Archive for January, 2009

It’s party time in the capital to celebrate Obama’s rise »

On the eve of the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday celebration and the approach of his own historic swearing-in as president, Barack Obama stood Sunday in front of the Lincoln Memorial, evoked the country’s heroes and heritage and told the nation that “the dream of our founders will live on in time.”
Obama spoke during [...]

Senate Democrats expect to seat Burris »

Reversing course, Senate Democrats grudgingly accepted embattled Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s hand-selected Senate appointee, Roland Burris, as they sought to break an impasse over President-elect Barack Obama’s former seat.
The new Illinois senator is expected to be sworn into office later this week.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada and Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois made [...]

Obama set to press for his share of bailout funds »

A week shy of taking office, President-elect Barack Obama already is putting his persuasion skills to a high-stakes test with Congress as he seeks access to the second half of the $700 billion financial bailout fund.Obama planned to be in the Capitol on Tuesday to meet with Senate Democrats. And his transition team prepared to [...]

Emotional at the last, Bush defends his presidency »

BushWith rare public emotion, George W. Bush sat in judgment on his controversial, consequential presidency on Monday, lamenting mistakes but claiming few as his own, heatedly defending his record on disasters in Iraq and at home and offering kindly advice to a successor who won largely because the nation ached for something new.
By turns wistful, [...]

Bush seeks final bailout funds at Obama’s behest »

Acting at Barack Obama’s behest, President George W. Bush on Monday asked Congress for the final $350 billion in the financial bailout fund, effectively ceding economic reins to the president-elect in an extraordinary display of transition teamwork. Obama also sharply criticized Bush’s handling of the money and promised radical changes.
Bush’s move sets the stage for [...]