Archive - November 10, 2008 - The Page by Mark Halperin

The Page

Politics up to the Minute

Report: Obama Team Wants Solis Doyle for White House Post

Associated Press: The presidential-elect's aides have approached Clinton's former campaign manager about taking the position of Cabinet secretary. Democratic officials say she's considering taking the job, although she worries about the effect it would have on her two young children. Permalink

Gibbs: "It Was a Bit of a Momentous Day"

The top Obama aide discusses the President-elect's day at the White House with reporters on the plane Monday. Says the two talked about foreign policy, the economic situation while spending about an hour together one-on-one in the Oval Office. "I don't know that I would characterize him as awe struck. What he said to me is it's a really nice office." Read pool report here. Permalink

"It Felt Comfortable From the Very Beginning"

Gov. Palin talks with Fox's Greta Van Susteren about being thrust onto the national stage. "From the beginning, there had been doors opened through the years... but there was a lot of preparation and opportunity...." See video clip here. Read more excerpts from the interview here. Plus: Also does lengthy interview with the Anchorage Daily News, and will sit down with Matt Lauer on Tuesday's "Today" show. Also appears on Wednesday's "Situation Room" on CNN. Permalink

Sunday Pool Report

President-elect Barack Obama's motorcade left his home in hyde park at 8:37 am sunday morning, arriving at Regents Park Apartments for his morning workout at 8:41 central time. He wore a light khaki-ish baseball cap, couldn't tell the rest of his outfit. At 10:15 am his motorcade left Regents Park and returned to his house. Helene Cooper Correspondent The New York Times , 4:54 PM

Obama Visits His New Office

The incoming and outgoing first couples meet at the White House Monday. The president-elect and President Bush visit the Situation Room and meet privately in the Oval Office, while Laura Bush shows Michelle the private residence. The Obamas also meet the White House Chief Usher. No comments to the press. Read Obama's statement on the meeting here, and the White House statement here. Plus: Wash Post on the future First Lady, Michelle Obama, finding her home in history. Later: Obama attends a 40-minute, unannounced "private meeting" at Reagan National Airport-- unclear whom he was meeting with. Read pool reports--click here and click here. The Obamas were greeted outside the South Portico around 2 pm ET. Watch video here. PHOTOS: See a gallery of the visit here. Permalink

Dean to Step Down as DNC Chair

The former Vermont governor and '04 presidential candidate will not seek a second term. Dean's decision was expected, as new presidents usually install their own party leaders. Permalink

Poll: Obama's Post-Election Favorability Rating High

Latest USA Today/Gallup numbers released Monday show 68% of voters view the president-elect favorably. Up from 62% before the election -- the highest of any major presidential candidate since Gallup began measuring it in 1992. Permalink

Poll: Bush Disapproval Rating Hits Record High

From CNN/Opinion Research Corp data: Approve 24%, Disapprove 76%. Jump from end of October when his disapproval rating was at 71%. Dates conducted: Nov. 6-9. Error margin: 3 points. For more -- including how voters think the transition to Obama will go -- click here. Permalink

Obama to Create White House Office of Urban Policy

Transition co-chair Valerie Jarrett tells an organization of black columnists Monday the president-elect intends to keep his campaign promise of creating an office devoted to better coordinate federal efforts to help America’s cities. Permalink

Palin Sorts Through Wardrobe

Associated Press on how the former Veep candidate is determining what to give back to the RNC. Permalink

Palin to Return to Center Stage This Week

The Alaska governor is set to speak about “looking toward the future” Thursday at the Republican Governors Association conference in Miami. She’s also the only governor scheduled to hold a presser -- 20 minutes on Thursday morning. Permalink

Dad Drops Daughters Off at School

The president-elect kisses Sasha and Malia goodbye early Monday as he sees them off to school in Chicago a few blocks from their home for the first time since the election. Read the pool report here. WATCH VIDEO FOOTAGE HERE. Plus: Obama's team says no Cabinet appointments will be announced this week. Details here. Permalink

“Mom In Chief”

Michelle Obama tells Ebony magazine that ensuring a successful transition for her daughters will be more important than influencing her husband’s policies. "My first job in all honesty is going to continue to be mom in chief." Permalink

Kristol Shows Obama Puppy Love

NY Times conservative columnist more worried by Land of Lincolner's canny canine skills than the election results!! Key excerpts from Kristol's column here. Permalink

Obama Warned Defense Department Budget “Not Sustainable”

Senior Pentagon advisory group tells the president-elect in “a series of bluntly worded briefings” he must cut back on or eliminate some of the military's weapons programs. Analysts suspect the new F-35 fighter jet, a number of Navy ship programs and the production of new ground combat vehicles will be the first to go. Permalink