Top Items:
The Politico:
Obama's five rules of scandal response — Tuesday's report from the transition, detailing contacts between members of Obama's inner circle and embattled Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich and concluding that “nothing at all inappropriate” was discussed, won't be the final word on the subject …
Discussion:
The Opinionator, Hot Air, Taegan Goddard's …, Associated Press, The Politico, Reuters and The Swamp
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Jonathan Weisman / Wall Street Journal:
Obama, Two Aides Questioned in Probe — Federal prosecutors investigating alleged corruption by Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich interviewed President-elect Barack Obama and two of his top advisers last week in connection with the case, according to a memo released Tuesday by the Obama transition team.
Natasha Korecki / Chicago Sun Times:
Emanuel wanted to keep his seat ‘warm’ — In addition to talking with Gov. Blagojevich about who would fill President-elect Barack Obama's Senate seat, Obama's newly minted chief of staff had something else on his mind: his own congressional seat. — Just after accepting the top post with Obama …
Discussion:
TPMMuckraker
Michael D. Shear / Washington Post:
Obama Report Finds Nothing Improper in Staff's Contact With Blagojevich
Obama Report Finds Nothing Improper in Staff's Contact With Blagojevich
Change.gov:
Transition Team Releases Review of Contacts
Transition Team Releases Review of Contacts
Discussion:
BBC, D-Day, Right Wing Nut House, The Politico, Associated Press, Viking Pundit, TIME.com, The Moderate Voice, Think Progress, The Other McCain, The Reaction, The Fix, Daily Kos, Weekly Standard, Sister Toldjah, The Washington Independent, Washington Post, Real Clear Politics and Los Angeles Times
Thomas L. Friedman / New York Times:
Time to Reboot America — I had a bad day last Friday, but it was an all-too-typical day for America. — It actually started well, on Kau Sai Chau, an island off Hong Kong, where I stood on a rocky hilltop overlooking the South China Sea and talked to my wife back in Maryland, static-free, using a friend's Chinese cellphone.
Discussion:
Weekly Standard, LewRockwell.com Blog, Democratic Strategist, Silicon Alley Insider, Commentary and The Agonist
Martin Feldstein / Wall Street Journal:
Defense Spending Would Be Great Stimulus — All three service branches are in need of upgrade and repair. — The Department of Defense is preparing budget cuts in response to the decline in national income. The DOD budgeteers and their counterparts in the White House Office of Management …
Discussion:
Commentary
New York Times:
Nearly the End of the Line for S.U.V.'s — JANESVILLE, Wis. — Even a federal bailout could not save three of the last remaining plants in the United States still making sport utility vehicles. — Reeling from its financial problems and a collapsing S.U.V. market, General Motors …
Michelle Roberts / Associated Press:
Texas report: Abuse widespread in polygamist sect — SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Nearly two-thirds of the families living at a polygamist group's ranch — targeted in a high-profile raid last spring — had children who were abused or neglected, Texas child welfare officials said in a report released Tuesday.
Discussion:
The Other McCain
Jeff Bater / Wall Street Journal:
Consumers Slash Spending — Jobless Claims Increase; Orders for Durable Goods Slide — WASHINGTON — Consumers slashed spending a fifth month in a row during November, and they boosted savings yet again to cushion themselves from the recession. — Separately, a key consumer price gauge fell …
Dave McKinney / Chicago Sun Times:
‘5-alarm fire’ — As it wraps up its case against gov, impeachment panel hears how he got 435 contributions of $25,000 or more — SPRINGFIELD — Awaiting direction from federal prosecutors, the House impeachment panel all but wrapped up its case against Gov. Blagojevich on Monday …
Discussion:
TIME.com
minnesota.publicradio.org:
No winner in Senate race until 2009 — Minnesotans will not know whether Democrat Al Franken or Republican Norm Coleman won the Senate race until next year. Election officials, along with the two campaigns, have agreed on a framework for adding wrongly-rejected absentee ballots to the recount.
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Andy McSmith / The Independent:
The Big Question: What's behind Christmas traditions - and just how traditional are they? — Why are we asking this now? — Tonight you will put up the stockings, Santa Claus will arrive on his sleigh drawn by reindeer to slide down your chimney in his trademark red suit with a sack over his shoulder …
Washington Post:
For Stimulus Plan, Obama Team Weighing ‘Green’ Jobs vs. Traditional Projects — Obama Weighs Them Vs. Traditional Projects — In one of the first internal struggles of the incoming Obama administration, environmentalists and smart-growth advocates are trying to shift the priorities …
Nicholas Confessore / New York Times:
Resistance to Kennedy Grows Among Democrats — ALBANY — Resistance is emerging among Democratic officials against Caroline Kennedy as she pursues Hillary Rodham Clinton's seat in the United States Senate, with Gov. David A. Paterson bristling over suggestions that her selection is inevitable …
Adam Nagourney / New York Times:
For Now, Obama Proves to Be Elusive Target for G.O.P. — WASHINGTON — It's not so easy being the loyal opposition these days. — Two months after Barack Obama's election, Republicans are struggling to figure out how — or even whether — to challenge or criticize him as he prepares to assume the presidency.
NY Daily News:
President Bush pardons Brooklyn home scammer — BY JOHN MARZULLI IN NEW YORK AND JAMES GORDON MEEK IN WASHINGTON — President Bush pardoned a Brooklyn real estate developer accused of scamming hundreds of poor, minority homebuyers - and whose father donated $28,500 to the Republican Party this year.