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12 Feb 2009 10:36

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Offbeat, U.S.: Las Vegas mayor: Obama owes us an apology

  • That’s outrageous… He owes us a retraction. What’s a better place, as I say, than for them to come here? And to change their mind and to go someplace else and to cancel and at the suggestion of the president of the United States — that’s outrageous.
  • Oscar Goodman • Democratic mayor of Las Vegas, on a recent comment by Barack Obama regarding banks using bailout money to take corporate trips to the city • source

11 Feb 2009 22:15

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U.S.: The stimulus bill dips below $800 billion

  • $789 billion right now, and very, very close to passing source

11 Feb 2009 10:46

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U.S.: We’re assuming Obama wouldn’t have wanted this delivery

  • A man, with a rifle. At the U.S. Capitol. The man, Alfred Brock, 64, of Winnfield, Louisiana, had an unregistered firearm and a truck full of ammo. He drove up near the north barricade in front of the Capitol and said he had a delivery for the president. Yikes. It’s not the first time an incident like this has happened, either. source

10 Feb 2009 10:06

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U.S.: Treasury secretary: “American people have lost faith”

  • Our challenge is much greater today because the American people have lost faith in the leaders of our financial institutions, and are skeptical that their government has – to this point – used taxpayers’ money in ways that will benefit them.
  • Timothy F. Geithner • Treasury secretary, who will announce a bailout plan for the banks today. • source

08 Feb 2009 10:19

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U.S.: Obama ups the pass-the-stimulus pressure on Congress

  • In the midst of our greatest economic crisis since the Great Depression, the American people were hoping that Congress would begin to confront the great challenges we face. That was, after all, what last November’s election was all about.
  • Barack Obama • in his weekly radio address. Obama has pushed hard for the $800+ billion stimulus bill to pass, particularly in the last week, when he’s seen resistance from Republican senators. They’re trying to accomodate, though: Senators debated the details of the plan in a rare Saturday session. • source

07 Feb 2009 21:54

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U.S.: We’re live from the scene of Ben’s Chili Bowl in D.C.

Obama ate here a few weeks ago, and we understand why. The veggie chili is awesome! source

07 Feb 2009 10:04

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U.S.: Diplomacy is the name of Biden’s game – until it’s time to act

  • We will draw upon all the elements of our power — military and diplomatic, intelligence and law enforcement, economic and cultural — to stop crises from occurring before they are in front of us.
  • Vice President Joe Biden • regarding the new administration’s stance on foreign policy. In a 25-minute speech yesterday, Biden laid out the Obama administration’s foreign policy stances. He said that the U.S. plans to do more but will ask more from its allies. At the same time, they will not be afraid of using force if necessary against countries like Iran • source
 

06 Feb 2009 20:25

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U.S.: OK, the Senate may finally get behind Obama’s economic plan

  • $805 billion, the size of the current stimulus package source

06 Feb 2009 10:28

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Culture, Music: Hey Beyonce, Obama: Etta James was just playin’

  • I didn’t really mean anything. Even as a little child, I’ve always had that comedian kind of attitude. … That’s probably what went into it.
  • Etta James • Regarding a recent outburst where she trashed Beyonce for singing “At Last” during President Barack Obama’s inaugural first dance. She was miffed for not getting picked but really meant no ill will, she says. Sure. • source

03 Feb 2009 23:03

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U.S.: Obama ditches Tom Daschle – AND he takes the blame

  • Did I screw up in this situation? Absolutely. I’m willing to take my lumps.
  • Barack Obama • in an interview with NBC’s Brian Williams, on that Tom Daschle guy, who had to pay a ton in back taxes recently – a fact that came out when he was being vetted for Secretary of Health and Human Services • source