Let's antagonize the G&L crowd

Obama sends message with Warren invitation

Selecting the evangelical pastor to deliver the inaugural invocation upsets gay-rights supporters

BY MARY RAE BRAGG TH STAFF WRITER

The interest and opinions surrounding Barack Obama's choices for his new administration make for great political chatter, but none more interesting than his selection of Pastor Rick Warren to deliver the inaugural invocation.

Warren, founder of the evangelical Saddleback Church, in Lake Forest, Calif., and author of the best-selling nonfiction "The Purpose Driven Life," hosted a televised forum featuring Obama and the Republican nominee John McCain during the presidential campaign.

Known for urging his followers to address social issues such as poverty, disease and global warming, Warren also supports traditional evangelical positions on abortion and gay marriage, most recently calling for passage of California's Proposition 8 that outlaws marriage between homosexuals.

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Smart move, reach out to a large portion of the GOP base to have them think maybe you might be on their side while at the same time letting the GLAD crowd you aren't going to bend over for them each time they start to whine. Make you look inclusive but only by slightly excluding some.

Scandal Meter:

2 of 10 (sorry but pissed off constituents at the expense of sucking up to fundies merits something)

Dirty Deals from Illinois

Blagojevich arrested on federal charges

December 9, 2008 at 2:11 PM - Chicagobreakingnews.com

Gov. Rod Blagojevich and his chief of staff, John Harris, were arrested today by FBI agents for what U.S. Atty. Patrick Fitzgerald called a "staggering" level of corruption involving pay-to-play politics in Illinois' top office.

Blagojevich is accused of a wide-ranging criminal conspiracy, including alleged attempts by the governor to try to sell or trade the U.S. Senate seat left vacant by President-elect Barack Obama in exchange for financial benefits for the governor and his wife. Blagojevich also is accused of obtaining campaign contributions in exchange for other official actions.

Blagojevich was taken into federal custody at his North Side home this morning--one day shy of his 52nd birthday.

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Christmas comes early! After living in Chicago for more than 8 years, it is not suprising to find out when they are dirty, 44 has to be one of the cleanest to have made it out of there since Abe. GOP/DEM...they are all crooked as Capone but it doesn't get sweeter than this. Blago, who knew he was under investigation, was thicker than Gary Hart. I am just glad this means that JJJ, no not Jay Jonah Jameson, won't get the post.

Scandal Meter:

44 - 5 of 10 | Though he's not directly involved, 44's chief of staff took the concressional seat of the governor, and it's his senate seat...there's going to be a link.

Chicago Dems : 2 of 10 | Come on, this is nothing in their slime pit

Barack Obama Elected President

Congratulations!

Scandal meter: 0 of 10
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Barack Obama Elected President

In a historic victory, the Illinois senator becomes the first African-American to win the presidency

By Kenneth T. Walsh US NEWS and WORLD REPORT

Posted November 4, 2008

Barack Obama has been elected the 44th president of the United States—the first time an African-American has won the nation's highest office and the rare occasion where a newcomer to national politics has captured the White House on his first try.

Obama easily won the 270 electoral votes needed for victory. He held all the states won by Democrat John Kerry in 2004, including the megastates of New York and California, but also carried several swing states that went Republican four years ago, including Ohio, Florida, Virginia, and New Mexico. His opponent, Republican Senator John McCain conceded defeat in a speech to supporters in Arizona.

Obama, a freshman senator from Illinois, will become the fifth youngest president ever, at 47. He was propelled by a huge public desire for change and deep anxiety about the ongoing economic crisis. Obama also capitalized on the intense unpopularity of President Bush by tying GOP nominee John McCain to Bush's Republican policies, especially on the economy.

In early September, the race seemed very close as many voters expressed concern about Obama's inexperience, especially on national-security issues, and his liberal views. But the meltdown on Wall Street and in the financial markets changed the dynamic. Voters decided that McCain's conservative approach had been tried and it failed. And they opted for the newcomer who advocated more activist government and has pledged a relentless commitment to improving the life of the middle class.

The campaign was historic in several ways. Not only did it result in the election of a black president in a country that has a history of slavery and segregation; it also resulted in the election of the second Catholic on a major-party ticket in Vice President-elect Joe Biden of Delaware. (The first Catholic was President John F. Kennedy, elected in 1960.) Further, the campaign featured the first woman vice presidential candidate for the GOP in Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.

And the initial analysis of exit polls indicated that young people, African-Americans, and new voters turned out in huge numbers.