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Politics up to the Minute
Headlines from December 26th, 2008
Kennedy: I'll Have to Work Twice as Hard
The potential next New York Senator tells the AP she expects to have to work twice as hard as others if she's picked to replace Clinton in the Senate. Also tells NY1 television she's "an unconventional choice" and knows she'll need to prove herself if she gets the position. The interviews are Kennedy's first since expressing interest in Clinton's seat. Permalink
Obama Aides Dismiss Reports of Upcoming Trip to Iraq
WashPost: Advisers say Friday the president-elect has no plans to visit Iraq before his inauguration. Comes after reports from Baghdad that Iraq PM al-Maliki canceled an official trip to Iran because of a possible visit by Obama. Permalink
Another Gym Day in Hawaii for Obama
The president-elect once again visits the Semper Fit Center at Marine Corps Base Hawaii in Kailua early Friday. About three dozen onlookers were gathered in front of the gym and waved and snapped pictures of Obama. Read pool reports here and here. Permalink
Blagojevich Attorney Asks Panel for Subpoenas
Ed Genson has asked the legislative committee to subpoena more than a dozen witnesses, including incoming chief of staff Emanuel. Also asks for Valerie Jarrett, Jesse Jackson Jr. to testify. Permalink
O-Most
USA Today/Gallup poll: Americans choose Obama as the man they admire most in the world. It's the first time a president-elect has topped the annual survey in more than a half-century. Dates conducted: Dec. 12-14. Error margin: 3 percentage points. Permalink
The Kennedy Criticism Continues
NY Daily News hears from supporters who "say she could raise tons of money as a senator, but when it comes to writing checks to New York Democrats, she's been largely AWOL." Permalink
Pakistan Moves Troops Toward Indian Border
Pakistan begins moving some 20,000 troops away from the Afghan border toward India Friday amid tensions following the Mumbai attacks. The move represents a sharp escalation in the standoff between the nuclear-armed neighbors. Permalink
Obama Spent Two Hours Talking to Prosecutors About Blago
NY Times reports Obama sat down with four federal prosecutors in the Blago case for two hours last week. U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald was not present. Permalink
Huge Challenges vs. Big Assets
AP lays out the issues facing the president-elect, concluding that inheriting two wars and the worst economic conditions in three generations "might be a blessing." Permalink
Obama Keeping Low Profile on Holiday Vacation
WashPost: "He has been unusually private at the start of his 13-day holiday vacation, providing an early glimpse of what any tropical getaways during his presidency may be like." Permalink
Jindal in 2012?
Politico: "Jindal said he's not interested in being president, but there are signs that he truly is reserving judgment." Permalink
Retail Sales Plummet
WSJ on price-slashing failing to rescue a bleak holiday season for beleaguered retailers, as sales plunged across most categories. Plus: CNNMoney on a Grinchy holiday at the mall. And: AP on post-Christmas shopping not expected to be enough to save retailers from a terrible year. Permalink
Lessons From '92: "Offer Hope to GOP"
WSJ hears from Haley Barbour, RNC chair from the Clinton era, who says the key to Republican recovery isn't to start rebuilding from the top. Permalink
Expansion of Clinics Shapes a Bush Legacy
NYT on the president doubling federal financing for community health centers, enabling the creation or expansion of 1,297 clinics in underserved areas. And/But: A new study criticizes Bush's approach to war funding, and calls for changes. Permalink
At Least 200 Killed in Israeli Strike on Gaza
Israeli warplanes and helicopters launch rocket attacks into Hamas-ruled territory, retaliating for rocket attacks from Gaza to Israel. AP: "The single bloodiest day of fighting in recent memory." Reuters: Bloodiest day for Palestinians in more than 20 years of conflict. TIME: Why Israel attacked. Permalink
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