Archive - November 18, 2008 - The Page by Mark Halperin

Tuesday's vote count showed the convicted Alaska Senator trailing Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich by 3,700 votes-- more than the 2,500 overseas ballots still uncounted. Read about Stevens' defeat in the AP, Anchorage Daily News, the Washington Post and Politico. Permalink

McCain to Run for Fifth Senate Term

A McCain spokesperson says the 72-year-old decided with his senior advisers Tuesday night to set up a fundraising PAC for an '10 re-election bid. Permalink

Clinton Needs to Pay Off $7M in Debt

Bloomberg: "Hillary Clinton will face a financial decision if she is nominated as secretary of state: what to do about the more than $7 million in debts left over from her presidential campaign." And/But: WSJ on Bill Clinton offering to submit future charitable and business activities to strict ethics reviews if his wife were nominated. Permalink

Stocks in Europe, Asia Decline

Stocks fell in Europe and Asia Wednesday, on concerns the economic slowdown will cut profits. U.S. futures also dropped before a report that may show consumer prices have slid the most since 1949. Permalink

Naming National Security Team An Obama Priority

Wash Post: "If President-elect Barack Obama follows the pattern of most of his modern predecessors, one of the first documents to bear his signature ... will be a directive laying out his administration's national security structure." Permalink

Pelosi Announces New Majority Leadership Team

Speaker of the House sends out the positions for the 111th Congress this January. Get all the details here. Permalink

Chambliss Attacks Obama in Runoff TV Spot

The incumbent GOP Senator is using Obama’s tax proposals against challenger Jim Martin in latest ad in the hotly contested Georgia race. Watch spot above. Permalink

The Most Vetted Couple EVER

Essential reading: Adviser Howard Wolfson lays out the (many) known knowns of the Clintons' finances. Permalink

Politico: Clinton Undecided About State

Several people close to the former first lady say she isn't certain she'd accept the position if offered. Key details from the story here. Permalink

OBAMA TEAM COUNTING SENATE VOTES ON HOLDER AS AG

AP: The president-elect's aides have been privately talking to senators about whether the Washington attorney could be confirmed as Attorney General. Concerns over his role in the controversial pardon of fugitive Marc Rich during the Clinton years. NBC reports it has confirmed that Holder was offered the position and has accepted. Permalink

Home, Sweet (New) Home

Malia and Sasha Obama check out their new rooms at the White House Tuesday, joined by their mother and grandmother. The future residents are in town visiting potential schools, and were invited by Laura Bush to swing by 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. Permalink

Top Officer: Military Can Meet Obama Demands

Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Adm. Mullen tells the AP the Pentagon is developing plans to get troops quickly out of Iraq and into Afghanistan. Says the military has already practiced traveling out of Iraq through Turkey and Jordan to determine "what the challenges might be." Permalink

Detroit's Big Three Beg Congress for $25 Billion Bailout

CEOs from General Motors, Ford and Chrysler make their case during testimonies before the Senate Banking Committee Tuesday. GM's Wagoner: "Our industry ... needs a bridge to span the financial chasm that has opened up before us." The CEOs will also speak at a House Financial Services Committee hearing Wednesday. Permalink

Obama Still Returning Leaders' Calls

The president-elect phoned five world leaders Tuesday to express his appreciation for their congratulations on his election. Leaders contacted include Palestinian President Abbas, President Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan and others. Details here. Permalink

Cornyn to Head NRSC

The veteran Texas Senator says he’s ready to “hit the ground running” in the new post. He will be charged with overseeing an arguably make-or-break election cycle for the GOP in 2010. Permalink