On The Prowl For Stock Tips? Listen To Obama
(CBS)
Traveling up and down the Northeast Corridor recently reminded me of yet another stark contrast between New York City and Washington DC (where I have the privilege of residing).
At New York cocktail parties, you hear what people -- including campaign donors, hopeful Obama fans, mollified Clintonites, and well read know-it-alls -- hope the new Administration will do about the economy. At holiday parties here in DC, you find out what Obama & Co. will do.
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Obama Says WH Will Remain Smoke-Free
During his interview with NBC News' Tom Brokaw over the weekend, President-elect Barack Obama acknowledged that he has had some trouble kicking his smoking habit but promised that the White House would remain a smoke-free zone.
"There are times where I've fallen off the wagon," Mr. Obama said when asked if he had stopped smoking. "I've done a terrific job, under the circumstances, of making myself much healthier," he continued. "And I think that you will not see any violations of these rules in the White House," he said of the ban.
The Associated Press notes that Obama told Men's Health magazine in an interview before the election that he had smoked a couple of times on the campaign trail. "But I figure, seeing as I'm running for president, I need to cut myself a little slack," he told the magazine.
"There are times where I've fallen off the wagon," Mr. Obama said when asked if he had stopped smoking. "I've done a terrific job, under the circumstances, of making myself much healthier," he continued. "And I think that you will not see any violations of these rules in the White House," he said of the ban.
The Associated Press notes that Obama told Men's Health magazine in an interview before the election that he had smoked a couple of times on the campaign trail. "But I figure, seeing as I'm running for president, I need to cut myself a little slack," he told the magazine.
Romney PAC Helps His Cause
The clock is already ticking on the next presidential campaign and at least one potential candidate appears not to be wasting any time. Former Massachusetts Governor (and 2008 candidate) Mitt Romney is using his political action committee to assemble a team of consultants and staffers, the Boston Globe reports. Romney's Free and Strong America PAC, established to help other Republican candidates, has raised $2.1 million but has distributed just 12 percent of that to fellow GOPers, an analysis by the Globe found. From the Globe report:
According to the Globe analysis, he spent $244,000 on contributions to congressional and other candidates between April and the November elections. He has spent more than twice as much on staff salaries and contracts to hire professional fund-raisers, who are compiling contributor lists that will serve Romney well in a future presidential campaign.
In essence, Romney is financing a political enterprise that he can use to remain a national GOP leader and use as a springboard should he decide to launch another presidential bid for 2012.
Car Czars On The Way?
Democrats in Congress are working on a bill that would provide the troubled U.S. automotive industry at least $15 billion in emergency loans and give the federal government power to "manage a massive restructuring" of the Big Three auto manufacturers, the Washington Post reports. The legislation under consideration would create a seven-member "auto board" that would consist of cabinet members with a chairperson appointed by the president.
And there could be some changes at the top of the auto companies as part of the deal. Appearing on CBS News' "Face the Nation" yesterday morning, Senate Banking Committee Chairman Chris Dodd said new leadership of the car companies might be needed, particularly at General Motors where he said the company's chairman Rick Wagoner "has to move on." "I think you have got to consider new leadership," Dodd said on the program. "If you're going to really restructure this, you have got to bring in a new team to do this, in my view."
GM is reportedly in the most dire need of emergency aid and Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm told the "Early Show" that "if General Motors doesn't get this loan by the end of this month, it is 'game over.'"
And there could be some changes at the top of the auto companies as part of the deal. Appearing on CBS News' "Face the Nation" yesterday morning, Senate Banking Committee Chairman Chris Dodd said new leadership of the car companies might be needed, particularly at General Motors where he said the company's chairman Rick Wagoner "has to move on." "I think you have got to consider new leadership," Dodd said on the program. "If you're going to really restructure this, you have got to bring in a new team to do this, in my view."
GM is reportedly in the most dire need of emergency aid and Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm told the "Early Show" that "if General Motors doesn't get this loan by the end of this month, it is 'game over.'"
Don't Hang Up On The President-Elect
When a man sounding remarkably like President-elect Barack Obama called a Florida congresswoman Wednesday, she assumed it was a hoax.
So Republican Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen hung up. But, the Miami Herald reports, this was no prank.
"I thought it was one of the radio stations in South Florida playing an incredible, elaborate, terrific prank on me," Ros-Lehtinen told the newspaper. "They got Fidel Castro to go along. They've gotten Hugo Chavez and others to fall for their tricks. I said, 'Oh, no, I won't be punked.'"
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So Republican Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen hung up. But, the Miami Herald reports, this was no prank.
"I thought it was one of the radio stations in South Florida playing an incredible, elaborate, terrific prank on me," Ros-Lehtinen told the newspaper. "They got Fidel Castro to go along. They've gotten Hugo Chavez and others to fall for their tricks. I said, 'Oh, no, I won't be punked.'"
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Rush Is On To Retire Clinton Debt
(CBS/AP)
Leaving no stone unturned, Mrs. Clinton's Mother, Dorothy Rodham is appealing to Clinton's campaign contributors in an e-mail sent out today. The appeal offers a copy of a new children's book, "Hillary Clinton: Dreams Taking Flight," to donors who give $50 or more. For a contribution of $250 or more, donors will be given a personally signed copy. "I'm so proud of everything my daughter has accomplished and excited about what her future holds," Mrs. Rodham writes. "As you know, Hillary is still working hard to pay down the debt from her campaign, and I hope you'll take this opportunity to help her out. … I know you're just as proud as I am of everything my daughter has achieved, and I want to thank you for everything you've done to support her!"
Obama Responds To Jobs Report
President-elect Barack Obama warned that economic times may get worse before they get better in a statement issued today. Obama was responding to the latest government report showing that the economy lost 533,000 jobs in the month of November, the largest jump in 34 years. Here's the full statement from the president-elect:
The 533,000 jobs lost last month, the worst job loss in 34 years, is more than a dramatic reflection of the growing economic crisis we face. Each of those lost jobs represents a personal crisis for a family somewhere in America. Our economy has already lost nearly 2 million jobs during this recession, which is why we need an Economic Recovery Plan that will save or create at least 2.5 million more jobs over two years while we act decisively to maintain the flows of credit on which so many American families and American businesses depend.
There are no quick or easy fixes to this crisis, which has been many years in the making, and it's likely to get worse before it gets better. But now is the time to respond with urgent resolve to put people back to work and get our economy moving again. At the same time, this painful crisis also provides us with an opportunity to transform our economy to improve the lives of ordinary people by rebuilding roads and modernizing schools for our children, investing in clean energy solutions to break our dependence on imported oil, and making an early down payment on the long-term reforms that will grow and strengthen our economy for all Americans for years to come.
Daschle To Reemphasize Health Care Commitment
Former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, expected to be named as Secretary of Health and Human Services by President-elect Barack Obama, will reiterate the incoming administration's commitment to revamping the nation's health care system despite the economic recession.
In a speech in Denver today, previewed by the Wall Street Journal, Daschle will say, "the president-elect made health-care reform one of his top priorities of his campaign, and I am here to tell you that his commitment to changing the health-care system remains strong and focused." As Mr. Obama has done in the past, Daschle will talk about health care reform in the context of overall economic recovery although he is not expected to talk about any timetables for movement on the issue.
Daschle will also urge Americans to hold holiday get-togethers to discuss ideas for reforming the health care system and will volunteer to drop by one himself, according to the journal. If nominated and confirmed for HHS Secretary, Daschle will be the point person for the administration on the issue. Read more here.
In a speech in Denver today, previewed by the Wall Street Journal, Daschle will say, "the president-elect made health-care reform one of his top priorities of his campaign, and I am here to tell you that his commitment to changing the health-care system remains strong and focused." As Mr. Obama has done in the past, Daschle will talk about health care reform in the context of overall economic recovery although he is not expected to talk about any timetables for movement on the issue.
Daschle will also urge Americans to hold holiday get-togethers to discuss ideas for reforming the health care system and will volunteer to drop by one himself, according to the journal. If nominated and confirmed for HHS Secretary, Daschle will be the point person for the administration on the issue. Read more here.
Driving Mr. Auto Maker
This was written by Dan Farber of CNET News.
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Kaine Says No Thanks To Cabinet Spot
In his monthly call-in radio show, Virginia Governor Tim Kaine said he's not interested in a possible appointment to become Secretary of Education, the AP reports. Kaine, an early and highly visible supporter of President-elect Barack Obama's during the campaign, has been among those mentioned for the post since the election.
Kaine was a serious contender to join Obama on the Democratic ticket and said he would have accepted that invitation because he "would have viewed it like a draft notice." But he said he now intends to serve out his term as governor, which ends in 2010. It would make sense for Kaine to be rewarded. After all, Obama became the first Democrat to win Virginia since Lyndon Johnson did it in 1964. Governors in the state are limited to serving a single term and Kaine did indicate that he would be open to a presidential appointment when his is over.
Kaine was a serious contender to join Obama on the Democratic ticket and said he would have accepted that invitation because he "would have viewed it like a draft notice." But he said he now intends to serve out his term as governor, which ends in 2010. It would make sense for Kaine to be rewarded. After all, Obama became the first Democrat to win Virginia since Lyndon Johnson did it in 1964. Governors in the state are limited to serving a single term and Kaine did indicate that he would be open to a presidential appointment when his is over.
