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Politics up to the Minute

Obama Congratulates Iraqis on Provincial Elections

The president calls the voting an important step forward as Iraqis continue taking responsibility for their future. Read White House statement here. Permalink

Obama to Outline Bailout Spending Plan Soon

The president says in his weekly radio address Saturday his administration will outline a strategy shortly for the remaining $350 billion. "Just as we jump-start job creation, we must also ensure that markets are stable, credit is flowing and families can stay in their homes." Watch video above. Read transcript here. Permalink

Tax Problems for ANOTHER Obama Nominee

Senate Finance Committee will meet privately Monday at 5 pm ET to discuss delayed confirmation hearings for the HHS Secretary-designate. Daschle is under fire for failing to pay more than $128,000 in taxes, partly for the free use of a car and driver provided to him. NY Times: Spokeswoman says Daschle is answering all the committee's questions, expects to be confirmed. Permalink

Obama Half Brother Arrested

Kenyan police picked up George Obama Saturday for possession of marijuana. George Obama and the president have the same father but barely know each other. Permalink

ON THE SUNDAY SHOWS

This Week: Rep. Frank, Sen. DeMint, Google CEO Schmidt, FedEx CEO Smith; Roundtable with NY Times' Sanger WashPost's Woodward, ABC's Raddatz, Will Meet the Press: Sens. Hutchison, Kerry; Roundtable with CNBC's Burnett, CEO Steve Forbes, Moody's Zandi Face the Nation: Sens. McConnell, Schumer; NY Times' Brooks Fox News Sunday: Sens. Durbin, Kyl State of the Union: Govs. Pawlenty, Granholm; Sens. Feinstein, Ensign; former labor secretary Reich; Grover Norquist Permalink

White House Wants to Limit Commercial Use of President

Bloomberg: Obama lawyers are looking to control the use of the president's image to sell merchandise across the world. At the same time they're trying "not to squelch the overwhelming enthusiasm that the public has for the president." Permalink

Gibbs: "I'm Not Going to Lie From That Podium"

The White House press secretary tells CBS Radio Saturday that he and his staff have "had a pretty frenetic pace" but downplays any prospect of burnout. Permalink

Axelrod: Geithner Eyeing Wall Street Bonuses

Obama's senior adviser tells Bloomberg's Al Hunt that the Treasury Secretary will have something to say about the situation as early as next week. Permalink

Headlines from January 30th, 2009

Obama Talks Trade in First Call to China

The president phones communist Chinese President Hu Jintao Friday, stresses the need to "correct global trade imbalances." Also agree to work together on global issues, particularly North Korea, Iran, Afghanistan/Pakistan, counterterrorism and more. Read White House statement here. Permalink

Man of Steele

The former Maryland Lt. Gov is voted in as the first African American RNC chair after six rounds of ballots, Beats out South Carolina GOP Chair Katon Dawson 91 to 77. Vows to help the GOP win in all regions in the U.S. in post-election remarks: "This is our opportunity. I cannot do this by myself." Transcript here. Permalink

First Lady Ventures Out for Lunch

Michelle Obama dines Friday with Jill Biden and D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty at Georgia Brown’s. The one-hour meal was Obama's first solo outing since moving into the White House. Permalink

Obama to Sign-Off on Digital Delay

Gibbs says in his Friday briefing that the president will sign a bill to give consumers more time to make switch from analag to digital TV. Comes after Senate passed the bill Thursday for the second time. House plans to try again after vote failed last week. Permalink

More Military Meetings for President Obama

He met with senior enlisted officials of the U.S. Armed Forces in the Situation Room Friday afternoon. Permalink

McCaskill Trashes "Idiots" on Wall Street

The Missouri Democrat introduces a bill in the Senate Friday to cap compensation of employees of companies getting bailout money. "We have bunch of idiots on Wall Street that are kicking sand in the face of the American taxpayer. They don't get it!" Permalink