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27 Feb 2009 09:57

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U.S., World: Who likes the Iraq plan? Who doesn’t?

  • Democrats = Boo. Many Democrats think leaving 50,000 troops in Iraq until 2011 is too many for too long. It also breaks a campaign promise by Obama, who said it would be over sooner. “50,000 is a little higher number than I anticipated,” said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. source
  • Democrats = Boo. Many Democrats think leaving 50,000 troops in Iraq until 2011 is too many for too long. It also breaks a campaign promise by Obama, who said it would be over sooner. “50,000 is a little higher number than I anticipated,” said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.
  • Republicans = Yay! Republicans seem largely on board with the president who chose the deadline based on military suggestions. The final end date is January 1, 2012. Rep. John McHugh of New York said the plan “is one that we should pray for, plan for and work toward.” source

26 Feb 2009 10:43

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Offbeat, U.S.: This Stevie Wonder thing is just superstition, Obama

  • I think it’s fair to say that had I not been a Stevie Wonder fan, Michelle might not have dated me. We might not have married. The fact that we agreed on Stevie was part of the essence of our courtship.
  • Barack Obama • Who (with Michelle in tow) held a concert and award ceremony for Stevie Wonder last night. For some reason, we can’t imagine George W. Bush saying this. • source

26 Feb 2009 10:37

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U.S.: With health care, Obama likes throwing the word “billion” around

  • $634 billion for universal health care in his budget source

25 Feb 2009 21:52

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U.S.: Obama’s laid-back style is annoying “Old Washington”

  • Nobody messes with joe and the smiles and nancy handshake resembled a democratic pep rally not a state of the union–sophomoric and silly
  • Newt Gingrich • in a Twitter post last night during Obama’s non-State of the Union speech. Gingrich and others have complained that Obama’s a little too casual for the job, and that Michelle Obama pulls out the sleeveless dresses too often. Pssh, whatever. We’re wearing a sleeveless dress right now, and it feels great! (Don’t ask.) • source

25 Feb 2009 21:12

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U.S.: Jindal’s volcano remark: An erupting dramabomb

  • $140 million? Necessary? Uh, yeah, dude. Last night, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal made a critical comment about an appropriation in the stimulus bill for “volcano monitoring” during his rebuttal to President Obama’s speech. But locals near major volcanoes say the money is necessary to prepare for natural disasters – something critics say Jindal should know about, given his state’s recent history with Hurricane Katrina. Plus, the money would create jobs, one expert notes. Jindal isn’t backing down, though. source

24 Feb 2009 22:51

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U.S.: Key point of Bobby Jindal’s GOP response

  • But the way to lead is not to raise taxes and put more money and power in hands of Washington politicians. The way to lead is by empowering you – the American people. Because we believe that Americans can do anything.
  • Bobby Jindal • Who took Barack Obama — and Democrats — to task for passing a massive stimulus bill. Jindal emphasized fiscal responsibility in his speech. • source

24 Feb 2009 22:23

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U.S.: Key number of Barack Obama’s speech

  • $15 billion per year spent on new technologies source
 

24 Feb 2009 22:18

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U.S.: Key line of Barack Obama’s speech tonight

  • Given these realities, everyone in this chamber — Democrats and Republicans — will have to sacrifice some worthy priorities for which there are no dollars. And that includes me.
  • Barack Obama • Who spoke about hunkering down, even while balancing it with optimism. He talked about his plans for the budget during the speech. It wasn’t a State of the Union, but sure felt like one. • source

24 Feb 2009 21:19

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U.S.: Why are you here? Go watch Obama’s speech

It’s the State of the Union without the State of the Union. NYTimes is streaming live. source

24 Feb 2009 10:02

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U.S.: Obama to whiny governors: Stop being so whiny

  • If we agree on 90 percent of this stuff, and we’re spending all our time on television arguing about 1, 2, 3 percent of the spending in this thing … that starts sounding more like politics.
  • Barack Obama • On the stimulus package, parts of which may lead to states picking up the bill down the road. Some Republican governors have complained about this (somewhat loudly). Some of the complaining governors are potential 2012 Republican presidential candidates. • source