Obama says Burris appointment 'disappointing'
President-elect Barack Obama released a statement Tuesday criticizing Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich's decision to appoint Roland Burris to the U.S. Senate:
"Roland Burris is a good man and a fine public servant, but the Senate Democrats made it clear weeks ago that they cannot accept an appointment made by a governor who is accused of selling this very Senate seat. I agree with their decision, and it is extremely disappointing that Governor Blagojevich has chosen to ignore it. I believe the best resolution would be for the Governor to resign his office and allow a lawful and appropriate process of succession to take place. While Governor Blagojevich is entitled to his day in court, the people of Illinois are entitled to a functioning government and major decisions free of taint and controversy," said President-elect Obama.
Inauguration organizers describe day-long endurance test
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/12/25/art.capitol.gi.jpg caption="Preparations are non-stop for the January 20 event."] (CNN) - There are still a host of question marks around next month’s inauguration festivities, but one thing is undeniable: the day may be geared less to your average middle schooler, and more to a field-tested U.S. Marine.
In the latest blunt advisory released Monday, the presidential inaugural committee said ticket-holders for President-elect Barack Obama’s swearing-in ceremony will need to arrive no fewer than three hours before the outdoor ceremony’s scheduled 11:30 a.m. start time.
But getting there in the first place poses a logistical challenge that’s not for the faint of heart or limb. Despite a new plan to turn big sections of the city into parking lots for charter buses and a peak rush hour schedule plan for the city’s Metro system, most cars and buses are unlikely to be allowed to enter the city, let alone the designated two-mile security zone around the swearing-in site.
Blagojevich names Burris to fill Obama seat
Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich announced Tuesday that he will appoint Roland Burris to fill the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Barack Obama. (Getty Images)
CHICAGO, Illinois (CNN) - Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich named former Illinois Atty. Gen. Roland Burris on Tuesday to replace President-elect Barack Obama in the U.S. Senate, calling him a "wise and distinguished senior statesman" with "unquestioned integrity."
Watch: Blagojevich names Burris
FBI agents arrested Blagojevich on December 9 after federal prosecutors alleged, among other things, that he had tried to "sell" Obama's former Senate seat. Blagojevich denies any wrongdoing.
Burris does not have to be formally approved by the Senate to be appointed by Blagojevich. But the Senate could refuse to seat Burris or seat him and investigate the manner in which he was appointed, and unseat him if they discover any wrongdoing.
Watch: Burris accepts Senate nod
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nevada, has threatened not to seat anyone the governor appoints, and has called for the Illinois Democrat to step down.
Updated 3:11 p.m.
Sources: Senate Democrats to block Burris appointment
(CNN) - Two Democratic officials tell CNN Senate Democratic leaders are planning to block Gov. Rod Blagojevich's appointment of Roland Burris to the Senate seat once held by President-elect Obama.
The officials said this has nothing to do with Burris, an African-American leader and former state attorney general: "anyone appointed by Gov. Blagojevich can not be an effective representative of Illinois and will not be seated by the Democratic caucus," said one.
A spokesman for President-elect Obama says the transition has no comment on this. But they note Obama has previously called on the governor to resign.
UPDATE: Senate Democratic leadership released a statement saying Blagojevich's appointment of Burris was "unfair to the people of Illinois and it will ultimately not stand."
(Full statement as released after the jump)
FULL POST
Senate can refuse to seat Blagojevich appointee
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/12/30/art.blagopresser1230.gi.jpg caption="CNN has learned that Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich has settled on someone to replace Barack Obama in the U.S. Senate."]
WASHINGTON (CNN) - CNN spoke with Senate historian Don Ritchie earlier this month about what could happen if Gov. Rod Blagojevich were to appoint someone to fill President-elect Barack Obama's Senate seat:
"The Constitution gives the Senate the ultimate authority to decide the qualifications of any of its members," Ritchie said.
TEXT: This is under Article 1, Section 5 which states "Each House shall be the Judge of the Elections, Returns and Qualifications of its own Members..."
WHEN? The Senate can only react after someone has presented a certificate of appointment. And then, refusal must of course come as a vote.
Franken leads but fighting lingers in Minnesota recount
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/12/19/art.mnballot1219.gi.jpg caption="Franken holds a narrow edge over Norm Coleman as counting continues."]ST. PAUL, Minnesota (CNN) - Democrat Al Franken maintained his slim lead of 50 votes Tuesday as Minnesota Secretary of State Mark Ritchie and the state canvassing board allocated the remainder of what was approximately 6,000 ballots that had - at one point or another - been challenged by both campaigns.
"If there are any nits to be picked, they've been picked," said board member and Minnesota State Supreme Court Chief Justice Eric Magnuson as the board adjourned.
In a statement, Franken himself said, "As it appears that we're on track to win, I want Minnesotans to know that I'm ready to get to work for them in Washington on day one."
Coleman campaign attorney Tony Trimble called Franken's double digit lead "artificial" and maintained there is still a long way to go in the counting process, specifically because a large number of improperly rejected absentee ballots have yet to be tallied.
Sources: Blagojevich to name ex-state AG to replace Obama
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/12/30/art.burris.cnn.jpg caption="Burris is a former Illinois attorney general."] CHICAGO, Illinois (CNN) - Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich is expected Tuesday to name former Illinois Atty. Gen. Roland Burris to replace President-elect Barack Obama in the U.S. Senate, CNN affiliates the Chicago Tribune and WLS TV reported, citing sources familiar with the decision.
Blagojevich, who has been the target of an ongoing federal investigation, is to announce his choice at a news conference at 2 p.m. local time.
FBI agents arrested Blagojevich on December 9 after federal prosecutors alleged, among other things, that he had tried to "sell" Obama's former Senate seat. Blagojevich denies any wrongdoing.
Burris does not have to be formally approved by the Senate to be appointed by Blagojevich. But the Senate could refuse to seat Burris or seat him and investigate the manner in which he was appointed, and unseat him if they discover any wrongdoing.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nevada, has threatened not to seat anyone the governor appoints, and has called for the Illinois Democrat to step down.
(updated 1:10 p.m. with additoinal information)
Obama's paycheck bonus
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/12/30/art.bojoeshake1230.gi.jpg caption="Then-Sen. Obama's chance meeting with an Ohio plumber in October became a symbol for the battle for working- and middle class voters."]
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) - For many cash-strapped workers, Barack Obama's plan to stimulate the economy could mean more take-home money in their paychecks.
While details remain unclear, the president-elect's recovery proposal is likely to include a tax cut to boost spending. Exactly how much of a break that could mean for workers depends on how the tax cut is structured.
But back-of-the-envelope calculations suggest in some scenarios it could be anywhere from an extra $83 to $166 per paycheck during the first quarter of the year.
David Axelrod, a top adviser to Obama speaking Sunday on NBC's "Meet the Press," said Obama had promised a middle class tax cut and that his economic recovery package will include "a portion of a tax cut that will become part of the permanent tax cut he'll have in his upcoming budget."
Click here to read the full story on CNNMoney.com
Obama should engage Hamas, former U.S. envoy says
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/POLITICS/12/30/obama.gaza/art.obama.israel.gi.jpg caption=" Barack Obama had high hopes for a peace deal when he visited Israel in July."]
(CNN) - The former U.S. special envoy to the Middle East said Tuesday that President-elect Barack Obama should engage with Hamas under certain conditions, and sooner rather than later.
Retired Gen. Anthony Zinni said if Obama hopes to forge a peace deal, he needs to do it at the beginning of his administration.
"You make a commitment that no matter what happens, you'll stick with it," Zinni said on CNN's "American Morning." "We have enough agreements in principle that never worked out. I would say - start from the beginning, be determined, stick with it and don't repeat the mistakes of the past and the processes of the past that did not work."
In order for the new administration to engage with Hamas, Zinni said the militant group must be willing to end its rocket attacks and violence against Israel and commit to a peace process.
In the long term, Zinni said, the next administration will have to take a new approach in dealing with the problem.
"The old way of using envoys and summits and us putting plans on the table - that has never worked. I think we need a fresh start, more involved, a greater presence on the ground and a commitment to do it throughout the term of an administration," Zinni said.
People.com: Bristol Palin Welcomes a Son
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/12/30/art.palin30.gi.jpg caption="Bristol Palin with Levi Johnston, mother Sarah Palin and brother Trig at the GOP convention."]Bristol Palin, the 18-year-old daughter of former Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin, gave birth on Saturday to a healthy 7 lb., 7 oz., baby boy in Palmer, Alaska.
"We think it's wonderful," said Colleen Jones, the sister of Bristol's grandmother Sally Heath, who confirmed the news. "The baby is fine and Bristol is doing well. Everyone is excited."
The baby's name is Tripp Easton Mitchell Johnston and he was born at 5:30 a.m., according to Jones.
Baby Tripp takes his surname from his dad, Levi Johnston, an apprentice electrician and former Wasilla High School hockey player who has been dating Bristol for three years.
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