Polinaut: January 20, 2009 Archive

The Daily Digest: 1-20-09

Posted at 8:15 AM on January 20, 2009 by Tom Scheck
Filed under: Daily Digest

Later this morning, Barack Obama will be sworn in as the 44th President of the United States. Obama will be the first African American elected to the position.

Several Minnesotans are in Washington D.C. to see the inauguration.

On Monday, Obama honored Martin Luther King and called on Americans to serve.

One of his biggest challenges will be to fix the nation's struggling economy. Warren Buffet said the nation is in an economic "Pearl Harbor."

Last night, Obama praised his GOP rival, John McCain.

An Obama prayer speaker has links to a Hamas linked group.

Gov. Pawlenty says the GOP should give Obama space to carry out his agenda.

Jill Biden said her husband had his choice of VP or Secretary of State.

President Bush commutes the sentences for two ex-border agents.

2008 U.S. Senate Race

Republican Norm Coleman's campaign wants the court to review all of the remaining absentee ballots. MPR, AP and the Pi Press have stories.

The Star Tribune called it a "dramatic shift in strategy."

Meanwhile, Democrat Al Franken is raising money in Washington. He also appeared at an inauguration party.

State Government

MPR profiles how one city will deal with the State budget crisis.

Minnesota's DFL delegation is looking for help from Congress.

Charter schools are facing tougher rules.

The economy is hitting private schools hard.

The MPCA wants to ban trash burning.

Some Minnesota counties continue to offer bounties for gophers.

Minneapolis and St. Paul are mulling a ban on trans fats.

Congress

DFL Rep. Jim Oberstar says the proposed stimulus plan doesn't spend enough on transportation projects.

DFL Rep. Tim Walz says he's reluctant to spend the second part of the first stimulus package.

DFL Rep. Collin Peterson is calling for greater investment in Rural America.

Congress passed some pay equity bills. GOP Rep. John Kline is mentioned as opposing the legislation.

Politico says GOP Rep. Michele Bachmann may be careful in her criticism of Obama.

DFL Rep. Keith Ellison gets a seat on the Foreign Affairs Committee.

2010

Mark Dayton is planning a run for governor.

Not wasting any time on change

Posted at 12:50 PM on January 20, 2009 by Tom Scheck (2 Comments)

I just visited the White House website to see if there were any quick changes as a result of the transition. As expected, President Obama's picture is profiled at the top. What is even more interesting is the message I received when I typed "George W. Bush" into the site's search engine:

Search was unable to find any results for "george w. bush", you may have typed your word incorrectly, have entered an empty phrase or are being too specific.

Update: A search of Bush does prompt some results although Laura Bush comes up first.

Update to the Update: George W. Bush is now popping up on the website.

UPDATE to the UPDATE to the UPDATE: Politico is reporting that the new White House site is now criticizing Former President George W. Bush.

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Coleman says "Franken is no Obama" in fundraising solicitation....

Posted at 5:10 PM on January 20, 2009 by Tom Scheck (4 Comments)

Just hours after congratulating President Obama for becoming the 44th President of the United States, Republican Norm Coleman is now pointing out the differences between Obama and Democrat Al Franken. In a fundraising letter to supporters entitled "The difference between Obama and Franken", Coleman wrote this:

Today marks an historic occasion for each and every American, from all backgrounds, all political philosophies and all walks of life. We all wish our new President well, and we will support him when we agree with him and be the voice of the loyal opposition when we do not.

Unfortunately, the kind of change that President Barack Obama brings to Washington is worlds apart from the kind of change that Al Franken is seeking here in Minnesota.

Barack Obama won a majority of our nation's votes fair and square.
Al Franken had to change the rules of the game to overturn our victory.

Barack Obama was elected based on the principle of one person - one vote.
Al Franken's lead exists because some votes were counted twice, while others weren't counted at all.

Franken's coordinated attempt to silence voices must not stand. But it might, unless I hear from you soon.

Meanwhile, Franken's campaign issued a statement congratulating Obama:

Today, President Obama made clear what we all know: the challenges we face are significant, and change won't happen overnight. But today, we are one nation united and ready to get to work, with a President ready to lead us. Like so many others, I have been inspired by our new President to look towards the future with optimism, and with the knowledge that there is nothing we can't accomplish together. The next few years will call for bold action and courage on the part of our leaders and our citizens. And I know that, with all of us working together, we will meet that call.

For those living under a rock, Minnesota's long-running U.S. Senate race is still being sorted out in the courts. Oh, and there were a bunch of court filings today.

Update: The Political Animal is reporting that Franken is also raising money off of the inauguration.

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