Top Items:
Chicago Tribune:
Blagojevich fundraiser held by Jackson allies Saturday — As Gov. Rod Blagojevich was trying to pick Illinois' next U.S. senator, businessmen with ties to both the governor and U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. discussed raising at least $1 million for Blagojevich's campaign as a way to encourage …
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Eli Saslow / Washington Post:
Obama Worked to Distance Self From Blagojevich Early On — Like every other politician in Illinois, Gov. Rod Blagojevich waited for Barack Obama's call this summer. He told colleagues that he expected a speaking role at the 2008 Democratic National Convention, a nice bit of payback …
The Politico:
Obama damage control — He was elected president on a promise of “transparency” but barely five weeks later, Barack Obama is scrambling to meet his first big test on openness. — Obama's campaign lawyer Bob Bauer is taking a leading role in conducting what one top aide described as …
Carrie Budoff Brown / The Politico:
Rendell slams Obama over Blago — Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell today criticized Barack Obama for not being more upfront about the Illinois corruption scandal. — Now, he said, the story will continue to dominate the media's attention. — “They have never been in an executive position before …
CNN:
Illinois Democratic lawmakers begin impeachment effort for gov — CHICAGO, Illinois (CNN) — Key Illinois Democratic legislators are circulating a letter urging support for the impeachment of Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who was arrested this week on federal corruption charges relating in part …
Chicago Sun Times:
Obama chief of staff Rahm Emanuel ducks reporters' questions — President-elect Barack Obama's chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel, refused to take questions from reporters this morning about whether he was the Obama “advisor” named in the criminal complaint against Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
Associated Press:
$14B auto bailout dies in Senate — WASHINGTON - A bailout-weary Congress killed a $14 billion package to aid struggling U.S. automakers Thursday night after a partisan dispute over union wage cuts derailed a last-ditch effort to revive the emergency aid before year's end.
Discussion:
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Steve Benen / Washington Monthly:
‘THE PARTY OF HERBERT HOOVER’.... On Wednesday, Dick Cheney met with Senate Republicans and emphasized the importance of keeping the American automotive industry afloat. “If we don't do this, we will be known as the party of Herbert Hoover forever,” the vice president said.
Pan Pylas / Associated Press:
World markets plunge as US auto bailout fails — LONDON - World stock markets plunged Friday as the U.S. Senate's rejection of a $14 billion deal to rescue Detroit's ailing automakers stoked concerns that the recession in the world's largest economy will be even longer and deeper than projected.
Wall Street Journal:
Rescue Bid for Detroit Collapses in Senate — WASHINGTON — A frantic, last-ditch attempt to forge a relief package for the auto industry collapsed in the U.S. Senate, dealing a giant blow to the immediate hopes of the Big Three. — Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada suggested …
Manu Raju / The Politico:
Cheney: It's ‘Herbert Hoover’ time — Senate Republicans' dramatic revolt against a White House-backed auto industry rescue plan is fraught with political risk. — While the high-stakes gambit places them squarely within the mainstream of anti-bailout public sentiment …
Reuters:
Bernard Madoff arrested over alleged $50 billion fraud — NEW YORK (Reuters) - Bernard Madoff, a quiet force on Wall Street for decades, was arrested and charged on Thursday with allegedly running a $50 billion “Ponzi scheme” in what may rank among the biggest fraud cases ever.
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Bloomberg:
Madoff Charged in $50 Billion Fraud at Advisory Firm — A A A — Dec. 11 (Bloomberg) — Bernard Madoff, founder and president of a New York firm that invested funds for wealthy individuals, hedge funds and other institutions, was charged with operating what he told employees …
White House:
Statement by Press Secretary Dana Perino — It is disappointing that while appropriate and effective legislation to assist and restructure troubled automakers received majority support in both houses, Congress nevertheless failed to pass final legislation. The approach in that legislation provided …
Discussion:
The Foundry
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Mike Allen / The Politico:
Bush changes mind, may save auto giants — Facing the potential bankruptcy of iconic American firms, President Bush on Friday abandoned his longstanding objection to using using the Wall Street bailout fund to help save G.M. and Chrysler. — A frustrated Republican congressional official said …
Amanda Terkel / Think Progress:
Powell lashes out at Palin: I'm from the South Bronx, 'and there's nothing wrong with my value system.' — In an interview with CNN's Fareed Zakaria that will air this weekend, former Secretary of State Colin Powell sharply criticized the Republican party and its “value system,” taking particular aim at Gov. Sarah Palin (R-AK):
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Charles Krauthammer / Washington Post:
The Real Obama — Barack Obama has garnered praise from center to right — and has highly irritated the left — with the centrism of his major appointments. Because Obama's own beliefs remain largely opaque, his appointments have led to the conclusion that he intends to govern from the center.
New York Times:
What's Plan B? — Senate Republicans determined to block the $14 billion rescue package for Chrysler and General Motors have trotted out predictable rhetoric about the dangers of Big Government. Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the Republican leader, warned on Thursday that …
New York Times:
Auto Suppliers Share in the Anxiety — DETROIT — With Congress failing to agree on a bailout for Detroit, the odds that General Motors and Chrysler will be insolvent by year's end are growing rapidly. — The companies have been warning that they would run out of money for some time …