2008 Election Thread IV - Vote early, vote often

[Jedieb]

After more than 2.5 million votes the Coleman v. Franken race is seperated by only 571 votes! Coleman has the lead but the incredibly narrow margin will automatically trigger a recount. Wow, that's just simply amazing.

It looks like Alaska is about to elect a convicted felon. WTF?


I'm just sorry to see that here in California, Proposition h8te passed. That is a terrible shame.
I'm stunned that passed. Gay people are at least a generation away from getting a break. It is a 'terrible shame.' Hell, I think it's a disgrace.

[Yog]

It looks like Alaska is about to elect a convicted felon. WTF?
Ted the Convict. Palin palling around with convicts...

I wonder if he will be be able to vote on bills from prison. ;)

[CMJ]

Probably the most important matter on our ballot in LA County to me was Measure R. It was a sales tax increase to pump like 40 Billion dollars into expanding and renovating our bus and train lines in LA County. I was a huge proponent of this...and it had to pass with a two thirds majority.

I sweated it out deep into the night/morning - but it passed with 67.4% of the vote. Woohoo!!

[Jedi Master Carr]

Probably the most important matter on our ballot in LA County to me was Measure R. It was a sales tax increase to pump like 40 Billion dollars into expanding and renovating our bus and train lines in LA County. I was a huge proponent of this...and it had to pass with a two thirds majority.

I sweated it out deep into the night/morning - but it passed with 67.4% of the vote. Woohoo!!

Congrats that is great, we need more programs like that in our cities.

[Yog]

I've been listening to Rush Limbaugh for the last hour or so. Man that crackpot is hilarious. :lol

"They stole the election!"

"We have not been on the ballot since the 60s."

"Wallstreet is down, why has not Obama fixed the economy yet?"

"The socialists are taking over the country!"

"You're listening to America's truth detector, the Doctor of Democracy."

Next up after Limbaugh is Hannity.

http://www.wabcradio.com

[Yog]

Obama transition team announced (http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/11/05/obama-transition-team-announced/)



(CNN) — Barack Obama and Joe Biden formally announced their transition team Wednesday, and named former Clinton chief of staff John Podesta, longtime Obama advisor Valerie Jarrett, and Pete Rouse, Obama's Senate chief of staff, to oversee the operation.

Full announcement after the jump

Chicago - For the past several months, a board of advisors has been informally planning for a possible presidential transition. Among the many projects undertaken by the transition board have been detailed analyses of previous transition efforts, policy statements made during the campaign, and the workings of federal government agencies, and priority positions that must be filled by the incoming administration.

With Barack Obama and Joe Biden's election, this planning process will be now be formally organized as the Obama-Biden Transition Project, a 501(c)(4) organization to ensure a smooth transition from one administration to the next. The work of this entity will be overseen by three co-chairs: John Podesta, Valerie Jarrett, and Pete Rouse.

The co-chairs will be assisted by an advisory board comprised of individuals with significant private and public sector experience: Carol Browner, William Daley, Christopher Edley, Michael Froman, Julius Genachowski, Donald Gips, Governor Janet Napolitano, Federico Peña, Susan Rice, Sonal Shah, Mark Gitenstein, and Ted Kaufman. Gitenstein and Kaufman will serve as co-chairs of Vice President-elect Biden's transition team.

Supervising the day-to-day activities of the transition will be:

Transition Senior Staff:

Chris Lu - Executive Director

Dan Pfeiffer - Communications Director

Stephanie Cutter - Chief Spokesperson

Cassandra Butts - General Counsel

Jim Messina - Personnel Director

Patrick Gaspard - Associate Personnel Director

Christine Varney - Personnel Counsel

Melody Barnes - Co-Director of Agency Review

Lisa Brown - Co-Director of Agency Review

Phil Schiliro - Director of Congressional Relations

Michael Strautmanis - Director of Public Liaison and Intergovernmental Affairs

Katy Kale - Director of Operations

Brad Kiley - Director of Operations

New York Times article (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/05/us/politics/05ahead.html?_r=1&hp&oref=login)



.. also, Bush puts partisanship aside and is willing to try make the transition for Obama as smooth as possible:

http://edition.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/11/05/reaction.bush/index.html


WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Bush on Wednesday hailed the election of Barack Obama as "a triumph of the American story."

Obama's rise to become the nation's first black president is "a testament to hard work, optimism and a faith in the enduring promise of our nation," Bush said in the White House Rose Garden.

"No matter how they cast their ballots, all Americans can be proud of the history that was made yesterday," said Bush, whose second term in the Oval Office will end when Obama is sworn in on January 20.

Bush said he had called Obama and had also spoken to his opponent, Sen. John McCain.

"I congratulated [McCain] on a determined campaign that he and Gov. [Sarah] Palin ran," the president said.

Bush said turning over the White House to Obama "will be a stirring sight."

"I know millions of Americans will be overcome with pride at this inspiring moment that so many have waited for for so long," Bush said.

Moving toward Obama's January 20 inauguration, Bush promised the president-elect he can count on "complete cooperation" as he makes the transition to the White House.

Speaking later at the State Department, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said her department "will do everything that we can" to ensure a smooth transition.

Rice, an African-American like Obama, also called Tuesday's election "an extraordinary step forward" in the nation's history.

"I am especially proud because this is a country that's been through a long journey in terms of overcoming wounds, and making race not the factor in our lives," Rice said.

Bush warned America's enemies not to expect any letup in national security during the transition.

"The United States government will stay vigilant in meeting its most important responsibility, protecting the American people," Bush said.

On Thursday, Obama is expected to receive his first top-secret intelligence briefing, similar to the one Bush gets every day, according to U.S. officials familiar with the process.

In a message to CIA employees obtained by CNN, CIA Director Michael Hayden says Director of National Intelligence Michael McConnell will lead Obama's first briefing.

Bush pledged to fulfill his duties as president until the final day of his presidency.
"I will continue to conduct the people's business as long as the office remains in my trust," the nation's 43rd president said.

[Dasquian Belargic]

I really envy you (Americans) all, having an election you can actually get passionate about. I can't imagine, now, there ever being partying in the streets because one political candidate has triumphed over another.

[Razielle Alastor]

:dance:dance:dance this is me being happy. :p

[Yog]

Fox News: Palin didn't know Africa was a continent :eek :eek :eek

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[Rutabaga]

I really envy you (Americans) all, having an election you can actually get passionate about. I can't imagine, now, there ever being partying in the streets because one political candidate has triumphed over another.

I will be 45 years old in January. I immediately registered to vote when I was 18, and I have voted in every election since then. I have NEVER seen a reaction to a presidential election like the one I saw last night. You usually see that kind of partying after the Super Bowl or the NBA playoffs. And to see that kind of partying going on around the world too...wow! Huffington Post has had slideshows on their homepage all day with pictures from around the world, and it's just been amazing.

Yog, that video is really interesting, especially since it's from Faux Noise...it's sad and scary to realize what a lot of us had suspected was true, that the Palin selection was a total Hail Mary and badly botched. Overall the McCain campaign was so badly run, it's morbidly fascinating. If someone writes a really good objective examination of it, I think it's a book that I would be very interested in reading.

Oh, and a quick update about Proposition h8te...as I'd expected, legal challenges have been filed over it. My understanding of it is that it's being challenged on the grounds that a change to the state constitution is something so major that it can't be decided by the electorate, it needs to go through the state legislature to make it legitimate. It will be interesting to see how this plays out.

[Atreyu]

... After a minute, Palin sailed into the room wearing nothing but a towel, with another on her wet hair. Yikes - I originally read that as "...wearing nothing but a towel around her wet hair". It'll take me a week to get that image out of my head. |I

Oh, and while I'm here, from http://www.theroot.com/id/48691:


Five Things White People Shouldn't Do (now that they have a black president):

Black people aren't the only ones worried about embarassing themselves now that Obama is president-elect. Here are a few pointers for white people.

1. Don't personally congratulate all your black friends.
Black people are not a sports team, and Obama did not win the Super Bowl.

2. Don't declare that you "never thought you'd see the day."
You never thought you'd see the day?

3. Don't start crossing the street in order to walk next to a black person.
President Obama is glad you support racial reconciliation, but he takes a hard line against jaywalking.

4. Don't name drop "Dr. King."
If you absolutely must make some comment about how this is a victory for civil rights, pick a marginally less obvious figurehead.

5. Don't use the phrase "white people" in any way that suggests it doesn't include you.
Contrary to popular belief, having voted for Obama does not make you even "semi-down." Sorry if there was any confusion there.
:lol I loved #3

[Lilaena De'Ville]

I just hope that people don't think that I did or did not vote for Obama because he was black. I didn't vote for him but it wasn't because of the color of his skin but because of his policies and beliefs. When I first registered to vote and voted in my first presidential primaries in California (2000) I voted for a black man. Unfortunately there was no way Alan Keyes was going to get the nomination.

So if I complain about Obama in the years to come, am I going to be told I'm racist? :shakefist I am not racist!

[Park Kraken]

So if I complain about Obama in the years to come, am I going to be told I'm racist? I am not racist!

I think (hopefully) now that Obama is actually in office and the elections are behind us, that will die down some. I know I'm tired of being called a racist (and worst) for just trying to debate against Obama.

[Jedi Master Carr]

I just hope that people don't think that I did or did not vote for Obama because he was black. I didn't vote for him but it wasn't because of the color of his skin but because of his policies and beliefs. When I first registered to vote and voted in my first presidential primaries in California (2000) I voted for a black man. Unfortunately there was no way Alan Keyes was going to get the nomination.

So if I complain about Obama in the years to come, am I going to be told I'm racist? :shakefist I am not racist!

I wouldn't consider somebody a racist for disagreeing with him or not liking his policies. Now I know true racists and I know what they are saying and thinking. I do say give him a chance in his first 100 days and see what he does.

[Lilaena De'Ville]

Oh, I'll be watching. But for four years, not just 100 days.

[Byl Laprovik]

I just hope that people don't think that I did or did not vote for Obama because he was black. I didn't vote for him but it wasn't because of the color of his skin but because of his policies and beliefs. When I first registered to vote and voted in my first presidential primaries in California (2000) I voted for a black man. Unfortunately there was no way Alan Keyes was going to get the nomination.

So if I complain about Obama in the years to come, am I going to be told I'm racist? :shakefist I am not racist!


We all know that race had nothing to do with your choice. You just didn't want to elect a Muslim, is all :p

j/k ;)

[CMJ]

Looking at the demographics off of the exit polling, I have to believe that the post Lyndon Johnson era of GOP rule of the White House is over. Since 1968 Republicans have held the Executive branch 28 of 40 years, but the demographics have shifted almost totally against the Republicans. They will have to moderate their stances and make the Religious Right insignificant or we may have a permanent majority of Democratic rule for years.

I'm not saying the occassional Republican can't win if the economy is bad or whatever, but I think the era of Regan is finished.

[Yog]

^^ I agree with CMJ here.

I also think conservativism has watered out in the republican party, meaning they are not even real conservatives any more. The libertarians, those are the real conservatives, in my view. GOP has become neo conservative, pandering to the religious right, and the rich, claiming they are "small government" when they are less fiscal responsible than the Democrats. And then they attack the spirit of the constitution by intruding people's privacy (overturning Roe & Wade / patriot act), suspending Habeas corpus (Gitmo), and playing intervention politics (world police) on the international stage.



I just hope that people don't think that I did or did not vote for Obama because he was black.
I respect conservatives for voting McCain, as long as it is founded on honest political views or admiration of McCain's character. I am pretty sure at least the former applies to you, LD. You're probably voting what you believe is best for your country, and that is what democracy is all about. We have different views, and that is ok. :)


On a different note, more news on the new cabinet:

White House chief of staff: Rahm Emanuel
White House press secretary: Robert Gibbs

http://edition.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/11/06/obama.transition/index.html


(CNN) -- Rep. Rahm Emanuel has accepted Barack Obama's offer to be White House chief of staff, according to a Democratic aide.

The Office of the Chief of Staff oversees and coordinates activities and communication among various departments of the administration.

Emanuel helped lead Democrats to majority control of the House in 2006. He was elected to the House in 2002 and is the fourth-highest-ranking member of the chamber's Democratic leadership.

He also worked on President Clinton's first presidential campaign and served as a White House adviser to Clinton.

Emanuel had earlier said that he was honored to be considered for the position, but had a lot to think about on a personal level.

"I have a lot to weigh: the basis of public service, which I've given my life to, a career choice. But, most importantly, what I want to do as a parent," he told Chicago's WLS-TV in an interview that aired Wednesday.

Obama is also expected to announce his press secretary pick, as early as Thursday afternoon, and observers believe it will be Robert Gibbs, the communications director for his presidential campaign.

...

Obama is thinking about bringing GOP Sens. Chuck Hagel and Dick Lugar on board, according to sources close to the president-elect.

Hagel, R-Nebraska, is a Vietnam War veteran and fierce critic of the Bush administration's handling of the Iraq war.

Lugar, R-Indiana, is minority leader of the Foreign Relations Committee and worked with Obama last year to expand a program aimed at destroying weapons of mass destruction in the former Soviet Union.

Also, the sources say Obama is considering adding Robert Gates -- Bush's defense secretary -- to his national security team.

...

President Bush and Obama will meet "early next week," the president said Thursday. The meeting will be face-to-face, deputy White House spokesman Scott Stanzel said. He would not confirm the exact date of the talks.

John Podesta, a former chief of staff under Clinton, is among those leading Obama's transition team. Valerie Jarrett, one of Obama's top advisers, and Peter Rouse, Obama's Senate chief of staff, are also involved in the effort.

Obama will begin publicizing "the steps that he'll be taking to get prepared to lead on January 20," Jarrett said shortly after Obama gave his victory speech.

Filling out his economic team is a top priority for Obama as he begins to implement a strategy to quell the economic crisis. See the candidates

"This is one of the first times that I can remember that the secretary of the treasury is going to be almost as important as the secretary of state," said CNN senior political analyst David Gergen, who served in the Reagan and Clinton administrations.

...

Names circulating for the secretary of the treasury position include Timothy Geithner, Lawrence Summers and Paul Volcker, among others.

Geithner helped deal with Wall Street's financial meltdown earlier this year, overseeing the acquisition of Bear Stearns by JPMorgan Chase and the bailouts of AIG and Lehman Brothers. He was appointed president of the New York Federal Reserve in November 2003.

Summers was appointed treasury secretary in July 1999 and served as the chief economist of the World Bank from 1991 through 1993. Before his career in government, he taught economics at Harvard.

Volcker is a former chairman of the Federal Reserve, serving under Presidents Carter and Reagan. He also worked in the private sector as an investment banker and headed the investigation into the United Nations' oil-for-food program for Iraq.

The White House is holding an economic summit November 15. Obama could delay naming his economic team to avoid interfering with the G-20 summit.

Obama's national security team is another priority as the country fights wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. It could also be an area where he goes outside his party for an appointee.

Hagel and Gates are both being considered.

Gates has served in Bush's cabinet for almost two years. He worked for the Central Intelligence Agency for 27 years, serving as its director from 1991 through 1993. He also served as deputy national security adviser under President George H. W. Bush.
"What Barack Obama has to do in the transition time is set the tone," Borger said. "If he reaches out to Republicans in the cabinet -- if he decided to keep Bob Gates at Defense -- that's really, really important."

[Rutabaga]

I just hope that people don't think that I did or did not vote for Obama because he was black. I didn't vote for him but it wasn't because of the color of his skin but because of his policies and beliefs. When I first registered to vote and voted in my first presidential primaries in California (2000) I voted for a black man. Unfortunately there was no way Alan Keyes was going to get the nomination.

So if I complain about Obama in the years to come, am I going to be told I'm racist? :shakefist I am not racist!

I would never point a finger at any McCain supporter who has posted here and call them a racist. Because I work with one of them, and I know what they sound like, unfortunately. And no one here sounds like her at all. She told people she would never vote for Obama because he's black, and it turns out she has made racially insensitive and inflammatory statements about Mexicans and Filipinos before as well. I really wish that people like her who live in the racial Dark Ages could let go of their ignorance and fear and join the rest of us in the Real World in the 21st century. :(

[Lilaena De'Ville]

We all know that race had nothing to do with your choice. You just didn't want to elect a Muslim, is all :p

j/k ;)
har har har

[Atreyu]

One development in a lot of the online discussions I've been reading is how people are now moving to discussing the future of the Republican Party itself - with opinions ranging from they'll be back with a bang in 2010, to we're seeing the GOP's demise and the chance of a third party arising out of it's ashes.

Anyway, a blogger on RedState.com has posted their thoughts - certainly doesn't pull any punches (especially the 'destroy the Media' comment) but makes some interesting comments (notably that Roe vs. Wade has been lost for another generation or so):

http://www.redstate.com/diaries/dave_in_fla/2008/nov/05/can-we-now-dispense-with-some-myths/

[Jaime Tomahawk]

Anyway, a blogger on RedState.com has posted their thoughts - certainly doesn't pull any punches (especially the 'destroy the Media' comment) but makes some interesting comments (notably that Roe vs. Wade has been lost for another generation or so):

http://www.redstate.com/diaries/dave_in_fla/2008/nov/05/can-we-now-dispense-with-some-myths/


THAT passes as intelligent thought on that blog? For crying out loud, that was a complete denial of reality. It's this exact thought process and denial at what happened that will make sure a) Palin is seen as a viable alternative (when she is the biggest frigging moron ever presented and any party that thinks she's close to acceptible needs to be reamed) and b) that they actually miss the real reasons why they are given the boot. Both of which will lead to a complete obliteration in 2012.

[Figrin D'an]

I don't see the GOP dying out, or a third party forming in some kind of split, but I do think there are enough intelligent conservatives (primarily fiscal and constitutional conservatives) who are understanding that this election should be viewed a referendum against the current GOP and are prepared to push for some serious reforms to the party's platform.

[Jedi Master Carr]

I don't see the GOP dying out, or a third party forming in some kind of split, but I do think there are enough intelligent conservatives (primarily fiscal and constitutional conservatives) who are understanding that this election should be viewed a referendum against the current GOP and are prepared to push for some serious reforms to the party's platform.


A split is possible, but things would have to deteriorate very bad for that happen. The last time a major part fell apart it was the Whig party and that fell apart because of major bickering, Henry Clay's Death, and they fell out of power for years.

About that blog post that guy is in serious denial and is ranting. I mean destroy the media? What does he want a fascist state? If people like that are running the Republican party they are in trouble.

[Rutabaga]

Jed Lewison has put together a 10-minute compilation video of highlights from Tuesday night. It's really well-done, and here I am, 4 days later, and it all still makes me feel all goofy and happy inside. :)

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[Atreyu]

^ that was a great video :). I was quite struck by the shots of Fox News when they were announcing that Ohio had gone for Obama - it almost sounded like when someone announces a person has passed away.

Only 1 quibble - at around the 5 min mark the announcer says "the White House will see children for the first time since the Kennedy years". What, no love for Amy Carter? :p (she was 9 when Jimmy Carter was elected)

[Rutabaga]

^ that was a great video :). I was quite struck by the shots of Fox News when they were announcing that Ohio had gone for Obama - it almost sounded like when someone announces a person has passed away.

Only 1 quibble - at around the 5 min mark the announcer says "the White House will see children for the first time since the Kennedy years". What, no love for Amy Carter? :p (she was 9 when Jimmy Carter was elected)

I caught that too...nobody ever seems to remember poor Amy! ;)

Speaking of Fox...on last night's episode of Real Time with Bill Maher, they had a great moment where they doctored the footage from Fox when they announced that Obama had won. And then suddenly everyone's heads started exploding. It was kinda bloody, and pretty funny too :lol.

[Jedieb]

Karl Rove is Overrated
I can't stress this enough. Yes, he beat Democrats twice. But look at the margins. Without the help of the Republican machine in Florida, confusing ballots, and Gore sighs he LOSES Florida and the 2000 election. And if you switch 100,000 votes in Ohio in 04 he loses that election as well. Democrats have won the popular vote in 4 of the past 5 presidential elections. The 'permanent majority' that many Republicans believed they had was an illusion. Rove's lasting legacy is that he helpd drive the party into the ground.

Republicans need to do some serious soul searching and figure out just what direction that party is going to take. There are plenty of conservatives who must shake their heads when they see the adoring crowds that Palin draws. If you're a conservative that values intellect, Palin sends a shiver down your spine. But she's going to be a force, make no mistake. You're also going to have to deal with Newt. Guys like Robert Novak are already making noise that 'only' Newt can restore the party and bring it back to power.

Democrats can't get too full of themselves either. We probably are a center left country right now, but that center is more improtant than the left part. It's going to be interesting to see how Obama handles House Democrats next year. A lot of them have been waiting for this election. But if they think they've got a mandate to go wild and get every thing on their far left wish list they're kidding themselves. I think that Obama has the potential to guide the country through this economic mess and have a succesful presidency. But these next couple of years are going to be brutal. I think we're looking at a typical recession, that's at least 18 months of a crappy economy. Things aren't going to suddenly turn around just because Obama's sitting behing the desk in the Oval Office.

Elections Aren't Over
The Democrats still have a chance to pull out the senate races in Minnesota and Alaska. They're still thousands of votes to be counted in Alaska. I don't just want Stevens to lose because he's a Republican, I want him to lose because if he does manage to hold on there's a high probability that we'll end up with Palin in the Senate. Stevens will simply NOT be allowed to serve in the Senate. He's going to either be forced to resign or be expelled. And that means a special election in Alaska and it's Palin's for the taking. I want her back in the wilderness of Alaska because I'm tired of hearing about her. In the Senate she'll have a national platform and the media will elevate her to a status she simply doesn't deserve. If you're a die hard Republican you don't want her in DC either. For the sake of your party you should be wanting this woman's 15 minutes to end as fast as possible.

The Franken and Coleman race is down to just 221 votes. The election hasn't even been certified. The vote total seems to be changing day to day. When they finally get around to the recount in a couple of weeks Franken's odds are looking pretty good. The final tally will probably change by a few thousand votes and it's basically a tie right now.

Now, I don't think that a fillibuster proof 60 majority is that big of a deal. Frankly, any legislation that needs 60 party line votes probably isn't that great a piece of work. Most of the time, you can find a few votes from moderates on the other side.

[CMJ]

Rove wasn't a legend in Texas because of Bush. He WAS a great tactician. He had a part in something like 50 successful elections or something obscene like that.

And some of the underhanded things he did in the smaller races make his stuff he did with Bush look like small potatos.

[Jaime Tomahawk]

Democrats can't get too full of themselves either. We probably are a center left country right now, but that center is more improtant than the left part. side.

Your country is centre right. Obama in any other country would be a conservative candidate.

[Lilaena De'Ville]

I just don't understand why Charley is so in favor of him, considering how anti-2nd amendment he is...?

[Charley]

I just don't understand why Charley is so in favor of him, considering how anti-2nd amendment he is...?

Most firearm legislation occurs at the state/municipal level, and I'm not a single-issue voter.

Even if Obama let his moron veep give him any ideas about AWB part deux, good luck floating that in this congress. The Senate majority is buoyed by conservative democrats picked up in droves in 2006, namely Jim "that's not mine, it's my assistants, YEEEAH" Webb, who's probably gatted up 24/7 after the Heller ruling :)

The 1994 AWB was a critical bone of contention that led to a bicameral GOP takeover that same year. Obviously it wasn't the sole or even main reason, but Clinton himself cited it as a proverbial bridge too far, and the legislature got burned for that and other similar gaffes made to spite the center.

Obama's history at the Harvard Law review and his Senate track record on co-sponsorships seem to show he's more about compromise and results than pushing a party line. I'm not saying I'm completely cozy on his stance on the issue. There is no doubt I disagree with him. But at the very least, I think that he can discuss the issue rationally and understand the scope of it.

[Yog]

Obama only got 2 wars to deal with (3 if you count the war on terror), a collapsing economy, changing the entire energy infrastructure to fight global warming and making america enegy independent, overhauling the health care system. On top of that, the congress is pro gun and there are enough senators for filibustering.

Obama is quite pragmatic. I seriously doubt messing with gun rights is the first thing on his mind. And even if it was, criminals and mentally ill people would have more to worry about than responsible gun owners. More background checks and giving the police better tracing abilities perhaps, but there is no way AWB would pass.

He is not anti second ammendment either.

[Yog]

Post election standings so far

Electoral vote count: 364 Obama, 173 McCain

President: Barack Obama
Vice President: Joe Biden
Chief of Staff: Rahm Emanuel
Press Secretary: Robert Gibbs
Senior Advisor: David Axelrod

Senate: 55 Dems 40 Repubs 2 Indep 3 Undecided

House: Dem 254 Rep 173 Undecided 8


Behind the scenes election night photos:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/barackobamadotcom/


Obama Positioned to Quickly Reverse Bush Actions (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/08/AR2008110801856_pf.html)

Transition advisers to President-elect Barack Obama have compiled a list of about 200 Bush administration actions and executive orders that could be swiftly undone to reverse White House policies on climate change, stem cell research, reproductive rights and other issues, according to congressional Democrats, campaign aides and experts working with the transition team.

[Jedieb]

For the love of Yoda, Obama is not taking people's guns away. But I do think that at some point he will try to address some issues of gun control. It's not about taking people's guns away, but it is about finding ways to enforce laws that help to keep weapons away from criminals. Obama has a history, like Charley noted of his time at Harvard, of finding common ground. I hope that at some point he can get people on both sides of the 2nd Amendment divide to work together to improve gun control legislation. I hope he can get both sides of the abortion issue together to help REDUCE the number of abortions by reducing unwanted pregnancies and making adoptions easier.

One thing is for certain IMO, grown ups are coming back to government. The last 8 years have been a train wreck at times. I'm tired of the 'permanent campaign.' Tough times are ahead and we desperately need the executive branch to follow a different mode of operation.

Immigration Reform
Republicans better wake up and smell the espresso. The position that McCain took on Immigration is the one that they'll eventually have to embrace. McCain and Kennedy's legislation set off many House Republicans. They stirred ugly parts of that Republican base. Make no mistake, it wasn't very Hispanic friendly. McCain backed off. In a few decades Hispanics are poised to become a MAJORITY in this country. The Republican party is DOOMED if it doesn't address this growing constituency.

[Byl Laprovik]

One thing I've long-advocated for on gun safety issues is a tax incentive education package. I don't think mandatory firearm education in the same vein as driver's ed and/or sex ed is a smart idea simply because the numbers of people with guns aren't as big as the other two. What would work, however, is to set up continuing education that would enable a credit against sales tax on firearm purchases or something.

There are already programs for concealed carry certification just about everywhere, and a lot of those include some degree of firearm safety. I think it wouldn't be tricky to get people into an audience for that sort of thing.

[Jedi Master Carr]

For the love of Yoda, Obama is not taking people's guns away. But I do think that at some point he will try to address some issues of gun control. It's not about taking people's guns away, but it is about finding ways to enforce laws that help to keep weapons away from criminals. Obama has a history, like Charley noted of his time at Harvard, of finding common ground. I hope that at some point he can get people on both sides of the 2nd Amendment divide to work together to improve gun control legislation. I hope he can get both sides of the abortion issue together to help REDUCE the number of abortions by reducing unwanted pregnancies and making adoptions easier.

One thing is for certain IMO, grown ups are coming back to government. The last 8 years have been a train wreck at times. I'm tired of the 'permanent campaign.' Tough times are ahead and we desperately need the executive branch to follow a different mode of operation.

Immigration Reform
Republicans better wake up and smell the espresso. The position that McCain took on Immigration is the one that they'll eventually have to embrace. McCain and Kennedy's legislation set off many House Republicans. They stirred ugly parts of that Republican base. Make no mistake, it wasn't very Hispanic friendly. McCain backed off. In a few decades Hispanics are poised to become a MAJORITY in this country. The Republican party is DOOMED if it doesn't address this growing constituency.

I agree completely, I would like to see some better background checks that keep guns away from the mentally ill and criminals but those people shouldn't have weapons anyway. Sure I don't like Assault weapons but I just give up on that issue. As long as they don't pass laws trying to force me to buy a gun I guess I will just have to live with most of it.

[Yog]

50 facts you might not know about Obama (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/uselection2008/barackobama/3401168/Barack-Obama-The-50-facts-you-might-not-know.html)



• He collects Spider-Man and Conan the Barbarian comics
• He was known as "O'Bomber" at high school for his skill at basketball
• His name means "one who is blessed" in Swahili
• His favourite meal is wife Michelle's shrimp linguini
• He won a Grammy in 2006 for the audio version of his memoir, Dreams From My Father
• He is left-handed – the sixth post-war president to be left-handed
• He has read every Harry Potter book
• He owns a set of red boxing gloves autographed by Muhammad Ali
• He worked in a Baskin-Robbins ice cream shop as a teenager and now can't stand ice cream
• His favourite snacks are chocolate-peanut protein bars
• He ate dog meat, snake meat, and roasted grasshopper while living in Indonesia
• He can speak Spanish
• While on the campaign trail he refused to watch CNN and had sports channels on instead
• His favourite drink is black forest berry iced tea
• He promised Michelle he would quit smoking before running for president – he didn't
• He kept a pet ape called Tata while in Indonesia
• He can bench press an impressive 200lbs
• He was known as Barry until university when he asked to be addressed by his full name
• His favourite book is Moby-Dick by Herman Melville
• He visited Wokingham, Berks, in 1996 for the stag party of his half-sister's fiancé, but left when a stripper arrived
• His desk in his Senate office once belonged to Robert Kennedy
• He and Michelle made $4.2 million (£2.7 million) last year, with much coming from sales of his books
• His favourite films are Casablanca and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
• He carries a tiny Madonna and child statue and a bracelet belonging to a soldier in Iraq for good luck
• He applied to appear in a black pin-up calendar while at Harvard but was rejected by the all-female committee.
• His favourite music includes Miles Davis, Bob Dylan, Bach and The Fugees
• He took Michelle to see the Spike Lee film Do The Right Thing on their first date
• He enjoys playing Scrabble and poker
• He doesn't drink coffee and rarely drinks alcohol
• He would have liked to have been an architect if he were not a politician
• As a teenager he took drugs including marijuana and cocaine
• His daughters' ambitions are to go to Yale before becoming an actress (Malia, 10) and to sing and dance (Sasha, 7)
• He hates the youth trend for trousers which sag beneath the backside
• He repaid his student loan only four years ago after signing his book deal
• His house in Chicago has four fire places
• Daughter Malia's godmother is Jesse Jackson's daughter Santita
• He says his worst habit is constantly checking his BlackBerry
• He uses an Apple Mac laptop
• He drives a Ford Escape Hybrid, having ditched his gas-guzzling Chrysler 300 SUV
• He wears $1,500 (£952) Hart Schaffner Marx suits
• He owns four identical pairs of black size 11 shoes
• He has his hair cut once a week by his Chicago barber, Zariff, who charges $21 (£13)
• His favourite fictional television programmes are Mash and The Wire
• He was given the code name "Renegade" by his Secret Service handlers
• He was nicknamed "Bear" by his late grandmother
• He plans to install a basketball court in the White House grounds
• His favourite artist is Pablo Picasso
• His speciality as a cook is chilli
• He has said many of his friends in Indonesia were "street urchins"
• He keeps on his desk a carving of a wooden hand holding an egg, a Kenyan symbol of the fragility of life
• His late father was a senior economist for the Kenyan government

Your next President is full of surprises.. :)

[Byl Laprovik]

• His favourite meal is wife Michelle's shrimp linguini

That's not what I heard on NPR Kitchen window. I heard it was skirt steak tacos with guac and tomatillo. Is he lying to his wife, or lying to America?

• His favourite snacks are chocolate-peanut protein bars

That's dag-nasty he should be ashamed.

• While on the campaign trail he refused to watch CNN and had sports channels on instead

Good man

• His favourite drink is black forest berry iced tea

Disgusting

• He promised Michelle he would quit smoking before running for president – he didn't

Can't be trusted

• He can bench press an impressive 200lbs

200 is impressive?

• His favourite book is Moby-Dick by Herman Melville

Our supposed transformative party-uniting president's favorite book is the ultimate revenge epic of all time? That's a little weird.

• He visited Wokingham, Berks, in 1996 for the stag party of his half-sister's fiancé, but left when a stripper arrived

*with the stripper

** to the champagne room

• His favourite music includes Miles Davis, Bob Dylan, Bach and The Fugees

So the only music capable of being tolerated by human ears is Miles Davis.

• He doesn't drink coffee and rarely drinks alcohol

I just can't trust a man who doesn't drink.

• His favourite fictional television programmes are Mash and The Wire

Good taste

• His speciality as a cook is chilli

I don't think he's shown much in the way of culinary taste, so I would be wary of this "chilli"

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

Ha, I like how the pot and cocaine bit is thrown right in the middle of that :lol

Reminds me of one of those 'one of these things is not like the other' pictures.

[Park Kraken]

He collects Spider-Man and Conan the Barbarian comics

He has read every Harry Potter book

He worked in a Baskin-Robbins ice cream shop as a teenager and now can't stand ice cream


Some of my favorites.



His favourite snacks are chocolate-peanut protein bars

He enjoys playing Scrabble and poker

He doesn't drink coffee and rarely drinks alcohol

He hates the youth trend for trousers which sag beneath the backside


He's exactly like me in those four regards. (with the exception that the chocolate-peanut bars were fiber bars instead of protein bars, which I didn't know at first but would've explained my frequent trips to the bathroom during that time period).




He promised Michelle he would quit smoking before running for president – he didn't



Good, he needs stress releasel for that job, espically since he doesn't drink coffee. Maybe Bush would've been a better president if he smoked (or a better one if he didn't, if he actually did smoke).

[Figrin D'an]

Good, he needs stress releasel for that job, espically since he doesn't drink coffee. Maybe Bush would've been a better president if he smoked (or a better one if he didn't, if he actually did smoke).


Except the stress relief achieved from smoking cigarettes is largely an illusion. He'd be far better off getting on a smoking cessation drug like Chantix and getting massage therapy on a regular basis.

(At least this is what my girlfriend says. I tend to believe her since she has "M.D." following her name.)

[Cat X]

I noticed Obama made a point late in the campaign in being critical of Fox News. Deservedly so, anyone who thinks Fox is worth watching needs an intelligence upgrade.

So then we have this reported....

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/11/08/fox-news-cut-out-of-quest_n_142404.html

The man has even more of my respect now.

[Wei Wu Wei]

I noticed Obama made a point late in the campaign in being critical of Fox News. Deservedly so, anyone who thinks Fox is worth watching needs an intelligence upgrade.

So then we have this reported....

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/11/08/fox-news-cut-out-of-quest_n_142404.html

The man has even more of my respect now.


As much as I think it's cool that Obama can draw the line about crappy media, isn't there a chance that opponents will try to use this as a means to make him look bad?

Obama not picking FOX could be construed as government censorship of the media, and spark all kinds of "Obama restricts free speech and tramples the rights of its citizens" kind of thing.

Not that getting into the minds of his opponents is a hard thing, but I can see a lot of people buying into that kind of argument.

[Jedi Master Carr]

I don't read much into that, I mean he has a limited amount of time to ask questions. I mean he missed the NY Times too and some other press people so he couldn't have asked everybody's question.

[Jaime Tomahawk]

As much as I think it's cool that Obama can draw the line about crappy media, isn't there a chance that opponents will try to use this as a means to make him look bad?

Obama not picking FOX could be construed as government censorship of the media, and spark all kinds of "Obama restricts free speech and tramples the rights of its citizens" kind of thing.

Not that getting into the minds of his opponents is a hard thing, but I can see a lot of people buying into that kind of argument.

Who's going to make him look bad? The station that basically tried the whole MUSLIM TERROR SOCIALIST COMMIE BLACK SCARY PERSON!!!!! and let on complete retards like Michelle Bachmann to say her stupid dribble, the station that allows Sean Hannity to vomit hate and rot, the station that actualy for real put up Osama / Obama = Coincidence?

No what actually happens is that if a news organisation loses influence and gets shut out of access to an administration, they become irrelevant. And this is the worst thing that can happen to that news organisation. They lose power over politicians, they lose access to little quiet interviews and lunches, the lose the ability to get scoops.... Basically yes they can try to get back at the ones that cut their oxygen off - and remember, the access to an adminitration IS their oxygen - but they still need to breathe and they will eventually have to suck it in and change the antics.

If they continue their ways, they then end up losing ratings and political power. Two things Murdoch lives and dies by.

No, I suggest Fox has got the problem, not the Obama administration.

[Wei Wu Wei]

I'm not accusing Obama of anything.

I was just curious to know what arguments--if any--Obama's opponents would make.

But I do think you're right. It's a good way to keep the media honest.

[Jaime Tomahawk]

Obama certainly is hittign the ground running. 200 of the worst executive orders of Bush going, GITMO being closed (anyone saying this is bad is UnAmerican and needs a good kick in the head), some good appointments and now he does this...

http://change.gov/newsroom/entry/obama_transition_announces_rules_for_lobbyists_in_ transition/

Banning lobbyists and their money from his transition.

What the hell, you mean this guy is actually intending on delivering something different and actually doing the right thing??????

[Jedi Master Carr]

This was in a newspaper near where I go to school, and I can't believe how racist it is
http://gawker.com/5081902/obama-meets-the-jeffersons-in-redneck-newspaper-column

And it is from a principal. That man should lose his job as a columnist for that garbage.

[Jaime Tomahawk]

After more than 2.5 million votes the Coleman v. Franken race is seperated by only 571 votes! Coleman has the lead but the incredibly narrow margin will automatically trigger a recount. Wow, that's just simply amazing.

It looks like Alaska is about to elect a convicted felon. WTF?
.

And in updates, the senates counts are still on in these two, with Stevens losing his lead in Alaska and very likely to be losing ground as absentees are counted.

Maybe some faith in Alaska will be gained afterall.

[Jedi Master Carr]

And most seem to think Franken might win his race that would give the Democrats 59 seats with the run off left, although I don't see Chambliss losing that.

[Atreyu]

Ted Stevens loses Alaska Senate race:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/stevens

[Jedi Master Carr]

Thank god, we didn't need a convicted felon in there. Looks like Obama is going to name Hillary Secretary of State. I think he is following Lincoln, picking his enemies to positions near him. It worked for Lincoln, so I think it is a great idea.

[Figrin D'an]

Looks like Obama is going to name Hillary Secretary of State. I think he is following Lincoln, picking his enemies to positions near him. It worked for Lincoln, so I think it is a great idea.


It's more a savvy political move than anything. He's trying to remove her as possible competition in 2012, and to silence her as a potential dissenting voice as a Senator.

She's under no obligation to take the job though. Will be interesting to see if she does indeed accept the offer.

[Jedi Master Carr]

Looks like Obama is going to name Hillary Secretary of State. I think he is following Lincoln, picking his enemies to positions near him. It worked for Lincoln, so I think it is a great idea.


It's more a savvy political move than anything. He's trying to remove her as possible competition in 2012, and to silence her as a potential dissenting voice as a Senator.

She's under no obligation to take the job though. Will be interesting to see if she does indeed accept the offer.

Well you could argue that was why Lincoln picked Seward as well. Seward was a thorn in his side worse than even Hillary is for Obama.

[Jedieb]

Norm Coleman's lead is down to 137 votes and it looks like they're about halfway through the recount. There's a very a chance that the final margin could actually be in the single digits! If Franken does pull this out I'd wager it'll be by less than 100 votes. The loser of this election will have a tough pill to swallow but it'll be harder for Coleman because he had the lead on election day.

EDIT: Both sides have challenged over 400 votes. You can see sample of some of them and vote on whether or not to accept or reject the ballot. Enjoy.
http://minnesota.publicradio.org/features/2008/11/19_challenged_ballots/

[Rutabaga]

I like the Hillary pick. And you know, I've been reading a lot about Doris Kearns Goodwin's Lincoln book, Team of Rivals. I think I'm going to have to pick it up and give it a read.

BTW, did everyone here see the interview with Sarah Palin while the turkey was being slaughtered behind her? I swear, if it wasn't real, you'd swear it was something from SNL or The Daily Show. :x

[Yog]

Your Weekly Address from the President-elect

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[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

BTW, did everyone here see the interview with Sarah Palin while the turkey was being slaughtered behind her? I swear, if it wasn't real, you'd swear it was something from SNL or The Daily Show. :x


Hahahaa I saw that :D

I was so engrossed in the killing procedure and that crazy cone of death that I couldn't even tell you what Palin was saying.

[Yog]

I couldn't even tell you what Palin was saying.

You did not miss much :lol

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-kjM1asH-8

[Jaime Tomahawk]

Your Weekly Address from the President-elect

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1) It's nice to see a US leader who's intelligent, articulate and ready to face challenges, unlike the idiot the Republicans worshipped for far too long

2) It's also nice to see at the least someone saying the right things instead of what like Bush said at APEC this morning. Still spruking the same failed polices with the same discredited words.


You did not miss much

I cant be bothered trying to mount the energy to listen to her.... was it at least entertaining?

[Loklorien s'Ilancy]

Well, the turkey in the background was.

The turkey in the foreground... not so much :)

[Jaime Tomahawk]

OMG.

I actually watched that with a good deal of trepidation and then mounting amazement just then - She was seriously doing an interview while turkeys were being slaughtered in the background????

I have no words that adequately describes that utterly bizarre, surreal scene

PROCLICK!

[Park Kraken]

O_o

I can't even think of a proper response to the Sarah Palin interview. The only thing that comes to mind is, A) That woman is totally not aware of her surroundings, or B) She just doesn't care.

And if it's B....

>_>

[Atreyu]

Just been reading some articles by Andrew Sullivan. Found them quite interesting:

Obama lures Hillary with a golden straitjacket
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/andrew_sullivan/article5212446.ece

Republicans need this identity crisis
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/andrew_sullivan/article5161207.ece

My favourite quote from the second link:

This is Rove’s real achievement: the durable majority he boasted of in 2004 has become a reality. But it’s the Democrats’ reality. And he made it happen.

Ouch. :twak

[Cat X]

I'm not sure what version of reality a writer needs to be in to actually think that Clinton has a hope in hell of a run in 2012. I suspect it's a Palin supporter version, which is exactly how stupid as it sounds. The writer has it right that a successful stint in the SoS role would put Clinton in the box seat for a 2016 run however. A resonably successful Obama presidency would pretty much give whomever comes next int he Democrat fold a big leg up for at least a 4 year term of their own.

Further, the Republicans dont need an identity crisis - they need a REALITY fact check. They need to to stop believing Fox is in any way a valid news source, to dismiss the Freepers as idiots and to pull their heads in to see the reality that the world is. Otherwise, the second article points out exactly what is wrong with the current conservative thinking. It's not wrong to be a conservative, but to have a fantasy view of what is possible is very wrong.

[Jedieb]

Here's what I expect is going to happen in the Minnesota Senate recount. The recount will end with Coleman in the lead. his lead will probably fall between 100-200 votes. But that's NOT the end of the election. Both sides have been challenging ballots like crazy. The question is, which side's challenges are more legit. For Coleman, the rational behind ballot challenges is simple. Every ballot you challenge gets deducted from your opponent's tally. Coleman wants to make sure he has a "significant" lead (in this case, a couple of hundred votes) before the canvassing board meets on Dec. 5th to render their verdict on the challenged ballots. That way, if Franken does eke out a win, Coleman can claim a partisan board "stole" the election from him.

Palin is an idiot. Really, is there anything else to say? I know where my Thanksgiving meal comes from. I know what has to be done. Hell, I've seen it done in person. That doesn't really bother me. But I don't expect a politician to blather on and on while the deed gets done on camera. What's next, a campaign commercial for 2012 while a cow gets slaughtered in the background? Dolt.