5
POPSObama and McCain Meet This strikes me as probably more than a "let bygones be bygones" photo op. McCain's loss was an expensive one for him in terms of political capital. He's on the outs with his party right now. If he's close to the Obama White House, he has some leverage to get some of his stuff done. It would also be helpful for Obama to have some pull with the senate GOP. Like they say, if you can't beat 'em...
2
POPSClinton to Head State Dept.? Politico describes this as a "secret meeting," but it's got to be one of the worst-kept secrets ever. The tone of the piece is rumor, but the fact that there's a specific cabinet post being talked about suggests there's probably something more. Previous reports had Sec. of State as a contest between John Kerry and Bill Richardson. I liked Richardson for the post, but I would've been happy with either. To tell the truth, at this point in time, I've got nothing against HRC taking it either.
1
POPSFrom The Department of "As If" Uncanny. Maybe I should go back and look through that victory speech for other tea leaves. And back in Iraq: Some military leaders remain wary of Obama's pledge to order a steady withdrawal of combat forces from Iraq, to be completed within 16 months -- an order advisers say Obama is likely to give in his first weeks in office. Adm. Michael Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has called a withdrawal timeline "dangerous." Others are distrustful of a new administration they see as unschooled in the counterinsurgency wars that have consumed the military for the past seven years. Gosh - a very public order to commence withdrawals followed by very quiet back-pedaling as conditions are evaluated and re-evaluated would be awfully cynical and manipulative, wouldn't it? On the other hand, Obama has said a million times that we must be as responsible in leaving Iraq as we were careless in entering, . .
1
POPSReported Obama-Hamas Contacts Bode Ill Another clash between Obama’s public statements and his team's behind-the-scenes activities. According to Yousuf, Hamas' contact with Obama's advisors was ongoing, adding that he personally had friendly relations with a few of Obama's advisers whom he had met when he lived in the US. "Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh will draft a congratulatory letter to Obama for his victory in the elections," added Yousef. "The policy Obama will instate in the Middle East will differ from that of his predecessor George W. Bush, although it is clear that the region and the Palestinian issue will not be at the top of his agenda," Yousef told Al-Hayat, "(Obama) will focus more on the economic crisis, Iraq and Afghanistan." © 2008 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
2
POPSObama administration to ratchet up hunt for bin Laden Well, that's the first bit of good news I've heard so far with anything connected to Obama. However, they couldn't resist a dig: "The Obama team believes the Bush administration has downplayed the importance of catching the FBI's most-wanted terrorist because it has not been able to find him." The Bush Administration has NEVER downplayed the importance of finding Bin Laden; maybe didn't want to broadcast their operations to the entire world, but never have them minimized the desire/will to get him.
6
POPSObama's 'Change' and Rahm-bo: Neo-conned Again? This article, if read, will burst the bubble of belief by Obama cheerleaders. (Did Pelosi or a Dem Congress change anything either?) Roberts does not spare Obama any more than he did Bush: War policy: In “Hail to the Chief of Staff,” Alexander Cockburn describes Emanuel as “a super-Likudnik hawk,” who as chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in 2006 “made great efforts to knock out antiwar Democratic candidates.” The neoconservatives were and are intimately tied to the Israeli Likud Party with its militant Zionist war agenda for a "new middle east". On Economy: Obama’s advisers are drawn from the same gang of Washington thugs and Wall Street banksters as Bush’s. Consider Obama's support of Lieberman then too, who supported McCain and is another "super-Likudnik hawk" when it comes to Israel and war policy. Get the picture yet? Some very important policies (primary ones) will not "change" at a
4
POPSEven As AIG Pleads For Another $40 Billion Dollars In Loans
~ ~ ~ They're Discovered at a $343,000 Secret Gathering, AIG Signs and Logos Hidden~ ~ ~ The company’s portion of the total meeting costs is under $25,000. Additionally, financial planner attendees are responsible for their travel-related expenses, registration fee ($199), and guest registration fee ($250).The company’s portion of the total meeting costs is under $25,000. Additionally, financial planner attendees are responsible for their travel-related expenses, registration fee ($199), and guest registration fee ($250). Conference Sponsors (as seen on a board in one of the conference rooms) -AIG SunAmerica Mutual Funds -OppenheimerFunds -Russell Investments -Brinker Capital -Investment Advisory Services -Curian Capital -Dimensional Fund Advisors -eMoney Advisor -Financial Guidance -Genworth Financial -Hanlon Investment Management -Invesco AIM -Icon Advisers -IAS -iShares -John Hancock -Lockwood Advisors -Morningstar -Rochdale Investment Management
0
POPSWelcome to IVA Bankruptcy IVA debt solution may be the best solution for a troubled debtor. If an individual is heading toward bankruptcy or insolvency then IVA debt solution may be the best option for him. To learn about the IVA event so you can sign up for IVA free advice. There are many IVA advisers in the UK This is because more and more people in Britain are falling in the clutches of the debt trap.
6
POPSThe Test The next Presidency has within its reach at least two generation-spanning causes: the need to jump-start a new energy economy, and, in so doing, help to contain climate change; and the need to enact a plan to provide quality health care to all Americans, and, in so doing, complete the project of social insurance that Roosevelt described in 1935. Each of these projects is urgent, but it is health-care reform that speaks more directly to the economic and human dimensions of the present downturn. The accumulating failures in the country’s health-care system are a cause of profound weakness in the American economy ; unaddressed, this weakness will exacerbate the coming recession and crimp its aftermath. Add to this the system’s moral failings: about twenty-two thousand people die in this country annually because they lack health insurance.
3
POPSIt's Official: Emanuel is Obama Chief of Staff No surprise. This has been in the works for a few days, but now it's official. I suppose this should be the first position filled, since this is basically the guy who runs the cabinet. Emanuel wasn't on my wishlist, but you take what you can get. For Secretary of State, say it with me, "Bill Richardson, Bill Richardson, Bill Richardson..." There's been some talk of Robert Kennedy Jr. joining the team as head of the EPA. A good choice, but make him Attorney General and watch Dick Cheney shit his pants and run. See also; Obama Considers Stars for Cabinet .
18
POPS"Wasilla hillbillies looting Neiman Marcus" NEWSWEEK has also learned that Palin's shopping spree at high-end department stores was more extensive than previously reported. While publicly supporting Palin, McCain's top advisers privately fumed at what they regarded as her outrageous profligacy. One senior aide said that Nicolle Wallace had told Palin to buy three suits for the convention and hire a stylist. But instead, the vice presidential nominee began buying for herself and her family -- clothes and accessories from top stores such as Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus. According to two knowledgeable sources, a vast majority of the clothes were bought by a wealthy donor, who was shocked when he got the bill. Palin also used low-level staffers to buy some of the clothes on their credit cards.
2
POPSSuspicious: Mexican Minister Killed in Plane Crash Could be a hit job, for he was also a rising political figure, and had many other officials on the plane, including former asst. Attorney General (read Prosecutor). Has alot of the marks of a political targeting (Mexican mafia cartels), not just an accident. It crashed into the financial district too. Someone was "sending a strong message" perhaps, that "accidents can happen" to those who mess with the drug cartels. Video by BBC at link. Who wants to be the next Interior Minister in Mexico (involved in battling drug trade)? Any takers?
5
POPSFrancis Fukuyama A notable strict Conservative explains why he is voting for Barack Obama as the next president of the United States.