TPMDC Morning Roundup
Today: Obama's First Full Day In Office
President Obama has a full day ahead of him on both the foreign and domestic policy fronts. He'll be meeting today with Sec. of Defense Robert Gates and multiple high-ranking military officials to discuss his dual goals of withdrawing from Iraq and increasing the U.S. commitment in Afghanistan, and will have another meeting with his economic team to discuss his stimulus package.
Hillary's Confirmation At State Expected Today
The Senate is expected to vote today to confirm Hillary Clinton's nomination to be Secretary of State. The nomination was held up yesterday by Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), who objected to a unanimous approval and instead secured an open debate and a recorded vote for today.
More Litigation In Minnesota Today
The three-judge panel appointed to hear Norm Coleman's lawsuit against the Minnesota election result is meeting at 3:30 p.m. ET to hear arguments in Al Franken's motion to dismiss the case. A full dismissal seems unlikely, but it is quite possible that the court could dismiss some of Coleman's individual claims, and then proceed to trial on the pared-down suit.
Geithner Confirmation Starts Today
Timothy Geithner's confirmation hearing to be Secretary of the Treasury begins today. The Senate Finance Committee appears to be pulled in two directions -- Geithner's reputation for competence and the need to install an economic team quickly, versus the embarrassment of Geithner's own personal tax problems -- but he is still expected to be confirmed with some Republican support.
Obama Seeks Pause In Gitmo Trials
President Obama has already ordered prosecutors at Guantanamo Bay to request a 120-day freeze in the military trials, as the new administration reviews and likely changes the policies involved. Said one of the defense attorneys: "We welcome our new commander-in-chief and this first step towards restoring the rule of law."
Paterson: I Still Haven't Decided On Senate Pick
In an interview with CBS News yesterday evening, Gov. David Paterson (D-NY) said he still hasn't decided who he will appoint to Hillary Clinton's Senate seat, but that it will happen in the next few days. Paterson said he was picking from among "10 or 11" candidates, all of whom he found to be impressive as individuals.
Obama On The Oath: "We've Got A Lot Of Stuff On Our Minds"
In an interview with ABC News, President Obama sought peace and reconciliation on the issue of the awkward rendering of the oath of office yesterday by Chief Justice Roberts and himself. "Well, listen, I think we were up there, we've got a lot of stuff on our minds and he actually, I think, helped me out on a couple of stanzas there," said Obama. "Overall, I think it went relatively smoothly and I'm very grateful to him."
Josh
Elana
Matt
Eric
The REAL Story on the Oath: Supreme Court Fails in Attempt to Reverse Another Election
http://satiricalpolitical.com/?p=5682
January 21, 2009 9:14 AM | Reply | Permalink
What is Paterson waiting for? He could have announced the decision weeks ago. At this point he can't seriously think there's a chance that Clinton will keep the seat.
January 21, 2009 9:21 AM | Reply | Permalink
She has not yet resigned it. Therefore, there is no vacancy.
The guy's probably enjoying the attention anyway. Relax, it'll be over soon.
January 21, 2009 9:34 AM | Reply | Permalink
He's getting enough attention by helping the Republicans screw up the budget. I realize there is no vacancy. But he could announce who he would appoint if, hypothetically, Clinton were to resign. Either he is stunningly indecisive, or he's picked someone he knows everyone will hate, or he's doing it because he can.
January 21, 2009 10:00 AM | Reply | Permalink
it is perfectly appropriate (if not preferrable) to hold off on announcing his replacement for clinton until after clinton actually resigns the seat. your imaptience ought not be a factor in patterson's timing.
January 21, 2009 1:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
I don't think I said that he should take my impatience into account. I am saying that he has had enough time to decide, that there is no reason to keep withholding this information from the public or the media, and that he should quit screwing around and announce the replacement.
January 21, 2009 2:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
Obama is the President. He didn't seek a pause ... he ordered it. Please. I know I know ... he's a black president. I suspect he won't be "seeking" anymore than a white president would.
January 21, 2009 9:39 AM | Reply | Permalink
Scratch that. I should read the article first. I was grossly misinformed.
January 21, 2009 9:50 AM | Reply | Permalink
Can't read the word "misinformed" lately without recalling Bogie in Casablanca:
Renault: What in heaven's name brought you to Casablanca?
Rick: My health. I came for the waters.
Renault: The waters? What waters? We're in the desert.
Rick: I was misinformed.
* * *
Makes me laugh so much! Have a good day!
January 21, 2009 9:56 AM | Reply | Permalink
I think it would be more accurate to say that he ordered military prosecutors to ask the military judges for a delay. Regardless of how you feel about these trials, for a president, black or otherwise, to order judges to do this or that would be problematic, to say the least.
January 21, 2009 9:55 AM | Reply | Permalink
Patterson is making a helluva mess out of his appointment decision. The longer he keeps everybody waiting the more entrenched and bitter the sides will be of the folks he doesn't choose. He's making drama when the design should be to keep the drama to the minimum. This could all effect him politically as well, because he's likely costing himself support on one of the factions for his re-election campaign.
January 21, 2009 10:39 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah, as a NYer I'm puzzled by the delay in naming the successor, even provisionally. And I think you're right that he isn't doing himself any good by being overly deliberative, to put the best possible spin on it.
January 21, 2009 10:42 AM | Reply | Permalink
The Its All Politics duo on NPR said that Andrew Cuomo is personally unlikable. I don't know anything about him other than who his father is.
Any opinions/anecdotes?
January 21, 2009 11:05 AM | Reply | Permalink
From what I've heard, Cuomo is one of those guys who is always out to serve himself first. And he was in Clinton's cabinet & apparently did not cover himself with glory.
January 21, 2009 11:29 AM | Reply | Permalink
He made a dismissive racial comment about Obama
"You can't shuck and jive at a press conference. All those moves you can make with the press don't work when you're in someone's living room."
Andrew is an italian-american from NY. Don't think he's the best choice.
January 21, 2009 12:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
"Well, listen, I think we were up there, we've got a lot of stuff on our minds and he actually, I think, helped me out on a couple of stanzas there," said Obama. "Overall, I think it went relatively smoothly and I'm very grateful to him."
Have you seen that? A president who will take responsibility for his mistakes, and even other people's mistakes! Change tastes like strawberries!
January 21, 2009 11:22 AM | Reply | Permalink
I had supported Caroline Kennedy's appointment to the Senate, but as much as I hate to admit it, she has failed the constructive public interview process. It would the height of gutlessness for Paterson to pick her at this point.
January 21, 2009 11:51 AM | Reply | Permalink