Looks Like We Might Have a White House That Cares About Darfur

George Clooney visited with the President and Veep last night on his recent trip to Eastern Chad …

Biden’s Choice

The only “news” so far today about the new Obama Administration is that Vice President-elect Joe Biden had a choice: Veep or Secretary of State.

When Biden was announced as President-elect Barack Obama’s running mate, I remember thinking that it was a good choice in many respects, but America was losing its best candidate for Secretary of State on the Democratic bench.  I also remember thinking that I hoped Biden wouldn’t become relegated to the old-style vice presidency, state funerals and show-the-flag campaigns.  They guy is too smart, too centered and works too hard at understanding the world and America’s unique place in it to not have a seat at the big table of American foreign policy.  In other words, would be better served by keeping Biden right where we was, as head of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee?

When Dr. Jill Biden let the cat out of the bag today that her husband had a choice, two more things struck me.  First, her explanation that part of the decision centered around their family.  I think this says as much about the genuinely good guy Biden is as anything.  Second, if he had a choice, he had some say.  Biden also understands what he has to offer and its more than ceremony.  If he had the choice and took veep, I’m betting he also go himself a seat at the big table.  We’re not going to see four years of a co-presidency, as with DICK Cheney, but I’m hopeful that Biden will be there, at the big table, for the biggest decisions regarding an Obama foreign policy.

Transcript: Vice-President-Elect Joe Biden – Interview – ABC’s ‘This Week’ with George Stephanopolous | December 21, 2008

(Source: CQ Transriptswire)

STEPHANOPOULOS: Hello again. We begin today with our exclusive headliner, Vice President-elect Joe Biden.

He’s been keeping an unusually low profile since the election. In fact, this is his first interview, so we had a lot to talk about when I traveled to Wilmington on Friday.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) BIDEN: Thanks for coming up.

STEPHANOPOULOS: Sure.

(voice over): For the first time, Biden discussed what he’s been doing during the transition, and his role in the Obama White House. He opened up on Dick Cheney , Hillary Clinton, and his new puppy, too.

But we began with the new administration’s first order of business, enacting the most ambitious economic recovery plan since FDR’s 100 days.

(on camera): I’ve talked to several people on Capitol Hill who say that your team is talking about a package in the $700 billion range — it could rise, but in the $700 billion range.

BIDEN: What we’re doing is putting together what we think will be the economic package that will do two things. One, stem the hemorrhaging of the loss of jobs, and begin to create new jobs. Read more

Transcript: Obama News Conference Announcing Environment and Energy Team | December 15

(Source: CQ Transcriptswire)

• SPEAKER: PRESIDENT-ELECT BARACK OBAMA
• STEVEN CHU, ENERGY SECRETARY NOMINEE
• LISA JACKSON, EPA ADMINISTRATOR NOMINEE
• NANCY SUTLEY, HEAD, COUNCIL FOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY-DESIGNATE CAROL BROWNER, ENERGY CZAR-DESIGNATE
• VICE PRESIDENT-ELECT JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

[*] OBAMA: Good afternoon, everybody.

Over the past few weeks, Vice President-elect Biden and I have announced key members of our economic and national security teams. In the 21st century, we know that the future of our economy and national security is inextricably linked with one challenge: energy.

So today we’re pleased to introduce the majority of the team that will lead our efforts on energy and the environment. I say the majority, because we are going to be doing separate announcements for the secretary of the interior, who’s going to have a lot to do on energy policy. And, obviously, interior or — transportation and agriculture will be important, as well. Read more

Transcript: Obama News Conference Announcing Hillary Clinton and National Security Team | December 1

(Source: CQ Transcripts Wire)

SPEAKERS: PRESIDENT-ELECT BARACK OBAMA; SEN. HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON, D-N.Y.; SUSAN E. RICE, NATIONAL SECURITY POLICY WORKING GROUP LEADER, OBAMA-BIDEN PRESIDENTIAL TRANSITION TEAM; GENERAL JIM JONES (USMC, RET.) SECRETARY OF DEFENSE ROBERT M. GATES;
GOVERNOR JANET NAPOLITANO, D-ARIZ., ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER, OBAMA-BIDEN PRESIDENTIAL TRANSITION TEAM; FORMER DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL ERIC HOLDER; VICE PRESIDENT-ELECT JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

[*] OBAMA: Good morning, everybody. I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Last week, we announced our economic team which is working as we speak to craft an economic recovery program to create jobs and grow our struggling economy.

Today, Vice President-elect Biden and I are pleased to announce our national security team. The national security challenges we face are just as great and just as urgent as our economic crisis. We are fighting two wars. Our old conflicts remain unresolved. And newly- asserted powers have put strains on the international system. Read more

Ohio: Latest Election News Update – PM – November 3

From Ohio’s Major Newspapers

• Biden makes one last plea to Ohioans - Toledo Blade
• Coal becomes burning issue at end of campaign - Columbus Dispatch
• Final Ohio Poll puts Obama as likely winner - The Plain Dealer
• Hundreds endure long lines at Lucas County voting center - Toledo Blade
• Early voters nearly a third of expected total: Officials - Akron Beacon Journal
• Palin starts final day of campaigning in Lakewood – The Plain Dealer
• Long waits during final day of early voting - Dayton Daily News
• Officials confident we won’t see goofs like in ‘04 - Columbus Dispatch
• What local bloggers are saying about the election - The Plain Dealer
• Potential pitfalls on election day - Columbus Dispatch
• Dems feel good heading into Tuesday – Columbus Dispatch
• Final list of Ohio House targeted races - Columbus Dispatch

• Crowds flock to Obama – Columbus Dispatch
• McCain: Momentum “Here” – Columbus Dispatch

• New Voters: Blue Tint – Columbus Dispatch
• Late night for early voters – Columbus Dispatch
• Kilroy, Stivers still sprinting - Columbus Dispatch
• Joe the Plumber sign of the times – Toledo Blade

Ohio Sunday Papers & Election News Updates – November 2 – PM

Columbus Dispatch 

Obama maintains lead in last Dispatch Poll

Dispatch Poll methodology

Click for Full Graphic

• Candidates can’t seem to stay out of Ohio
• Election Day lines should move faster
• Voter Guide: Nation Awaits Ohio’s Choice
• Obama draws 60,000 to Statehouse on Sunday
• Biden blasts McCain for name calling
• Op-Ed, Jonathan Riskind: Traditional GOP Ground Not Looking as Stable
• Op-Ed, Joe Hallett: Checks on ‘Joe the Plumber’ Out of Bounds

The Plain Dealer

• Obama and The Boss after Browns Game; Palin draws fewer in Canton
• Palin to Ohio: Do You Share Our Commitment?
• Endorsing faith – Not politcians
• Ohio’s out-of-state absentee voters could affect election
• Op-Ed, Connie Schultz: Intimidation can’t silence the voice of the people
• Op-Ed, Thomas Suddes: Ohioans mustn’t fall for payday lenders stealth campaign

Dayton Daily News

• Ohio still the political heartland
• Obama adviser visits rural areas
• McCain makes two day trip to Ohio
• Obama stirs crowd of 60k in Columbus

2 ½ Days: News Coverage of the Election from Ohio | November 1

Columbus Dispatch

• Long lines – yes; longer hours – maybe
  
• GOP gets earful for answers on survey
  
• Mailers are making the TV ads look lame
  
• Boehner demands monitors at polls
  
• GOP volunteers steer up votes
  
• Paper ballot must be offered if poll is busy
  
• Biden, Clinton visit Southern Ohio
  
• Governator stumps for McCain
  
• Worker who checked on ‘Joe’ speaks
  

The Plain Dealer

• McCain predicts comeback victory; Obama advisers skeptical
  
• Multiple absentee ballots sent to some Ohio voters
  
• Op-Ed, Joe Frolik: Election Day Primer
  
• Op-Ed, Kevin O’Brien: Obama a Socialist
  

(Editor’s Note: Op-Ed, Pelikan: Kevin O’Brien is a douche bag)

Youngstown Vindicator

• Most at YSU couldn’t see or hear McCain
  

Dayton Daily News

• Biden derides McCain in Kettering
  
• Boehner’s name-calling desperate: Obama Aide
  
• McCain keeps up attacks on Obama
  

Akron Beacon Journal

• Race to finish in search of votes
• Voters make up minds to try something new
• Editorial: Plumbing for Answers
• Editorial: Lying about his record
• Op-Ed, Steve Hoffman: Why wait for Tuesday? Here’s the deal …

Cincinnati Enquirer

• CT man voted here
  
• Political fliers at churches slammed
  
• Down to the wire, Obama, Palin coming
  

Toledo Blade

• MI woman heads south to door knock
  
• Bus tour rolls into Bowling Green
  
• Boehner appears in Perrysburg
  
• ‘Terminator’ Rallies McCain Faithful
  
• Biden denounces Bush legacy in Lima
  
• Op-Ed, Reg Henry: We’re all runners in this race

Campaign stays hot in Ohio: 2008 Elections Coverage by Ohio’s Major Dailies

Columbus Dispatch

• McCain camp sees gap tightening in battleground states
  
• Clinton talks up Obama in Youngstown
  
• In So. Ohio Hillary says Nation needs Obama
  
• Obama army blankets Ohio
  
• Editorial: Sex, Lies and Gifts
  
• The Arnold heading to Columbus
  
• GOP says sorry to House Democrat
  
• Obama likes Clinton vet to serve as CoS
  

Cleveland Plain Dealer

• Clinton, Strickland stump for Obama
  
• McCain ends bus trip with muscle
  
• Springsteen campaigns for Obama this weekend in Cleveland
  
• McCain’s third stop leaves open field
  
• McCain gives shout out to ‘Joe the Plumber’ relatives
  

Dayton Daily News

• Election Board to probe Husted’s Residency
  
• Boehner calls Obama barnyard name
  
• Biden calls McCain Bush’s Sidekick in Kettering
  
• McCain, ‘Joe the Plumber’ draw crowds across Ohio
  
• Judge throws out suit to take Obama off Ohio ballots

Video: Vice Presidential Debate, St. Louis, October 2, 2008

Transcript – Vice Presidential Debate – Palin v. Biden – St. Louis, October 2, 2008

(Source: CNN)

WASHINGTON (CNN) — The vice presidential candidates, Democratic Sen. Joe Biden and Republican Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, are debating in St. Louis, Missouri, Thursday night. Gwen Ifill of PBS is the debate moderator. Here is a transcript of that debate: Read more

Vice Presidential Debate Time & News

Palin – Biden Live Tonight all over the Tube at 9 p.m. Eastern.

VP Debate Time and Information

The Vice-Presidential Debate will be held Thursday night, October 2, at 9 p.m. All the major networks and cable news outfits will be providing coverage.

Latest News

• Debate moderator’s objectivity is questioned – New York Times
• Seeing past a debate’s sound and fury – New York Times
• Biden, Palin have different missions in debate – CNN
• All eyes on Palin as VP debate arrives – San Francisco Chronicle
• Unusually high stakes in debate – Christian Science Monitor
• Anxious party tells McCain to fight harder – The Guardian
• Gaffe-prone Biden vs. Gaffe-prone Palin – MTV
• Underdog Palin sharpens sound bites for Biden – London Times

Wednesday p.m. – Windstorm news, many still without power across state, Brunner, Strickland, Beatty

Ohio News

• 8 p.m. Electricity still out in 47,000 greater Cleveland homes – The Plain Dealer
• Eaton rejects $25 million incentives and leaves Cleveland – The Plain Dealer
• Cleveland councilwoman resigns to take Ohio Senate Seat – The Plain Dealer
• 5 p.m. AEP nears halfway mark in restoring power – Columbus Dispatch
• Two sue over Brunner’s absentee ruling – Columbus Dispatch

• Biden rips McCain in Maumee for ignoring middle class – Columbus Dispatch
• OSU to pay Beatty $320,000 in new job – Columbus Dispatch
• 7 p.m. Storm leaves Dayton on brink of ‘food crisis’ – Dayton Daily News
• Strickland seeks $7 million in federal aid for storm relief – Dayton Daily News

Video: Joe Biden on Meet the Press, Sunday, September 7, 2008

Video Includes Full Show with Tom Friedman and Roundtable

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