Presidential transition/Inauguration 2009 and beyond/CLOSED

[killersmom]

Please continue with your discussions of the transitional period of President elect Obama, as well as other political topics of interest pertaining to this transitional period and leading up to the inauguration on January 20, 2009.

Since these discussions and the problems all of us face during this difficult time will not end with the inauguration. This thread will continue to stay open as we discuss the issues and problems of the day.

[jack]

does obama know ANY liberals he trusts in the halls of power   

[brokebacktom]

Put an asterisk by Siegelman's name. 

He was released from prison earlier this year and is appealing his conviction based on alleged misconduct by the Alabama AG and a couple of US Attorneys.

Also, Karl Rove has ignored a subpoena to testify at a House Judiciary Committee hearing on the case (John Conyers, committee chairman is reported to have been upset, almost to the point of reaction).


Quote above was from JD, which I must reply. John Conyers is a wimp. He could put Karl Rove in jail for contempt of Congress. So, the problem does not lie with Karl but with John, who doesn't have the balls to do any thing. Same as usual in my book. The Dems coward to the GOP. When will this end?

[brokebacktom]

Norm Coleman is being investaged by the FBI. I told you. He could lose his Senate seat by this investigation. The thing is Coleman is still leading in the recount. Now the state has to recount the disputed ballots, which is over 5,000 votes. WE will also will know if the State Supreme Court will allow those 20,000 absentee ballots thrown out, do to people filling them out inaccurately. So, the story goes...


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/12/10/fbi-investigating-coleman_n_149840.html

[WhenPigsFly]

Quote above was from JD, which I must reply. John Conyers is a wimp. He could put Karl Rove in jail for contempt of Congress. So, the problem does not lie with Karl but with John, who doesn't have the balls to do any thing. Same as usual in my book. The Dems coward to the GOP. When will this end?

Tom,  as you know, Conyers was a mega disappointment long before Rove gave him the finger. Pre 2006 he blustered mightily about impeaching Bush.  Then he gets the chairmanship and (needing very little nudging from Pelosi) promptly goes deaf and dumb on the subject, even has police arrest people who come to his office to protest his inaction. 

[WhenPigsFly]

does obama know ANY liberals he trusts in the halls of power   

Why would he need to?  He certainly doesn't appear to be wanting their input on much of anything.

[WhenPigsFly]

So... Jesse Jackson, Jr., is the mysterious "Senator #5" who offered Blagojevich $1million for Obama's senate seat?  I'll leave comments about apples falling from trees to others. 

Where, oh! where, was Jesse Jr. going to put his hands on a mil? 

Reporters bored with bailouts have to be salivating with the number of rabbit trails Blagojevich has provided them.

Guess it goes without saying that this going to overshadow the Inauguration. 

And don't you imagine this improves the chances that the new senator from IL is going to have a (R) after his/her name?

[brokebacktom]

Watch this video. Its great. Stewart and Huckabee discuss gay-marriage.


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/12/10/jon-stewart-mike-huckabee_n_149906.html

[Rosewood]

So... Jesse Jackson, Jr., is the mysterious "Senator #5" who offered Blagojevich $1million for Obama's senate seat?  I'll leave comments about apples falling from trees to others. 


...Guess it goes without saying that this going to overshadow the Inauguration....

Only if we let it.

[Rosewood]

On the Huffington Post there's a headline about
Blagojevich's Magnificent Downfall that I take exception to.

I always thought a 'magnificent downfall' could only happen to
a magnificent personality. Blago was and is nothing more than
a second-rate thug with a horrible haircut. Nothing magnificent
about him at all.

This is the slimy downfall of a slimy character.

[brokebacktom]

How to improve MEET THE PRESS. Get rid of David Gregory to start with. One Sunday morning show I'll be missing. He is so into himself. I guess I'll be watching PBS.


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/12/10/david-gregory-islateis-ja_n_149943.html

[garyd]

How to improve MEET THE PRESS. Get rid of David Gregory to start with.

Jeez, I am beginning to think that you guys would bitch if you were hanged with a new rope. 

I mean, what in the world is wrong with David Gregory?
The conservatives don't necessarily like him.  Tony Snow would sometimes refuse to answer his questions at White House briefings, because Snow felt the questions were framed in a "partisan" manner.
Now it appears as though the liberals don't like him either.

Sounds like a great choice to me just based upon the fact that NOBDODY is pleased.

I have watched him several times on C-Span coverage of White House briefings and I find his questions to be cogent and incisive.  If he brings this skill and style to 'MTP", he could be quite effective.

I would also prefer that the Sunday shows not get into investigative reporting.  It would not be the end of the world, I suppose, but I enjoy the shows especially in conjunction with  reading the editorial pages of the WSJ, NYT, and others. 
The televised programs give me a "flavor" of the different opinions on issues of the day and then I can investigate further via newspapers, the internet, and sometimes books, those topics I find of interest.
Based upon what I have seen of Mr. Gregory's work as White House correspondent, I think he has the potential to be an excellent host, interviewer and panel discussion leader.

I am not sure Tim Russert was all that skilled at interviewing.  What he DID posses was a love for, and deep understanding of, the gamesmanship of politics.  He was unique in this respect and this  uniqueness brought, at times, a fascinating dimension to his work.  At other times, in my opinion, it was just plain annoying.

[AHappyMan]

How to improve MEET THE PRESS. Get rid of David Gregory to start with. One Sunday morning show I'll be missing. He is so into himself. I guess I'll be watching PBS.


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/12/10/david-gregory-islateis-ja_n_149943.html

My absolute favorite feature on huffpo- the Sunday Morning Soundoff:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/12/07/tv-soundoff-sunday-talkin_n_149038.html

[ChrisW]

My absolute favorite feature on huffpo- the Sunday Morning Soundoff:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/12/07/tv-soundoff-sunday-talkin_n_149038.html

Excellent link, thanks! - and looking forward to many more insights into the state of the US from you guys.

[brokebacktom]

How to improve MEET THE PRESS. Get rid of David Gregory to start with.

Jeez, I am beginning to think that you guys would bitch if you were hanged with a new rope. 

I mean, what in the world is wrong with David Gregory?

He is biased, arrogant and dull. I think of a wooden stick when I think of him.