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'I, Barack Hussein Obama, Do Solemnly Swear...'

The President-elect didn't like to be referred to as "BHO," preferring "BO," believe it or not. Such was the sensitivity surrounding his Muslim middle name. (You may recall our blog post "Obama Distances Self from Own Middle Initial." As far...

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November 30, 2008 in Obama, Barack | Permalink | User Comments (66)

Obama's Big Test on Education

My former Washington City Paper colleague Amanda Ripley has a cover story in this week's TIME about the DC chancellor of schools Michelle Rhee, who "has promised to make Washington the highest-performing urban school district in the nation, a prospect...

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November 30, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (70)

Bill Clinton's New Rules

According to people familiar with negotiations between the Obama and Clinton camps, here are the general rules going forward for the former president, as his wife prepares to become the next Secretary of State. Both at the request of President-elect...

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November 29, 2008 in Clinton, Hillary | Permalink | User Comments (46)

Obama's National Security Team to be Named Monday

ABC News can report that on Monday morning in Chicago, President-elect Obama will officially announce some key members of his national security team, many of whom will be in attendance. Pending Senate confirmation, the President-elect's national security team will include:...

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November 29, 2008 in Obama, Barack | Permalink | User Comments (90)

The Return of Samantha Power

An eagle-eyed AP writer caught the fact that Samantha Power -- the highly acclaimed, Pulitzer prize-winning Harvard professor booted from the Obama campaign in March for calling Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-NY, a "monster" in an interview with the Scotsman newspaper...

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November 28, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (77)

The 'One-Mistake Rule'

In an interview with Bloomberg News, Obama Transition Team co-chair John Podesta was asked about President-elect Obama’s nominee to be attorney general, Eric Holder, and his role in the Marc Rich pardon. "In my judgment, it was a mistake," said...

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November 28, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (48)

Thanksgiving 2008

I'm sitting here in Kansas City with my wife, baby, and in-laws. Alice, 15 months, is eating toast, sitting on my lap. Grandpa just asked Grandma what the name of the green muppet in the trash can is. (Oscar.) We're...

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November 28, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (35)

Cabinet Thoughts

Writing at Slate, Fred Kaplan likes the idea of PEBO keeping on Defense Secretary Robert Gates -- "the move is a stroke of brilliance—politically and substantively," Kaplan writes. "In his nearly two years at the helm of the Pentagon," Kaplan...

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November 27, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (14)

Obama Sends Condolences to Families of American Victims in Mumbai

President-elect Barack Obama and wife Michelle released a statement on Friday, expressing their sympathies for the American victims of the terrorist attacks in Mumbai. "Michelle and I send our deepest condolences to the loved ones of the American citizens who...

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November 27, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (60)

Obama on Thanksgiving: 'A New and Brighter Day Is Yet To Come'

ABC News’ Matt Jaffe reports from Chicago: The day after President-elect Barack Obama wrapped up his third press conference on the economy in as many days, he acknowledged on Thanksgiving that "times are tough" for the country, but harkened back...

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November 27, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (61)