of the FDIC in 2006. Bair's work has drawn praise from many congressional Democrats. And his administration has been cool to Bair's mortgage restructuring plan because it calls for additional spending.

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