Top Items:
New York Times:
Obama's Effort on Ethics Bill Had Role in Governor's Fall — In a sequence of events that neatly captures the contradictions of Barack Obama's rise through Illinois politics, a phone call he made three months ago to urge passage of a state ethics bill indirectly contributed to the downfall …
Discussion:
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The Politico:
In scandal, risks for Obama — At first blush, Barack Obama comes out of the Rod Blagojevich scandal smelling like a rose. The prosecutor at a news conference seemed to give the president-elect a seal of approval, and the Illinois governor himself was caught on tape complaining that Obama was not interested in crooked schemes.
Discussion:
Washington Post, Cold Fury, The Caucus, New York Times, TPM Election Central, Comments from Left Field and Associated Press
Chicago Tribune:
Barack Obama plans to reach out to Muslim world — In exclusive interview, he says he plans to be sworn in like every other president, using his full name: Barack Hussein Obama — Barack Obama says his heart will remain in Chicago, even as he moves to Washington. (Alex Garcia / Tribune / December 9, 2008)
Discussion:
Townhall.com, Los Angeles Times, The Swamp, Soccer Dad, The Hill, TPM Election Central, TIME.com, Fausta's Blog, Riehl World View and JammieWearingFool
Andrew Malcolm / Top of the Ticket:
Text of Obama's first newspaper interview as president-elect — In his first post-election newspaper interview, President-elect Barack Obama doesn't spill all the beans about his intentions upon taking office on Jan. 20. — But he does reveal some interesting details.
Discussion:
The Politico, Ben Smith's Blogs, Marc Ambinder, The Campaign Spot, Political Punch and Real Clear Politics
Susan Saulny / New York Times:
Portrait of a Politician: Vengeful and Profane — CHICAGO — Little in Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich's background prepared the people of Illinois for the man who was revealed in the criminal complaint that dropped like a bombshell here on Tuesday. Delusional, narcissistic, vengeful and profane …
Discussion:
JustOneMinute, protein wisdom, Likelihood of Success, The Volokh Conspiracy, Slate and marbury
Stacy St. Clair / Chicago Tribune:
Governor's wife supported his pay-to-play Senate scheme, complaint alleges — Patricia Blagojevich uncharged but allegedly recorded urging Tribune firings — An unflattering portrait depicting Illinois First Lady Patricia Blagojevich as a modern-day Lady Macbeth who plotted …
Steve Benen / Washington Monthly:THE INEVITABLE PUSH.... It's only been 24 hours, and it's pretty obvious …
Liz Sidoti / Associated Press:Analysis: Scandal threatens to dog Obama
Discussion:
New York Post, Washington Post, Hot Air, The Politico, Jules Crittenden and Gateway Pundit
David Leonhardt / New York Times:
$73 an Hour: Adding It Up — Seventy-three dollars an hour. — That figure — repeated on television and in newspapers as the average pay of a Big Three autoworker — has become a big symbol in the fight over what should happen to Detroit. To critics, it is a neat encapsulation …
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Jesse McKinley / New York Times:
Gay Marriage Ban Inspires New Wave of Activists — SAN FRANCISCO — They're calling it Stonewall 2.0. — Outraged by California voters' ban on same-sex marriage, a new wave of advocates, shaken out of a generational apathy, have pushed to the forefront of the gay rights movement …
Discussion:
Bark Bark Woof Woof
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Dave Orrick / TwinCities.com:
FBI reviewing allegations involving Norm Coleman ally, source says — Source: Inquiry involves alleged attempt to steer money toward senator — Federal investigators are looking into allegations that a longtime friend and benefactor tried to steer money to U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman, the Pioneer Press has learned.
Discussion:
The Huffington Post, Think Progress, MinnPost, Majikthise, Minnesota Independent, Political Machine and AMERICAblog News
Joseph E. Stiglitz / Vanity Fair:
Capitalist Fools — Behind the debate over remaking U.S. financial policy will be a debate over who's to blame. It's crucial to get the history right, writes a Nobel-laureate economist, identifying five key mistakes—under Reagan, Clinton, and Bush II—and one national delusion.
Agence France Presse:
Obama plans major address in Islamic capital: interview — Featured Topics: - Barack Obama - Presidential Transition — WASHINGTON, (AFP) - President-elect Barack Obama plans to give “a major address” in an Islamic capital soon after taking office as he seeks to mend America's image in the Muslim world …
Josh Israel / The Center for Public Integrity:
OUR BROKEN GOVERNMENT — The 2008 presidential race produced its share of philosophical and political disputes, but one broad area of agreement underlined the campaigns of both nominees: The federal government is not functioning as it should. A McCain ad began, “Washington's broken.
Los Angeles Times:
Obama speaks out in his first newspaper interview — The president-elect discusses Gov. Blagojevich, the economy, Islam and civil rights, among other topics. … Have you ever spoken to [ Illinois] Gov. [ Rod R.] Blagojevich about the Senate seat? — I have not discussed the Senate seat with the governor at any time.
Washington Post:
Pakistan Detains Extremist Leader — U.S., India Question Effort's Seriousness — For the second time in a decade, suspected Pakistani terrorist leader Masood Azhar was placed under house arrest yesterday after being linked to attacks in India. His detention, announced by Pakistan's Defense Ministry …
Kenneth P. Vogel / The Politico:
Donilon Likely for NSC — No Bauer in the White House — Bob Bauer, who served as general counsel to — and legal attack dog for — the Obama campaign, won't be taking a job in the White House but will continue to be very active in the Obama political operation as its outside lawyer.
Discussion:
MSNBC
Daniel Engber / Slate:
Why Is Chicago So Corrupt? — And how do you measure corruption, anyway? … Former Illinois Gov. George Ryan received a sentence of six and a half years in prison on Wednesday, after being convicted on charges of racketeering, mail fraud, filing false tax returns, and lying to investigators.
Michael R. Crittenden / Wall Street Journal:
Watchdogs Chide Treasury on Bailout — WASHINGTON — U.S. Treasury Department assurances that the $700 billion financial rescue plan is helping to stabilize markets aren't enough for a program that has been implemented with few internal controls, a pair of government watchdogs said Wednesday.
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