07 Jan

Clinton Expected to Sail Through Hearings

Posted by admin, under Political

The confirmation hearing for Sen. Hillary Clinton to become Secretary of State will begin next Tuesday with a vote scheduled for Thursday.

Clinton has been meeting individually with Senate Foreign Relations committee members, in addition to the lengthy discussions with the incoming Chairman, Sen. John Kerry (D-MA), and ranking Republican, Sen. Richard Lugar (R-IN).

The AP reports that "despite initial concerns that former President Bill Clinton's business deals and global charitable endeavors could create problems, lawmakers from both parties do not expect serious objections to the New York senator's confirmation."

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07 Jan

Massive Deficit Projected

Posted by admin, under Political

"The federal budget deficit will balloon to roughly $1.2 trillion this fiscal year, a record total that does not even include the costs of the economic recovery plan now being assembled on Capitol Hill," CQ Politics reports.

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07 Jan

Quote of the Day

Posted by admin, under Political
"The opposition should be about ideas, and not what my brother suffered through in the last eight years. I don't wish that on President Obama."

-- Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, in an interview with the Los Angeles Times, advising Republicans to lay off partisan attacks.

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07 Jan

Burris Will Be Seated

Posted by admin, under Political
Senate Democrats have agreed to seat former Illinois Attorney General Roland Burris (D), the AP reports.

There has been speculation that Senate Democrats might agree to seat Burris if he would agree not to run for election in 2010, though it is unknown whether such a deal was worked out this morning.

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07 Jan

Blagojevich Could Be Impeached This Week

Posted by admin, under Political
The Chicago Tribune reports a state House committee weighing Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich's political fate will "delve into alleged hiring irregularities" today and prepare "for a crucial stretch that may culminate in his impeachment by week's end."

The committee is also "getting ready to hear former Illinois Atty. Gen. Roland Burris testify Thursday about Blagojevich's offer to appoint him to the U.S. Senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama."

Meanwhile, Politico notes Burris "heads into a pivotal meeting with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Majority Whip Richard J. Durbin on Wednesday with an unmistakable sense of momentum."

Conventional wisdom suggests Burris will now eventually be allowed to take the seat.

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07 Jan

Obama to Announce New White House Position

Posted by admin, under Political
At a press conference this morning, President-elect Obama will announce his pick for "chief performance officer," a newly created position that will work on the federal budget and to reform government, CNN reports.

"Obama has selected Nancy Killefer, according to two Democratic officials. She is a senior director for McKinsey & Company, a management consulting firm. She was an assistant secretary of the treasury in the Clinton administration."

If you think you've seen this before, you're right. See the chapter in my book titled "Reinventing Government Again (and Again).

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07 Jan

Reid Pledges to Stay as Majority Leader Until 2015

Posted by admin, under Political
Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV) vowed that he'll lead the U.S. Senate "until 2015 and beyond, taunting Republicans who'd like to unseat him and dashing the hopes of Democrats who'd like to succeed him," Politico reports.

"The Nevada Democrat, who is up for reelection in 2010, said he's actually looking forward to being considered a 'vulnerable' incumbent then."

Said Reid: "You know, to be honest with you, I hope I am. That way, [the Republicans are] going to spend lots of resources on me and leave states we're looking at. They won't have as many resources -- and we have a lot of targets."

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06 Jan

Murkowski Would Crush Palin

Posted by admin, under Political
A new KTUU poll in Alaska shows Gov. Sarah Palin (R) would have a tough fight if she decides to challenge Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) in a primary battle for U.S. Senate.

Murkowski clobbered Palin in the survey, 57% to 33%.

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