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20 Jan 2009 18:38

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U.S.: Who was and wasn’t confirmed for Obama’s cabinet?

  • The confirmed These guys are good to go: Energy secretary Steven Chu, education secretary Arne Duncan, Department of Homeland Security head Janet Napolitano, Eric Shinseki for head of Veterans’ Affairs, Ken Salazar for the Department of the Interior, Peter Orszag to head the Office of Management and Budget and Department of Agriculture head Tom Vilsack. source
  • The confirmed These guys are good to go: Energy secretary Steven Chu, education secretary Arne Duncan, Department of Homeland Security head Janet Napolitano, Eric Shinseki for head of Veterans’ Affairs, Ken Salazar for the Department of the Interior, Peter Orszag to head the Office of Management and Budget and Department of Agriculture head Tom Vilsack.
  • The “hey, wait a second …” Secretary of State pick Hillary Clinton faces conflict-of-interest-type questions about her ex-president husband’s charity. Treasury Department head Timothy Geithner forgot to pay his taxes (oof). Attorney General pick Eric Holder and Health and Human Services pick Tom Daschle are still going through the process. source
  • The confirmed These guys are good to go: Energy secretary Steven Chu, education secretary Arne Duncan, Department of Homeland Security head Janet Napolitano, Eric Shinseki for head of Veterans’ Affairs, Ken Salazar for the Department of the Interior, Peter Orszag to head the Office of Management and Budget and Department of Agriculture head Tom Vilsack.
  • The “hey, wait a second …” Secretary of State pick Hillary Clinton faces conflict-of-interest-type questions about her ex-president husband’s charity. Treasury Department head Timothy Geithner forgot to pay his taxes (oof). Attorney General pick Eric Holder and Health and Human Services pick Tom Daschle are still going through the process.
  • The sitting pretty Bush’s Defense Secretary, Robert Gates, is just staying in that role for Obama. We imagine he’s kicking his legs up on his desk right now thinking of all the things he could be doing besides getting confirmed by the Senate. source

13 Jan 2009 17:59

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U.S.: Hillary Clinton on how she’d handle diplomacy

  • America cannot solve the most pressing problems on our own, and the world cannot solve them without America.
  • Hillary Rodham Clinton • going up against the Senate in confirmation hearings to become Secretary of State • source

11 Jan 2009 14:31

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U.S.: Is Al Franken the GOP’s Public Enemy No. 1?

  • Republicans hate him. The former “Saturday Night Live” writer and actor is that kind of guy that brings everyone together by pulling them apart. Now he’s likely to be in the U.S. Senate. Says Minnesota Republican Party Chair Ron Carey, “I don’t know if we’ve ever had an opponent who is so disliked by Republicans as Al Franken.” source
  • Republicans hate him. The former “Saturday Night Live” writer and actor is that kind of guy that brings everyone together by pulling them apart. Now he’s likely to be in the U.S. Senate. Says Minnesota Republican Party Chair Ron Carey, “I don’t know if we’ve ever had an opponent who is so disliked by Republicans as Al Franken.”
  • Norm’s a long-shot. Despite initially being in the lead (barely) prior to the recount, an unlikely-to-hold-water court challenge is the only thing that stands in the way of Norm Coleman losing his senate seat to Franken. Some analysts say that Franken’s history as a liberal commentator and entertainer will come to haunt him in office. source

09 Jan 2009 19:01

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U.S.: The other senator from Illinois isn’t happy about Burris

  • The rules of the United States Senate are clear. … At this point, we’ve clearly reached an impasse.
  • Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin • senior U.S. Senator from Illinois, on the appointment of Roland Burris without a signature from Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White. Burris’ appointment by Rod Blagojevich was valid, according to the Illinois Supreme Court. • source

09 Jan 2009 12:34

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U.S.: Well, one guy still believes in Rod Blagojevich

  • 114-1 The vote to impeach the Illinois governor source

08 Jan 2009 21:55

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U.S.: Rod Impeachojevich, Illinois Governor

  • They’re looking into throwing the bum out Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich could get impeached based on a recommendation by a legislative committee. The committee cited gross misuse of power, specifically in regards to allegations he tried to make Obama’s former senate seat a pay-for-play endeavor. If the Illinois state legislature takes the recommendation, they’d try him in the state senate and possibly remove him. We never trusted guys named Blagojevich. source

06 Jan 2009 13:13

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U.S.: The scene as Roland Burris was turned away

He wanted to sit. They wouldn’t let him. So now, he goes away. Maybe he’ll try later. source
 

06 Jan 2009 12:14

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U.S.: Roland Burris, a man without a chair

  • This is all politics and theater, but I am the junior senator according to every law book in the nation.
  • Appointed Illinois senator Roland Burris • who was denied entry to the Senate chambers today. Burris was appointed by Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who was arrested for attempting to sell the seat. • source

02 Jan 2009 14:41

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U.S.: Will someone give these men a chair?

  • Stay standing, Roland Burris He was appointed by Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich – not exactly something you want to show off on your resume right now. Senate Democratic leaders are fighting his appointment. Who didn’t see that coming? source
  • Stay standing, Roland Burris He was appointed by Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich – not exactly something you want to show off on your resume right now. Senate Democratic leaders are fighting his appointment. Who didn’t see that coming?
  • Stuart saves his seat – almost Al Franken has a lead of just a just a few dozen votes over Norm Coleman for his Minnesota Senate seat – and that’s after a recount. He’s almost a senator. Is that good enough? source