The Page
Politics up to the Minute
Headlines from December 7th, 2008
Obama Announces Shinseki as Veterans Affairs Secretary
The president-elect formalizes his appointment of the former Army Chief -- who left the military under a cloud during the Bush administration -- at Sunday presser. "No one will ever doubt that this former Army Chief of Staff has the courage to stand up for our troops and our veterans." Full remarks here and press release on Shinseki announcement here. Shinseki speaks after Obama, pledges to build a "smooth, error-free, no-fail benefits-assured transition" back to civilian life for veterans. Permalink
Obama: Economy "Is Going to Get Worse Before it Gets Better"
The president-elect warns twice in the hour-long interview on NBC's "Meet the Press" that the U.S. hasn't seen the bottom yet in the financial crisis. Also brushes off talk about Caroline Kennedy replacing Clinton in the Senate saying, "the last thing I want to do is get involved in New York politics." Click above to watch interview. Read transcript here. Permalink
Rice: Iraq War "Seemed the Course"
The secretary of state refuses to speculate on whether the U.S. would have gone to war with Iraq without the intelligence failures on ABC's "This Week" "This seemed the course for somebody who combined weapons of mass destruction, which we believe he had, and his murderous history." Also says she thinks her replacement Hillary Clinton "is going to be terrific." Part of Rice's swing through several Sunday shows. Permalink
Caroline Kennedy Speculation
NY Post: Sen. Ted Kennedy "has been working back channels to promote niece Caroline as the replacement" for Clinton in the Senate. Plus: NY Observer: DSCC chair Menendez has reached out to Kennedy "to gauge her interest in filling the empty seat." And: NY Times: Gov. Paterson reveals Kennedy has not yet explicitly indicated to him that she wants to replace Clinton. Permalink
Bush Reflects on Middle East Policy
The president tells Middle East Broadcasting in an interview that working to democratize the region "was necessary for a couple of important reasons." Thinks his legacy will reflect that: "I believe when people objectively analyze this administration, they'll say, well, I see now what he was trying to do." Read full transcript here. Permalink
Jefferson Ousted
The indicted Louisiana Rep. loses his reelection bid for a 10th term Saturday to little-known GOP attorney Anh "Joseph" Cao. Permalink
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