What You Need to Know: 01.05.09

Richardson withdrawal leaves cabinet gap
“The Cabinet that President-elect Barack Obama picked on a fast track has an unexpected opening, with New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, Obama’s choice for commerce secretary, withdrawing under pressure of a federal investigation into how his political donors landed a lucrative transportation contract.

Richardson’s withdrawal, first reported by NBC News’ Andrea Mitchell, was the initial disruption of Obama’s Cabinet process and the second “pay-to-play” investigation that has touched Obama’s transition to the presidency. The president-elect has remained above the fray in both the case of arrested Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich and the New Mexico case.”

Obama Plan Includes $300 Billion in Tax Cuts
“President-elect Barack Obama plans to include about $300 billion in tax cuts for workers and businesses in his economic recovery program, advisers said Sunday, as his team seeks to win over Congressional skeptics worried that he was too focused on government spending.

The legislation Mr. Obama is developing with Congressional Democrats will devote about 40 percent of the cost to tax cuts, including his centerpiece campaign promise to provide credits up to $500 for most workers, costing roughly $150 billion. The package will also include more than $100 billion in tax incentives for businesses to create jobs and invest in equipment or factories.”

Israel Rebuffs Peace Efforts, Driving Deeper Into Gaza
“Backed by fire from air, sea and land, Israeli troops and tanks tightened their grip on Gaza on Monday, rebuffing diplomatic efforts to end the 10-day assault.

A cavalcade of foreign would-be mediators, including President Nicolas Sarkozy of France, headed to the region in quest of a cease-fire, as Israeli forces took control of Hamas rocket-launching areas in Gaza and seized high-rise buildings overlooking Gaza City after slicing through the center of the beleaguered territory on Sunday. The reported death toll of Palestinians passed 500 since the Israeli assault began, including 100 said to be civilians.”

Panel to declare Franken winner of Senate race
“A state election board on Monday will announce Democrat Al Franken has defeated Republican incumbent Norm Coleman in Minnesota’s U.S. Senate race, state officials told CNN Sunday.

The canvassing board on Monday will say a recount determined Franken won by 225 votes, Secretary of State Mark Ritchie told CNN.”

Burris plans to show up at Senate chambers Tuesday
“Roland Burris, the controversial appointee to fill Barack Obama’s Senate seat, planned to go to Washington on Monday as top Democrats and Republicans meet to try to work out a bipartisan solution to their Senate dilemma.

Burris was picked by embattled Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who is accused of trying to sell Obama’s Senate seat.

Some Senate Democrats say Burris should not be seated, but Burris says he has the legal right to serve as senator.”

Virginia Governor Is Named D.N.C. Chief
“Gov. Tim Kaine, of Virginia, who was a top contender to be President-elect Barack Obama’s running mate, has been tapped by him to become the next chairman of the Democratic National Committee, Democrats familiar with the decision said Sunday.

Mr. Kaine will succeed Howard Dean as the party chairman when the party elects officers at its meeting here this month. By tradition, the committee defers to the choice of a sitting president.”

Republican party showdown today
“The six candidates running to lead the GOP’s national committee face off today at a debate in Washington. The debate for the chairmanship of the Republican National Committee comes two months after the party lost the White House and lost seats in both houses of Congress. It also comes on the day that President-elect Barack Obama, just back from vacation, spends his first full day in nation’s capitol as he prepares to take over the presidency.

The challenge for which ever of the six candidates who wins the chairmanship is to broaden the party’s appeal with younger voters and minority voters. Republicans fared poorly with both groups at the polls in November. The party also needs to improve its appeal to moderate voters and to voters in the Northeast and the West, two regions where the GOP was basically shutout in the general election.”

This entry was posted on Monday, January 5th, 2009 at 11:53 am and is filed under what you need to know. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.