The Page
Politics up to the Minute
Headlines from December 11th, 2008
Inauguration Mall Camping Gets Nixed
The public won't be allowed to stake out spots on the mall for next month's inauguration until 7 am on the 20th. Secret Service says estimates of 4 million visitors are exaggerated. Permalink
Spokesman: Blagojevich "Upbeat, Positive"
A spokesman says the governor hopes to "return to normalcy" two days after his arrest. Says he doesn't know if Blagojevich plans to step down: "That's something that obviously he'll decide on his own." Plus: DNC chair Dean joins calls for the governor to "resign immediately." Read full statement. And: NYT on the Service Employees International Union being caught up in the case. Permalink
Suicide Bomber Kills 55 in Iraq
The blast in a crowded restaurant near Kirkuk is the deadliest attack in Iraq in six months. Comes as tensions rise between Kurds and Arabs. Permalink
Obama Meets with Former Secretaries of State
The president-elect spends an hour with James Baker and Warren Christopher in Chicago, with Lee Hamilton on the phone. Baker and Christopher served on a war powers commission that called for Congress to play a larger role when the country goes to war. Permalink
Report: Blagojevich Owes Lawyers At Least $500,000
WSJ: The cash-strapped governor stopped paying his legal fees amid a years-long investigation into his administration. A law partner: "If he asked us to represent him, we'd say no." Plus: Illinois poll puts Blago's approval rating at 7%. TIME: How a governor self-destructed. Permalink
The Big Five: Friday Edition
HALPERIN'S TAKE: The five most important people in American politics right now -- who aren't Barack Obama. Permalink
McConnell Opposes Auto Bailout, Likely Dooming It
The Senate GOP leader breaks with the White House over the $14 billion measure, saying it would "subsidize failure." Politico: Opposition is "all but assuring its defeat this week and forcing the administration to consider other emergency steps...." NY Times: Bailout appears dead. Marist Poll: 48% oppose government loans to automakers. The Dow Jones skids 200 points amid the news. Permalink
"I Think the Public Trust Has Been Violated"
The president-elect calls on Blagojevich to resign during a morning presser at the Chicago Hilton. "I was as appalled and disappointed as anybody by the revelations earlier this week... I don't think the governor at this point can effectively serve the people of Illinois." Also says no one in his office had any involvement in the alleged "pay to play" scandal. "That would be a violation of everything that this campaign would be about, and that's not how we do business." Read his prepared comments here, and click above to watch. Read the full transcript. Permalink
White House: Blago Charges "Astounding"
Spokeswoman Dana Perino says President Bush believes the Illinois scandal is "a very serious situation" and that "the charges are astounding." Permalink
Obama Taps Daschle
As expected, the president-elect nominates the former Senate Majority Leader to run the Department of Health and Human Services. At Chicago presser calls Daschle "one of America's foremost health care experts" and "the original no-drama guy, known for speaking softly but leading boldly." Read his prepared comments here. Also taps Jeanne Lambrew to be Daschle's deputy. Permalink
Clinton to See Pay Cut
The likely secretary of state will make about $5,000 less than predecessor Condoleezza Rice. Congress lowered the secretary of state's income to comply with an obscure provision of the Constitution. Permalink
Franken Keeps Fighting Ahead of Friday Meeting
The Minnesota Democrat files legal papers before Friday’s canvassing board meeting, demanding that disqualified absentee ballots in the race be counted. Attorney: “It is clearly not acceptable that these votes not count.” Incumbent Republican Coleman maintains a 192-vote edge. Permalink
Illinois AG Threatens to Act Against Blagojevich
Lisa Madigan tells CNN she's prepared to go to court to have the governor declared unfit for office if he doesn't resign soon. "I have the opportunity to actually go to our Illinois Supreme Court and ask them to declare basically that our governor is unable to serve." Plus: Speaking on NBC's "Today" Thursday, Lt. Gov Quinn said that if he's made governor, he may opt to appoint Obama's Senate replacement rather than wait for a special election. Permalink
Plouffe Speaks
In a long interview with Portfolio.com, Obama’s campaign manager attributes win in part to lack of “internal tension and in-fighting” that plagued the Clinton and McCain camps. “A leak could not be tolerated, it wasn't who we are.” Also says Clinton might have won if she had contested the caucus states. Read excerpts here. Permalink
Hawaii Man Arrested After Threats to Obama
A man with a schizophrenic disorder is arrested after allegedly telling his doctor, and then Secret Service agents, that he intended to attack Obama during his upcoming vacation. Authorities also confiscated a Russian assault rifle. Permalink
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