memeorandum: Beware School ‘Reformers’ (Alfie Kohn/The Nation)

1:25 PM ET, December 12, 2008

Top Items:

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 …

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 …

Discussion: Firedoglake, Washington Monthly, Los Angeles Times, Power Line, Taylor Marsh, Media Matters for America, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, TPMCafe, MSNBC, NewsBusters.org, TIME.com, Gawker, The Corner and Prairie Weather

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 …

Discussion: ABCNEWS, Chicago Sun Times, The Swamp, GINA COBB, NewsBusters.org, No More Mister Nice Blog and Washington Post

Ed Morrissey / Hot Air:

Contact: Emanuel spoke with Blago “on multiple occasions” about Senate seat — The attempt by President-elect Barack Obama to distance himself from the scandal erupting in Illinois took a big hit last night with this exclusive report from Chicago's Fox affiliate.

Discussion: The Moderate Voice, Riehl World View, RedState, Sister Toldjah, Stop The ACLU, The Strata-Sphere, QandO, Patterico's Pontifications and Marc Ambinder

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 …

Discussion: Ben Smith's Blogs, The Note, protein wisdom and Weekly Standard

Chicago Tribune:
Sam Zell's financial adviser at Tribune Co. was middleman sought by Blagojevich

Discussion: Michael Calderone's Blogs

Chicago Sun Times:
What's next for Jesse Jackson Jr.?

Discussion: TIME.com and Political Machine

Eugene Robinson / Washington Post:
A Playbook to Change — In handling questions about the arrest …

Discussion: Los Angeles Times, Wall Street Journal, Real Clear Politics, Associated Press, Commentary and The Note

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.

Discussion: Crooks and Liars, Los Angeles Times, MoJoBlog, The Hill's Blog Briefing Room, Bloomberg, Booman Tribune, The Washington Independent, Washington Post, Left in the West, Newshoggers.com, PoliBlog, Democracy in America and Shakesville

Pan Pylas / Associated Press:
World markets plunge as US auto bailout fails

Discussion: Hot Air and The Other McCain

David Rogers / The Politico:
Bailout failure shows leadership vacuum

Discussion: The Caucus and The Crypt's Blogs

Associated Press:
$14B auto bailout dies in Senate

Discussion: The Huffington Post, Newshoggers.com, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, The Mahablog, Hot Air, Right Wing News, The Campaign Spot, Robert Reich's Blog, Wake up America, LiberalOasis, Outside The Beltway, Washington Monthly, The Monkey Cage and Wonk Room

The Huffington Post:
Hale “Bonddad” Stewart: The Republicans Want A Depression

Discussion: Guardian, Fausta's Blog and nber.org

Associated Press:
Bailout dead, automakers in search of a lifeline

Discussion: Outside The Beltway and Associated Press

Chicago Breaking News:

Madigan to court: Declare Blagojevich unfit — Atty. Gen. Lisa Madigan filed a motion with the Illinois Supreme Court today aimed at removing Gov. Rod Blagojevich from office. — A spokesman for the state Supreme Court confirmed that Madigan filed the motion this morning.

Discussion: TIME.com and The Capitol Fax Blog

Christopher Wills / Associated Press:
Illinois AG asks high court to declare gov. unfit

Discussion: Hot Air, Associated Press, Political Machine, On Deadline and USA Today

CNN:
Illinois Democratic lawmakers begin impeachment effort for gov

Discussion: Washington Monthly and TPM Election Central

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: Associated Press, Michelle Malkin and Commentary

Mike Allen / The Politico:
Bush changes mind, may save auto giants

Discussion: The Swamp, Reason, Reuters and Pajamas Media

Andrew Grossman / The Foundry:
TARP: Now A Slush Fund for Detroit?

Discussion: Michelle Malkin and Patterico's Pontifications

Wall Street Journal:

Top Broker Accused of $50 Billion Fraud — Sons Turned In Madoff After He Allegedly Told Them His Investment-Advisory Business for the Wealthy Was ‘Giant Ponzi Scheme’ — Bernard L. Madoff, a former chairman of the Nasdaq Stock Market and a force in Wall Street trading for nearly 50 years …

Discussion: TPMMuckraker, Moonbattery, Bloomberg, naked capitalism, Boing Boing, Pajamas Media and The Swamp

Todd S. Purdum / New York Times:

Robin Toner, Times Reporter, Is Dead — Robin Toner, who was the first woman to be the national political correspondent of The New York Times and who had a significant hand in the coverage of five presidential elections, innumerable Congressional and gubernatorial campaigns …

Discussion: Michael Calderone's Blogs and Swampland

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):

Discussion: Pam's House Blend

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.

Discussion: Swampland and Betsy's Page

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 …

Discussion: Connecting.the.Dots, Don Surber and Prairie Weather

The Politico:

Obama's chief tech duties — For a long time, we've been saying that America's politicians couldn't tell the difference between a server and a waiter. Now, it looks like President-elect Barack Obama not only knows the difference, but he also understands how to harness the power of the former to improve the life of the latter.

Discussion: The Huffington Post

Josh Marshall / Talking Points Memo:

THOUGHTS ON THE BAILOUT FLAMEOUT — A few thoughts on this morning's news. — Not surprisingly, with this morning's news, we're getting more than a few emails arguing that the Democrats, in their new position of strength, should weaken or entirely do away with the filibuster — i.e. …

Discussion: Bob Cesca's Awesome Blog!