Headlines from January 1st, 2009

The vice president-elect sends out a statement Thursday praising the life of the former Rhode Island Senator and creator of the Pell grant. Full statement here. Pell died Thursday after a long battle with Parkinson's disease. He was 90. Washington Post: "He was committed to maritime and foreign affairs issues, strongly in favor of abortion rights, a consistent vote for labor and an ardent advocate of arms control and the rule of law in international affairs." Permalink

Obama to Host Commander-in-Chief's Inaugural Ball

The president-elect will continue the tradition Bush started in 2005 of holding a ball to honor active duty and reserve military. Guests will also include wounded warriors, families of fallen heroes and spouses of deployed military. It will be held Jan. 20 at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C. Read release here. Permalink

Paterson Opposes Senate Caretaker

An interim appointment had gained traction among Paterson's advisers in recent days but he roundly rejected the idea. "It would cause New York to lose seniority, and in the United States Senate, the most effective senators are the ones that have seniority. So, I'm hoping that the person I select wins a primary." Permalink

Palin: Bristol, Levi "Working Their Butts Off to Parent"

The former VP candidate tells People her 18-year-old daughter and her fiance plan to finish high school and work at the same time to support their son. Palin's grandson Tripp was born Saturday. Permalink

World Stocks Welcome Start of New Year

European, Asian and Pacific stock exchanges were mostly higher on the first trading day of the new year. Permalink

Obama and Pelosi to Discuss Economic Recovery Plan

The president-elect and the speaker of the House will meet Monday to talk about the stimulus package. And he plans to talk with President Bush and former presidents at the White House Wednesday. Plus: WSJ on how Obama is expected to round out his economic team next week with the selection of Cecilia Rouse, a Princeton University labor economist. Permalink

Bill Frist Out of 2010 Race

The former Senate Majority Leader announced that he will not run for governor of Tennessee in 2010. Permalink

Obama Starts Off '09 With a Workout

The president-elect kicks off the final morning of his vacation with a trip to the Semper Fit Center at Marine Corps Base Hawaii. Read pool report here. Permalink

Poll: Obama Leadership Rates as High as Bush's After 9/11

CNN/Opinion Research Corp national poll finds three-quarters of the public thinks Obama is a strong and decisive leader. It's the highest marks for a president-elect on that characteristic in nearly three decades. Dates conducted: December 19-21. Error margin: 4.5 points. Permalink

Senate Panels Set Hearings on Cabinet Selections

Congress plans to plunge into confirmation hearings on nominees to president-elect Obama’s cabinet when it convenes next week. The Senate leadership will focus on trying to approve Cabinet members dealing with national security and finance by the inauguration. Permalink

NY Daily News Wants the Waiting to End

The tabloid targets Gov. Paterson, calling for him to pick Clinton's replacement now. "If your choice is going to be Caroline Kennedy, you should do her a favor and select her now, because the daily guessing game and barrage of criticism from Democrats supporting other candidates is killing her." Plus: NY Post on Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, who had questioned whether Kennedy should be appointed, saying he's rethinking his views. Permalink

Wall Street Lost $6.9 Trillion in 2008

WashPost: "The losses in 2008 were so broad and deep that every sector in the Standard & Poor's 500-stock index took a double-digit hit, and the financial sector lost more than half of its value." Permalink