Obama to repeal Bush executive orders

This is why, no matter how bad the Democrats get at times, it's far better to have them in power than the Republicans. From the Washington Post:

Transition advisers to President-elect Barack Obama have compiled a list of about 200 Bush administration actions and executive orders that could be swiftly undone to reverse White House policies on climate change, stem cell research, reproductive rights and other issues, according to congressional Democrats, campaign aides and experts working with the transition team.

Yes, Virginia, science is back on the table. Read the rest of this post...

"Oui, nous pouvons!" ("Yes We Can" in French)

Gee, the world is looking at America with admiration again. Whodathunkit? And just as importantly, it's amazing the degree to which Republicans like to brag that we're the envy of the world, yet Republicans seem to do all they can to make us absolutely hated in the world.

From AP:

Inspired by Barack Obama, the French first lady and other leading figures say it's high time for France to stamp out racism and shake up a white political and social elite that smacks of colonial times.

A manifesto published Sunday — subtitled "Oui, nous pouvons!", the French translation of Obama's campaign slogan "Yes, we can!" — urges affirmative action-like policies and other steps to turn French ideals of equality into reality for millions of blacks, Arabs and other alienated minorities.

"Our prejudices are insidious," Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, a singer and wife of President Nicolas Sarkozy, said in an interview with the Journal du Dimanche newspaper, which published the manifesto. She said she hoped the "Obama effect" would reshape French society.

Nations across Europe rejoiced over Obama's victory, seeing it as a triumph for American democracy and a world weary of President George W. Bush. But Obama's election also illustrated an uncomfortable truth: how far European countries with big minority populations have to go getting nonwhites into positions of power.

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China to rollout economic stimulus plan

The Beijing government is doing what the US ought to be doing, which is pumping billions into infrastructure. Any rise in unemployment in China will be dangerous news in a country that needs to be hitting on all cylinders and growing. Whether this will be enough is another issue, but it's certainly a start.

China announced a $586 billion stimulus package Sunday in its biggest move to stop the global financial crisis from hitting the world's fourth-largest economy.

A statement on the government's Web site said China's Cabinet had approved a plan to invest the amount in infrastructure and social welfare by the end of 2010.

Some of the money will come from the private sector. The statement did not say how much of the spending is on new projects and how much is for ventures already in the pipeline that will be speeded up.

China's export-driven economy is starting to feel the impact of the economic slowdown in the United States and Europe, and the government has already cut key interest rates three times in less than two months in a bid to spur economic expansion.

Economic growth slowed to 9 percent in the third quarter, the lowest level in five years and a sharp decline from last year's 11.9 percent. That is considered dangerously slow for a government that needs to create jobs for millions of new workers who enter the economy every year and to satisfy a public that has come to expect steadily rising incomes.

Exports have been growing at an annual rate of more than 20 percent but analysts expect that may fall as low as zero in coming months as global demand weakens.

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South Park tells us about the Mormons

Click to watch the infamous episode about our very special friends.

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Why is Harry Reid praising Joe Lieberman

It's too soon to tell, but this is not a good sign. One would hope with a new Congress, and with more Democrats than ever in Congress, our guys would finally show a spine. Then again, there's a reason the Republicans always accuse us of being weak. But far too often, we are. Read the rest of this post...

Save traditional marriage, outlaw divorce

Great idea. It's about time we fought back. I've long believed that we ought to put the religious right (including the Mormon bigots) and their extreme views up for a vote. But not the way they think. Take their most extreme views - like the religious right opposing divorce and the Mormon church baptizing everyone single one of us without our permission on our death (yes they do) - and offer a proposition making it the law of the land. Let's make the law outlaw divorce. And why not make it the law that everyone convert to Mormonism on their deathbed. It's what the religious and the Mormons believe, why not embrace it publicly? Read the rest of this post...

Dozens of federal judgeship openings for Obama

Yet another reason why it was critical to win. Can you imagine the long term negative impact of a Republican filling even more positions in the federal court system?

President-elect Obama will enter office with an immediate opportunity to begin shaping the federal courts by filling four dozen openings on trial and appeals courts.

Federal judges, with lifetime appointments, can be a president's most enduring legacy. President Bush receives uniformly high marks from Republicans for his selection of Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Samuel Alito.

Public attention typically is focused on the Supreme Court, where five justices are older than 70. Speculation about a possible opening centers on Justice John Paul Stevens, 88, but any retirement is unlikely before the summer, if then.

By contrast, 14 seats are open on appeals courts or will be by the end of January. Democratic appointees are a majority on one of the 13 federal appeals courts, the San Francisco-based 9th Circuit.

These are the courts that as a practical matter have the final say on everyday issues that affect millions of people because the Supreme Court accepts fewer than 2 percent of the cases appealed to the justices.

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Lieberman snubs nose at vets

I missed a story two days back, that Harry Reid had offered Joe Lieberman the chair of the Veteran's Affairs Committee. Lieberman said no, it wasn't good enough. Let me reiterate: Joe Lieberman, the Iraq war's biggest friend, thinks helping vets isn't a good enough job for someone as important as him. Nice.

But more importantly, why is Harry Reid offering Traitor Joe another committee chair? When you chair a committee it gives you access to a bigger budget and more staff with which to hold hearings and embarrass the administration. Joe Lieberman basically called President-elect Obama un-American. Why are we offering him anything? Read the rest of this post...

Obama on economy: "We don't have a moment to lose"

It's going to be interesting to watch this transition period.

Barack Obama sent a clear signal yesterday that he intends pressing President George Bush to take new and significant steps to counter the worsening economic conditions in the United States when the two men meet at the White House tomorrow.

"We don't have a moment to lose," Mr Obama said about the economic mess, making his first radio address to the nation just four days after his emphatic victory over John McCain. New figures released on Friday showed the jobless rate hitting a 14-year high of 6.5 per cent.

Mr Obama paid tribute to Mr Bush for his White House invitation, which will include a tour of the family quarters with his wife, Michelle. "This speaks to a fundamental recognition that here in America we can compete vigorously in elections and challenge each other's ideas, yet come together in service of a common purpose once the voting is done," he said.

But while the reins of power remain with Mr Bush until 20 January, Mr Obama is showing that he does not mean to sit silently on the sidelines until then. He met his panel of economic advisers on Friday in Chicago and afterwards made plain his desire to see the US Congress pass a second economic stimulus programme even before he becomes president.

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In the wake of the Democratic victories, Harry Reid is reshaping the Senate

The outcomes of the Senate races in Georgia, Alaska and Minnesota remain uncertain. In Georgia, there will be a run-off on December 2nd, because neither candidate achieved 50% of the vote. In Minnesota, it's pretty clear incumbent Norm Coleman is freaking out. We've been following this one pretty closely. The margin between Coleman and Al Franken has dropped to 221 votes, before the recount actually starts. As John reported last night, Coleman has started filing lawsuits. That's a sure sign the Republican is desperate. And, we're all waiting on Alaska, but Nate Silver's projections that Begich could pull it out were heartening.

Even while we're waiting, Harry Reid is reshaping the Senate to reflect Democratic pick-ups. This is what happens when we win big. First, the committees. Then, the real votes on real policy. From The Hill:

Senate Democratic leaders plan to cut Republican committee seats to reflect the new balance of power in the upper chamber, according to Democratic aides.

Republicans will lose at least one seat on most committees and may lose as many as two on some of the larger panels, such as the powerful Appropriations committee.

Mitch McConnell doesn't like this idea, which makes it all the better:

Don Stewart, spokesman for Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.), said Democratic and Republican leaders had not yet met to negotiate the new committee ratios. He questioned whether the Senate would automatically follow precedent on the issue.

“There’s lots of precedents for lots of things,” said Stewart. “None of that stuff is going to start until everyone is back in town and we know how many members we have.”

Here's the thing we do know, Don: There are a lot fewer Republicans in the Senate this session. Get used to it.

And, we're all waiting to hear that Lieberman lost his committee chairmanship, too. Read the rest of this post...

Sunday Talk Shows Open Thread

The president-elect's team dominates the news shows today. Rahm Emanuel makes a couple stop, as do key players in the transition. All eyes are on the new team, except at FOX. That network only has a couple of pathetic House Republicans. Let's hope this was an intentional slight from the Obama operation. There is no reason to ever send anyone to FOX News, unless it's to beat the crap out of them like Burton and Gibbs did.

Also, no surprise: No Sarah Palin. I guess we have a better idea now why she wouldn't do the Sunday shows. Africa and NAFTA questions were too hard.

Here's the lineup:

ABC's "This Week" — Rep. Rahm Emanuel, D-Ill., chief of staff to President-elect Obama.
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CBS' "Face the Nation" — Emanuel.
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NBC's "Meet the Press" — Valerie Jarrett, adviser in Obama's transition team; Sen. Mel Martinez, R-Fla.; Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C.; Doris Kearns Goodwin, presidential historian.
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CNN's "Late Edition" — Obama transition chief transition chief John Podesta; Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev.; Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, R-Calif.; Tony Blair, Middle East envoy.

"Fox News Sunday" _ Reps. Mike Pence, R-Ind., and Eric Cantor, R-Va.

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Protest opportunity in Utah Sunday night?

Reader Joe writes:

OK, I need your help,

Tonight was a wonderful Protest in Utah against the Mormon church's involvement in Prop 8. I noticed that California is having repeated protest against the Mormons.

There is a golden chance for another protest in Utah on Sunday night. President Boyd K. Packer will be speaking Sunday night at 6:30 at the Weber State University LDS Institute of Religion, in Ogden, Utah. Just google his name in connection to gay rights and he is the leading church authority pushing this issue from the inside. It would be a good rally and protest, I just need the word to get out and circulated.

PLEASE HELP!

Thank you,

Joe

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Minnesota ruling favors Franken as recount looms

Franken inches closer. From AP:

Sen. Norm Coleman has failed in an attempt to block some absentee ballots from being counted in his close race with Democrat Al Franken.

A Ramsey County judge on Saturday denied the request because of lack of jurisdiction. The incumbent Republican had tried to block 32 ballots from heavily Democratic Hennepin County.

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