Go to Transition of power

Transition of power

Barack Obama takes the oath of office for president on Jan. 20, 2009. The weeks leading up to that date provide some insight into how he will govern.
  • Gregg withdraws as commerce secretary nominee
    Republican Sen. Judd Gregg of New Hampshire abruptly withdrew his nomination as commerce secretary Thursday, citing "irresolvable conflicts" with President Barack Obama's handling of the economic stimulus and 2010 census.February 12, 2009
  • The meaning of Obama's inauguration
    The nation's first Black President is inaugurated this week, and MPR listeners and special guests discuss what it means.Midday, January 19, 2009
  • Obama cites founding fathers, heading for capital
    President-elect Barack Obama, tracing the train route Abraham Lincoln took nearly a century and a half earlier, undertook the final leg of his inaugural journey to the nation's capital Saturday, pledging to reclaim America's spirit but also warning of steep challenges facing the country.January 17, 2009
  • How past presidents partied
    In some countries, political change comes in the form of coups and bloodshed. In the Untied States, the transition of power is typically marked by dinner and dancing.January 16, 2009
  • AG nominee declares waterboarding to be torture
    Attorney General-nominee Eric Holder Jr. forcefully broke from the Bush administration's counterterrorism policies Thursday, declaring that waterboarding is torture and pledging to prosecute some Guantanamo Bay detainees in U.S. courts.January 15, 2009
  • Clinton vows smart mix of diplomacy, defense
    Hillary Rodham Clinton said Tuesday that she intends to revitalize the mission of diplomacy in American foreign policy, calling for a "smart power" strategy in the Middle East. She sailed smoothly through the morning session of her confirmation hearing to become Secretary of State.January 13, 2009
  • International relations expert on foreign policy challenges facing U.S.
    During the break in the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee confirmation hearing for Sen. Hillary Clinton for Secretary of State, a discussion of foreign policy challenges facing the United States of America.Midday, January 13, 2009
  • Franken to attend Obama inauguration
    Al Franken is traveling to Washington, D.C., later this month - but not for the reason you might think.January 10, 2009
  • Obama seeks new 'foundation' for economic growth
    President-elect Barack Obama today spelled out the key elements of an "American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan" that he is touting to treat a sick economy.January 8, 2009
  • Obama to outline his plans for economic recovery
    Live coverage of President-elect Barack Obama's address on the economy. Obama will be delivering the speech at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia.Midmorning, January 8, 2009
  • Obama, Congress weigh options on the economy
    Economists are torn about what kind of spending or tax cuts will have meaningful results for economic recovery. Two economists evaluate Obama's economic stimulus plan and weigh the concern for record deficit spending.Midmorning, January 7, 2009
  • Obama hails 'extraordinary gathering'
    President-elect Barack Obama hailed a rare Oval Office gathering of all U.S. presidents as an extraordinary event on Wednesday. The presidents and Obama were having lunch in a private dining room off the Oval Office, where no one else was expected to join them.January 7, 2009
  • Tax cuts in Obama's economic plan?
    President-elect Barack Obama is expected to reveal more of his ideas for helping the economy through the recession. Live coverage from NPR.Midmorning, January 6, 2009
  • Dem aide: Obama supports $300M tax cut plan
    President-elect Barack Obama, commencing face to face consultations with congressional leaders Monday, is embracing an unexpectedly large tax cut of up to $300 billion. Obama said the country faces an "extraordinary economic challenge."January 5, 2009
  • Richardson withdraws bid to be commerce secretary
    New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson on Sunday announced that he was withdrawing his nomination to be President-elect Barack Obama's commerce secretary amid a grand jury investigation into how some of his political donors won a lucrative state contract.January 4, 2009
Photo by AFP/Getty Images

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