Archive - January 19, 2009 - The Page by Mark Halperin

The Page

Politics up to the Minute

Coleman Going After All Rejected Absentee Ballots

In the clearest sign yet that he's shifted strategies since falling behind in the recount, Coleman will push to have all 12,000 rejected absentee ballots reconsidered. Permalink

Transition Holds Clues to Obama Governance

NYT: "Obama has not been shy about making decisions expeditiously, but he has also sought to tap into the nation's intellectual dialogue." Plus: The Gray Lady looks at some hints of agenda and tone for the new First Lady. Permalink

Souvenir Rush

Comic books, soap and cookies are among the goods being hawked with images of the President-elect. Permalink

Asia Stocks Dive, Europe Makes Gains

Asian markets slid Tuesday, as Toyota reshuffled its top ranks. In Europe, key indexes were up as financial stocks sought to shake off losses. Permalink

Obama: McCain an "American Hero"

The president-elect offers kind words to his former rival Monday night at the first of series of bipartisan dinners in D.C. Watch a video here. "And there are few Americans who understand this need for common purpose and common effort better than John McCain." Full remarks here. Later: Obama travels to the National Building Museum for a dinner honoring Colin Powell. Pool report here. Even later: Attends a third dinner honoring Biden. Pool report here. Permalink

BUSHES HEADING HOME TUESDAY

The soon-to-be former president and his wife plan to leave D.C. from Andrews Air Force Base at 1:25 pm ET. He's expected to make remarks before his departure and then when he arrives in Midland, Texas around 6:20 pm ET. Permalink

Cindy McCain Slams "Media Bias"

The former candidate's wife says the media had "a specific agenda" during the campaign, says there's "very little difference now between journalism and gossip." In an interview with her daughter Meghan, says the NY Times was "scary" to contact another daughter's friends while reporting a profile of her. Permalink

Bush Frees Ignacio Ramos, Jose Compean

The president grants clemency to the two former Texas Border Patrol guards who shot a Mexican drug dealer fleeing a marijuana load in '05. Decision is celebrated by many from both parties who argue they were merely doing their jobs, received too harsh a sentence. Their 10-year prison sentences will now expire March 20, but their three-year terms of supervised release, fines remain intact. Plus: White House officials say Bush doesn’t plan to pardon I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby for his 2007 conviction in the CIA leak case. Permalink

Obama on Service: "Government Can Only Do So Much"

The president-elect speaks about community service at Northwest D.C.'s Calvin Coolidge High School, insists everyone is going to have to help. Says this is not a "one-day affair": "If we're waiting for someone else to do something, it never gets done." Afterwards goes around and shakes row after row of hands with his wife Michelle. Read pool report here. Permalink

Ben's Chili Bowl Overflows

Lines at the D.C. landmark grow even longer since Obama’s visit Jan. 10, now stretching down the street and around the corner. One visitor: “I just said, ‘I’ve got to go there, too.’” Permalink

McCain: Palin Could Be President Someday

The former presidential candidate tells Fox News Monday he thinks his former runningmate has the chops to make it to the Oval Office. "But I'd also like to point out that it's very early in this whole season." Adds he still speaks to Palin often. Permalink

Biden Team Downplays "Oprah" Comments

A spokeswoman says Jill Biden didn't intend to suggest Joe Biden was offered the secretary of state position on Monday's "Oprah Winfrey Show." "To be clear, President-elect Obama offered Vice President-elect Biden one job only -- to be his running mate." Read full statement. Earlier: Jill Biden suggests Obama offered her husband the secretary of state role in addition to the vice presidency. Permalink

Obama Team Shoulders Blame for Gay Bishop Slight

Politico: The president-elect's inaugural committee is apologizing for the failure to broadcast Sunday's invocation by the gay Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson. Obama team says they will rebroadcast the event -- including the prayer -- on the Mall jumbo screens Tuesday. , 1:40 PM

Obama Pitches In

The president-elect and Martin Luther King III tour a teenage homeless shelter in Northeast D.C. Monday morning. Details here. Obama then removes his jacket, grabs a paint roller and pitches in as workers paint a wall. Read pool report here. Says in brief remarks to the press: "Don’t underestimate the power for people to pull together and to accomplish amazing things." Meanwhile: Michelle Obama, her daughters and Jill Biden assemble troop care packages at RFK stadium. PHOTOS: Images from day's community service events. Permalink

Extra Workday for Bush Homeland Security Team

At the request of the new administration, Secretary Chertoff and his staff will stay on the job until 9 a.m. Wednesday. Move planned "to ensure a smooth transition” to the Obama team. Permalink