Tim Fernholz

As transition continues, we’re going to see various advocacy groups try to make their mark on policy. One attempt that ended up in my in-box today came from a coalition of anti-genocide groups. This smart open letter to president-elect Obama on Darfur policy [pdf] puts the state of play in that region in good context […]

The first step of an Obama administration isn’t too hard to map: an expansive economic stimulus package that includes job-creating infrastructure investments, either in a lame duck session before the inauguration or immediately thereafter. But once you get past that, it’s unclear what the next rank priorities will be. Transitioning out of Iraq will be […]

With all signs pointing to Representative Rahm Emanuel becoming Barack Obama’s White House Chief of Staff, some folks have responded with confusion and others with nervous approbation. I’ve also received e-mails criticizing the decision outright. Well, I think it’s a good idea. Emanuel knows how to run a staff, and a White House staff at […]

The Obama–Biden transition team has officially been announced (see the press release after the jump) and doesn’t contain many surprises. A few telling notes: Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano is on the advisory board of the transition, suggesting that she has a good chance at the various Cabinet positions people think she may be appointed to […]

John McCain conceded, and did so with brevity, grace and dignity — taking personal responsibility for the results. His campaign was offensive to many in so many ways, and it is impossible to forget the indignities to which he subjected our democratic process. But just as we do not speak ill of the dead, I […]

Here at the Capital Hyatt Regency, the Democratic Congressional leadership — Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, DCCC Chair Chris Van Hollen, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and DSCC Chair Chuck Schumer — came out and delivered what is more or less their victory speech, celebrating what looks to be substantial expansions of both […]

Republican Congressman Chris Shays has just conceded, according to one of the flacks here in the DCCC press pit. He was the “last” New England Republican, and now he’s gone the way of other obsolete technologies. The lesson? You probably can’t come off as a moderate if you’re defending Sarah Palin. –Tim Fernholz

I’m at the DCCC/DSCC election night watch party, and spirits are high, with Democratic Hill staff, lobbyists and assorted Democratic hangers-on crowded around the bars, cheering as each state was called. With Ohio going Obama’s way, people at the bar jumped into the air, holding hands like champions. Various congressional leaders are appearing on stage, […]

In our election night watch guide, I noted that Vigo County, Indiana has predicted the end result of the presidential race accurately since 1960. Well, the results from Vigo are in — they can be found at Politico’s Indiana page. (The Secretary of State page is somewhat slower to update.) The county has gone Obama, […]

Sure, you’re voting, but someone has to do the thinking! And thus, the latest on foreign political movements, African grain markets, Hispanic migration and democratic foreign policy. Progressive Islamism? [PDF] In a new Carnegie Endowment paper, Omayma Abdel-Latif dispels the claim that women’s increased social and political activism in the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood should be […]