Mori Dinauer

Hillary Clinton‘s appearance before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee today did not produce much in the way of friction, and by Tim‘s reading of the hearing, doesn’t shed any additional light on what an Obama foreign policy will actually look like (indeed, it complicates the matter). On the other hand, Steve Benen is impressed by […]

It’s amazing that George Bush, in his final White House press conference, would recycle the “compassionate conservatism” concept he originally campaigned on as a remedy for what ails today’s GOP. It’s amazing that the president can essentially admit he authorized the torture of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and that outside of John Conyers, there doesn’t appear […]

Skepticism continues to build over whether the economic stimulus package being worked out by president-elect Barack Obama will really be enough to reverse the economic downturn and like Ezra, I worry that Obama’s clear commitment to being open to ideas has yet to manifest itself as something more than a generic price tag. That being […]

Barack Obama made his first big PR push for passing a comprehensive economic stimulus package while Nancy Pelosi promised Congress would remain in session through the President’s Day recess if the legislation was not yet ready. Harry Reid has also threatened to bring the Senate to order this Sunday to vote on the Omnibus Public […]

In preparation for a Thursday pitch for his economic stimulus package, Barack Obama announced a new position in his administration, a chief performance officer, tasked with government reform and restoring fiscal order. The first CPO will be McKinsey & Company senior director Nancy Killefer. The supposed drama between Harry Reid and Roland Burris has predictably […]

The 111th Congress was sworn in today, with two notable exceptions. Roland Burris got about as far as the secretary of Senate’s office, where he was turned down because his credentials weren’t in order. Burris will now explore his legal options for being seated. Meanwhile Al Franken, fully aware that Harry Reid won’t seat him […]

Transitions: Barack Obama named Leon E. Panetta to head the CIA, Tim Kaine to head the DNC, and filled out more spots in the Justice department. Adam and Tim have more on the very encouraging news of Dawn Johnsen heading up the Office of Legal Council, where the most odious lawbreaking decisions of the Bush […]

We’ve known for some time that much of the political action (or inaction) in 2009 will be in the Senate. But now it’s getting ridiculous. Democrats might physically block Roland Burris from enter the Senate chamber and John Cornyn has reiterated his pledge to refuse to seat Al Franken next week. Meanwhile, David Paterson has […]

Blagojevich/Burris roundup: The Illinois AG admits his power is limited to block the Governor’s appointments, saying yesterday’s posturing was merely “a moral stand.” Fair enough. The Illinois Senate, meanwhile, has no plans to fast-track impeachment proceedings for Blagojevich and Patrick Fitzgerald has requested a 90-day extension before indicting the Governor. Illinois state rep. Danny Davis […]

Ok, let me see if I’ve got the story straight so far. Rod Blagojevich decides to appoint former Illinois AG Roland Burris to fill Barack Obama‘s Senate seat, despite earlier warnings from Senate Democrats that any Blagojevich appointment would not be seated. Harry Reid calls the Burris appointment “unacceptable” and Senate Democrats draft a letter […]