Top Items:
Greg Sargent / TPM Election Central:
Obama On Rick Warren Pick: We Have To Be Able To Agree To Disagree — Obama, at his presser today, defends the decision to choose Rick Warren to deliver the invocation as his inauguration with a restatement of his commitment to gay rights and, more broadly, to the principles of unity that have been a hallmark of his rise to power:
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Sarah Posner / The Nation:
What's the Matter With Rick Warren? — Now it has officially gone too far: Democrats, in their zeal to appear friendly to evangelical voters, have chosen celebrity preacher and best-selling author Rick Warren to deliver the invocation at Barack Obama's inauguration.
Discussion:
Christian Science Monitor, The Huffington Post, David Corn, CBS News, San Francisco Chronicle, Washington Monthly, Firedoglake, Macsmind, Majikthise, CBN.com, RHRealityCheck.org blogs, About.com US Liberal Politics, Brendan Calling, AlterNet.org, Democracy in America and Right Wing Watch
Satyam Khanna / Think Progress:
Warren insists he's not homophobic: I served ‘water and donuts’ to gay people.» — Pastor Rick Warren, President-elect Obama's choice to deliver the inaugurual invocation, has espoused far-right views on gay rights, including likening same-sex marriage to polygamy and incest.
CBN.com:
Pro-Lifers Rip Rick Warren on Obama Invocation — So let me get straight to the point. — Liberals and gay activists aren't happy with Barack Obama for choosing pro-life and prop 8 supporting pastor Rick Warren to give the invocation at Obama's inaugural.
John Aravosis / AMERICAblog News:
Feinstein reportedly had nothing to do with Warren choice; it was Obama.
Feinstein reportedly had nothing to do with Warren choice; it was Obama.
Thom Hartmann / The Huffington Post:
Three Cups of Tea for Rick Warren
Three Cups of Tea for Rick Warren
Discussion:
Bob Cesca's Awesome Blog!
Jesse J. Holland / Associated Press:
AP source: Rep. Hilda Solis is Obama's labor pick — WASHINGTON (AP) — A labor official says Rep. Hilda Solis of California will be nominated as labor secretary by President-elect Barack Obama. — The Democratic congresswoman was just elected to her fifth term representing heavily Hispanic portions …
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Harold Meyerson / American Prospect:
HILDA SOLIS IS GREAT. — What does Rep. Hilda Solis, Barack Obama's selection for secretary of labor, bring to the job? Only a record of passionate commitment to working people, a high level of political smarts, and some genuine displays of raw guts that could make her a star of American liberalism.
New York Times:
The Torture Report — Most Americans have long known that the horrors of Abu Ghraib were not the work of a few low-ranking sociopaths. All but President Bush's most unquestioning supporters recognized the chain of unprincipled decisions that led to the abuse, torture and death in prisons run …
Discussion:
Prairie Weather, Democrats.com, Open Left, Booman Tribune, The Daily Dish and theheretik.us
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ScienceInsider:
Sources: John Holdren to be Nominated as Obama's Science Adviser — Strong indications are that President-elect Barack Obama has picked physicist John Holdren to be the president's science adviser. — A top adviser to the Obama campaign and international expert on energy and climate …
Rod Watson / Buffalo News:
Kennedy is listening to wrong folks — Who says Camelot kid Caroline Kennedy isn't ready to be a big-time politician representing New York in the U. S. Senate? — She doesn't even have the job yet, and she's already acting like a seasoned insider. — In her first visit to Buffalo …
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New York Times:
Bush Weighs ‘Orderly’ Bankruptcy for Automakers — WASHINGTON — The White House said on Thursday that an “orderly” bankruptcy was one option being considered to try to rescue General Motors and Chrysler, which are seeking billions of dollars to avoid a shutdown.
New York Times:
Blagojevich Wants Campaign Funds to Pay Lawyer — SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich of Illinois plans to ask that he be permitted to use campaign funds to defend himself against federal corruption charges, a lawyer who represents the head of the embattled governor's campaign fund said Thursday.
Stephen Dinan / Washington Times:
Gay man backed for Navy secretary — Foes cite 'Don't ask, don't tell' — Some top retired military leaders and some Democrats in Congress are backing William White, chief operating officer of the Intrepid Museum Foundation, to be the next secretary of the Navy - a move that would put …
Discussion:
Washington Monthly, The Washington Independent, Outside The Beltway, MSNBC and Shakesville
Amir Mir / The News International:
Plot to kill Musharraf unearthed — LAHORE: In a sensational development, authorities have claimed busting a clandestine terror network set up by jailed killer of Daniel Pearl inside the Hyderabad Jail and the Sindh government has suspended senior police and jail officials after a large number …
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Domenico Montanaro / MSNBC:
First Read: Obama names intel czar — From NBC's Jim Miklaszewski — Sources involved in President-elect Obama's transition confirm that former Admiral Dennis Blair has been selected as the new Director of National Intelligence. — A 34-year Navy veteran, Blair was commander …
Discussion:
Hot Air
Lynn Sweet:
Emanuel's deeper involvement in pressing for Jarrett Senate appointment — My Sun-Times colleagues Natasha Korecki and Fran Spielman in a story in the Thusday paper report Rahm Emanuel's involvement in pushing Gov. Blagojevich to appoint Valerie Jarrett to replace President elect Barack Obama was deeper than previously known.
Discussion:
The Note, JammieWearingFool, The Campaign Spot, Sister Toldjah, The Capitol Fax Blog, Riehl World View and The Politico
Nate Silver / FiveThirtyEight.com:
Brett Favre Beats Lizard People — Yesterday, the Franken campaign challenged this ballot, claiming that “Brett Favre” was an identifying mark: — The Canvassing Board rejected the challenge and awarded the vote to Coleman. — Today, just moments ago, the infamous Lizard People ballot came up for the Canvassing Board's review!
Discussion:
Wonkette
MSNBC:
Todd NBC's chief White House correspondent — Will retain political director title in addition to new duties — NBC News political director Chuck Todd will add the White House beat and Meet the Press Contributing Editor responsibilities to his list of duties.
Associated Press:
Frigid Storm Closes California Freeways, Drops Snow in Malibu — LOS ANGELES — Snow snarled major mountain highways and even dusted Malibu on Wednesday as a cold storm hit parts of California. One person was killed by a wind-related helicopter crash, and an overflowing river …
Washington Wire:
Rahm Emanuel's Brother Joins White House Team — Jonathan Weisman reports on the transition. — A second Emanuel is heading for the White House. — Ezekiel J. Emanuel, a prominent bioethicist at the National Institutes of Health-and the brother of incoming White House Chief …
Christina Bellantoni / Washington Times:
MSNBC host Brzezinski mugged in D.C. — UPDATED: — Washington Mayor Adrian Fenty was confronted face-to-face Thursday with some of the district's crime problems, when it turned out the host of the morning talk show he appeared on had been mugged in the city an hour earlier.