Archive - January 14, 2009 - The Page by Mark Halperin

The Page

Politics up to the Minute

World Markets Slide on Economic Woes

Europe joined Asia and Wall Street in a global selloff on the heels of the latest discouraging economic news. Permalink

Poll: Nervous Americans Back Stimulus

From NBC News/WSJ: What do you think of the proposed stimulus plan? Good idea: 43%; bad idea: 27%. Plus: Three-quarters think the recession will last another year or more. Obama gets continued good grades on the transition, with 71% support. Conducted Jan. 9-12; error margin 3.1 points. Permalink

The Audacity of Hoops

Sports Illustrated examines the "outsized role" of basketball in shaping Obama's youth and manhood. Brother-in-law Craig Robinson: Basketball is why the president-elect "is sitting where he's sitting." Plus: SI says Obama's cabinet could fill three respectable pickup squads, and says the NBA has offered to help install a full court in the White House. Permalink

A Supreme Visit

The president- and VP-elects pay a pre-inaugural trip to the Supreme Court Wednesday afternoon. They visited at the invitation of Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr. It marks the third time in recent history that a president- and VP-elect have visited the court. Details here. PHOTOS: See more here. Permalink

Obama: Finding Bin Laden Not Essential

The president-elect tells CBS that the terror leader must be "pinned down," but not necessarily killed or captured. "If we have so tightened the noose that he's in a cave somewhere and can't even communicate with his operatives, then we will meet our goal of protecting America." Read more here. Also tells Katie Couric the U.S. must "withdraw in a responsible way" from Iraq and focus on Afghanistan. Permalink

Biden: "Things Are Going to Get Tougher in Afghanistan Before They Get Better"

The VP-elect tells reporters before briefing the president on his southwest Asia trip that he and Sen. Graham spent a lot of time speaking with commanders in Afghanistan. "There needs to be more resources to attend to in the situation of Afghanistan. It has not gotten better." Also makes remarks on Pakistan, praises the U.S. military, says he made it clear he wasn't there to make policy but to listen. Read pool report here. Permalink

BLAGO IMPEACHED -- AGAIN

The Illinois House reaffirms last week's vote by passing another resolution 117-1 to impeach the governor. The second impeachment was needed because of Wednesday's seating of a new legislature, comes hours after Blago presides over the swearing-in of state senators. Earlier: The embattled Illinois governor tells state lawmakers Wednesday he hopes they will "find the truth and sort things out." Plus: Illinois Senate hears the official impeachment charges against Blago and signs a summons informing him of his trial on their first day back. Permalink

Cheney: Iraq Tougher Than We Thought

Outgoing VP tells PBS that calling the Bush presidency a failure is “dead wrong,” insists the administration “dealt with big issues.” Acknowledges that he “underestimated” the challenge of building a new Iraqi government. But asked if the war has been worth the cost says, “I think so.” Read transcript here. Permalink

Obama Not Concerned About Geithner Confirmation

The president-elect says Wednesday he doesn't think reports about the treasury secretary-designate's taxes, former housekeeper will derail his nomination. Points out Geithner "corrected" his tax situation, which Obama said was the result of "innocent mistakes." "My expectation is that Tim Geithner will be confirmed." Read details here. Click above to watch. Permalink

Obama Lauds House for Passing S-CHIP

The president-elect releases a statement saying he's "so pleased" that Democrats and Republicans united to pass the children's health care bill. "I hope that the Senate acts with the same sense of urgency so that it can be one of the first measures I sign into law when I am president." Full statement here. Permalink

Right, Left, Hut!

After dining with conservative columnists Tuesday, Obama meets with liberals Wednesday, including Frank Rich, Maureen Dowd, Rachel Maddow. More names here. Andrew Sullivan: "His great gift is showing that he does not expect people to change their convictions in order to find common areas of agreement." Tuesday's lamb chop dinner at George Will's home also included Lowry, Noonan, Barone and Gigot. Larry Kudlow: "We just had a great back and forth. And he wants to keep the dialogue going with conservatives." More details here. Permalink

Poll: Bush Gets End-of-Term Bounce

From USA Today/Gallup: President’s approval rating improves to 34%, up from 29% in December. Disapproval fell, from 67% to 61%. Dates conducted: Jan. 9-11. Error margin: 3%. Permalink

Obama Team Makes Pitch to GOP for Bailout Funds

Aides Emanuel, Summers meet with Republicans Wednesday to brief them on their plans for the second $350 billion. Senate Minority Leader McConnell says he wants assurances that “this money will not be wasted.” Permalink

Reports: Retired Fighter Pilot Could Head NASA

Sources close to the transition say retired Air Force officer Jonathan Scott Gration may be tapped to head the space agency. Gration, a former Obama military adviser, is an outsider to the space community but said to be close to the president-elect. Permalink

GEITHNER HEARING PUSHED TO AFTER INAUGURATION

NY Times: The treasury secretary nominee’s confirmation hearing has been delayed until Jan. 21 after GOP objected to holding it Friday. Comes after reports Geithner didn't pay some taxes, his part-time housekeeper's work authorization expired during her employment. Permalink