Video: Senator Al Franken sworn in today

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Senator Reid welcomes Senator-Elect Franken to the Senate

When my daughter was a little girl, we'd watch so many movies with former cast members from Saturday Day Night live, and I would tell her that Eddie Murphy, or Adam Sandler or any number of others got their big start on Saturday Night Live. Eventually, she would catch me as I started to say that this person 'got his big start on ', then she would exasperatingly finish with 'I know MOM! Saturday Night Live!'

The kid is 16 now. I just told her that Minnesota has a new Senator and he got his big start on Saturday Night Live. She said you've got to be kidding? I said no. She said that is totally hilarious. I said he's a very smart guy. Very smart and he cares too, about Minnesota and this country. Comedians are generally very smart and well informed individuals. Ask any of them. That was comedy by the way.

Video: President Obama at Las Vegas Fundraiser

Burris: They like ME! Reid: I like you too Mr. Burris, but I can't call you 'Senator' just yet...

It's interesting, nay comical to watch.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Warm Fuzzies: Roland Burris tells press that Jimmy Carter thinks he will make a great Senator

I don't know about whether or not Roland Burris will make a great Senator or should be welcomed into the Senatorial club house, after being appointed by Governor Blagojevich, but I will say that he is pretty darned cute.

It's not what he says, but it is in his delivery. He doesn't look like a 71 something man. He looks like a little kid, and I think it is sweet.

I probably should be more suspicious I guess.

He just seems so tickled all over when he says this.

"This morning, I had a great meeting with Majority Leader [Harry] Reid and Majority Whip [Dick] Durbin," Burris told reporters on Wednesday. " And in that meeting we discussed quite a few things. But I had an important phone call before I went to that meeting, and that phone call was from my friend, former President of the United States, Jimmy Carter."

As Burris tells it, Carter got on the phone and said, "When you are in the Senate, Roland, you will make a great senator." source: The Huffington Post

Rut Roh or Ahhhhhh OK?: Senate Majority Leader Reid discussed vacant Illinois seat with Blagojevich in early December

This is one of those things that make you wanna say 'hmmmmmmm'. I would like to listen to the wiretap of that conversation. Interesting.

Saturday, January 03, 2009 | 12:03 PM

Reid of Nev., right, gestures while meeting reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, Feb. 7, 2008, after Senate Democrats and Republicans reached agreement on an economic stimulus package. At left is Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Ill. (AP Photo/Dennis Cook)

CHICAGO -- A spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says Reid called Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich in early December to discuss the seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama.

Reid spokesman Jim Manley says the Nevada Democrat made one call to Blagojevich on Dec. 3.

Six days later, authorities arrested Blagojevich for allegedly trying to sell Obama's seat.

Manley couldn't immediately provide other details. source: ABC 7 News Chicago

The Audacity of the Corporate CEO: Merrill Lynch CEO wants his money to the tune of 10 Million

Update: Sunday, January 25, 2008 - See also 'The Friggin' Bastard Chronicles' featuring TPM time line of John Thain's most audacious moments.

The Wall Street Journal is reporting that John Thain, CEO of Merrill Lynch wants a great big fat bonus because Thain believes the company (that got bailed out by the TARP legislation) would have been in much worse shape had it not been for his leadership.

Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah

Alternet calls it "disgusting" and further reports that the fearless Democratic party leader of the Senate had this to say about that.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has released a statement regarding Thain's "chutzbah" in asking for the money.

via The Hill:

"The TARP program, from which Merrill Lynch has taken billions of taxpayer dollars, was designed explicitly to limit executive compensation, bonuses and golden parachutes. While American families struggle to keep their jobs and their homes, I question the chutzpah of asking for a $10 million taxpayer-subsidized bonus. Americans deciding which bills to pay this month just to make ends meet do not want their hard-earned money even indirectly spent rewarding executives from banks that are largely responsible for the economic crisis. I sincerely hope that Merrill Lynch rejects this request." Source: Alternet

I'd like to ask Mr. Thain, "What's in your wallet?" because for many Americans the answer is not a whole helluva lot.

I worked for a large company for 20 years. When times were bad, for whatever reason, we did not receive bonuses, raises were smaller or not given at all. Why does this not apply to corporate CEOs? It should. It must, even it has absolutely nothing to do with taxpayer dollars.

It's obscene and ridiculous not to mention fundamentally unfair.

I hope that Majority Leader Reid follows up on this issue because 'I sincerely hope' has to be followed by sincere consequences should Merrill Lynch cut an outrageous check to this guy.

Merry Christmas American taxpayers.

Update:

Thain exercises good sense but not without pressure. It still counts.

Mr Thain, who guided the investment bank to a merger with Bank of America (BoA) just hours before Lehman Brothers collapsed in September, on Monday night told the board that his decision not to take a bonus was appropriate "given current economic and market conditions".

In a statement from the bank, Merrill said that Mr Thain would be joined by four other senior Merrill managers – including President Greg Fleming and chief financial officer Nelson Chai – in relinquishing their rights to a bonus for this year.

However the statement came after a day of criticism, following a report that Mr Thain had let it be known to the board’s compensation committee that he deserved a $5-$10m bonus.

The report suggested that he felt he had earned the money for helping to secure a future for Merrill, something which rivals at other firms, such as Lehman, failed to do. source: Telegraph UK

United States Senate could intervene in Minneosta Senatorial Race recount between incumbent Norm Coleman and challenger Al Franken

From Democratic Underground

Source: United Press International

Analyst: Senate may decide Minn. election
Published: Nov. 29, 2008 at 2:45 PM

ST. PAUL, Minn., Nov. 29 (UPI) -- A statement by U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., makes it more likely the Senate could intervene in a Minnesota election, an analyst says.

The Minnesota U.S. Senate contest between incumbent Republican Norm Coleman and Democratic challenger Al Franken is undergoing a recount, with the candidates separated by less than 300 votes out of 2.9 million cast. But a controversial decision by the state's Elections Canvassing Board could end up throwing the election into the lap of the Senate itself, a scholar told Minnesota Public Radio.

"Ultimately, the Senate has complete authority to determine who was elected," Washington University political scientist Steven Smith told the broadcaster, citing the canvassing board's decision this week to disallow disputed absentee ballots that Franken had urged be counted.

The board's move was "a cause for great concern," Reid said this week, and those comments may indicate his willingness to start a Senate investigation of the Minnesota recount, Smith said. And if so, it's possible that Franken's argument regarding rejected absentee ballots could be reconsidered by U.S. senators. read more here

Senator Ted Stevens (R-AK) - Best Wishes and Farewell from the Senate Floor

It's a mad, mad, mad, mad world.

Today, Ted Stevens — Alaska’s defeated Republican senator and a convicted felon — was granted time on the Senate floor to deliver his farewell speech. Stevens said that he still can’t believe that he’s “privileged to speak on the floor of the United States Senate.” He also added that he “doesn’t have a rear-view mirror. I look only forward, and I still see the day when I can remove the cloud that currently surrounds me.”

Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) then took the floor and said farewell to his “distinguished colleague.” Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who had previously called for Stevens’s resignation, recalled the longest-serving Republican’s “extraordinary accomplishments.” Watch it:

Matt Yglesias writes: “I cannot believe that (a) Ted Stevens got a standing ovation from his fellow senators, and (b) Harry Reid is now delivering an ode to him. I mean, the man’s a criminal. Senatorial courtesy is a really bizarre institution.” Think Progress

Team Obama, Harry Ried and the Lieberman Conundrum

Spokesperson Stephanie Cutter of the Obama Transition team has corresponded with TPM and indicated that President-Elect Barack Obama and the team holds no grudges against Joe Lieberman for his support of John McCain and Lieberman's negative attacks against Obama during the campaign season.

Greg Sargent shares his opinion and those of others.

My take: By taking no position, Obama is in effect throwing the decision over to Senator Harry Reid, making it possible for the Senate to take action against Lieberman. But his statement -- paradoxically -- could also give cover to those who want to do nothing about him, making it easier for him to hang on to the post.

First, a bit of opinion from around the web: Steve Benen says that the statement is "deliberately vague," throwing the decision over to "the caucus and its leadership." Glenn Greenwald argues more broadly that the decision properly belongs to the Senate, and not Obama, in any case.

And Jane Hamsher notes that Senate leaders Dick Durbin and Chuck Schumer may have privately signaled that they want Lieberman given the push, which could bode ill for him.

But John Aravosis argues that it shows Obama is "still making nice" to Joe and fuels the meta-message that Dems "don't like to fight." And MyDD's Josh Orton points out that Obama's statement, by including the line about not holding "grudges," helps Lieberman frame the argument as one that's all about retribution against poor old Joe. for TPM source - click here

My take is that Barack Obama wants to get 'stuff' done. I like it when he uses the word 'stuff'. Excellent. I've heard him say 'get stuff done' on more the one occasion. I also believe, political or not, Chicago politician or not, he is the type of person who doesn't believe in revenge or retribution, evening political scores etc. I suspect he looks upon those types of mental activities as wasted time and energy when there is so much to accomplish.

I don't see him as the kind of person who seeks to micromanage the Senate. That is a good thing. I am looking for someone who respects the branches of government and intends to work with Congress, and believes that the collaborative effort between the branches will yield good legislation and not just a bunch of crap.

As for Lieberman's position as the chair of the Homeland Security committee, Senate Democrats need to act like leaders and make a decision. Lieberman has not behaved like a Democrat lately.

It's one thing to take a stand on the war issue in opposition to the party. I can respect that without agreeing with it. It's an entirely different matter to campaign against the party's candidate for President, and use language that attempts to scare people into voting against the Democratic candidate.

It's not a matter of forgiveness, retribution or revenge. If Lieberman earned the position of Chair of Homeland Security in the Democratic Party, he 'unearned' it during the election cycle.

If Lieberman who appeared to be so afraid of Barack Obama becoming the leader of the free world that he felt compelled to speak at the Republican Convention and against Barack Obama during the campaign, then he shouldn't represent the Democratic Party by Chairing a Committee.

Cliche` Time: Biting the hand that feeds you. Having your cake and eating it too.

When President-Elect Obama takes the Oath of Office he will no longer be a Senator, but will need every vote he can get. The Senate Democrats need to take responsibility for themselves and follow Obama's lead and get stuff done. I know it sometimes comes down to one vote, but if Lieberman is as principled as he says he is, he will vote with the Democrats on issues he believes in, even if he is denied a Chairmanship.

If he doesn't then we will know what he is. It's unfortunate that Joe Lieberman has been so long in the Senate that he should be required to take a hit and earn his stripes again. He did it. Nobody did it for him.

Just so you know, I know how naive` I am. I know it and I like it.

Harry Reid on Joe Lieberman's fate and the Democratic Caucus

To tell you the truth, I don't know what anybody should do with Joe Lieberman. The whole thing just downright confuses me. I'm not one for blind loyalty after what we have seen in the last eight years, so in that sense I can respect Joe Lieberman for standing on his own for something he believes in.

I am however, of the extraordinarily strong opinion that Lieberman was on the wrong side of the Iraq war issue. His ardent and unchanging defense and support of the war and it's continuance, along with the candidacy of John McCain because of the issues of war and national security, illustrates to me that he is clearly in favor of blatantly and unabashedly lying and manipulating the American public and electorate into war.

That doesn't sit well with me. Not at all.

Our security is not defended simply by bombs and bullets. Our national security has been severely diminished as evidenced by the economic insecurity today, which has thereby affected the entire globe.

Many people have said, including Barack Obama and Joe Biden, that the eye was taken off the ball in Afghanistan. I submit that the eye was taken off many urgent matters that affect our society and the world because of the blunder of invading Iraq. I also realize that I am not the only one who has had this thought.

Where does that leave Joe Lieberman and the Democrats? Hell if I know. I'm glad I'm not 'The Decider'.

In the meantime, Harry Reid is trying to sort it out between Lieberman and the Democratic Caucus. Good luck with that one.

Think Progress has this on that:

On CNN’s Late Edition, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) said he recognizes what Joe Lieberman said and did during the campaign was “wrong” and “improper,” telling host John King, “if we weren’t on television, I’d use a stronger word of describing what he did.” But he added, “Joe Lieberman is not some right-wing nutcase, Joe Lieberman is one of the most progressive people ever to come from the state of Connecticut.” Watch it:

for TP source - click here

Texas and Nevada: Obama the 'Fighter' - Wooster High School & T. Boone Pickens

NORTHERN NEVADA VISIT: Obama: Rival just more Bush

Democratic candidate says McCain can't defend record

By SEAN WHALEY
REVIEW-JOURNAL CAPITAL BUREAU

RENO -- Sen. Barack Obama told a small crowd of supporters here Sunday that he offers real solutions to the nation's economic woes while his opponent is pushing the same tired agenda of President Bush.

Obama, D-Ill, the presumptive Democratic nominee for president, said Sen. John McCain is trying to make the campaign about Obama and his experience because the Arizona Republican's own record is one of supporting Bush's failed economic and foreign policies.

"No wonder they want to make the election about me," he said. "They don't want to be talking about their record because they can't defend it. So don't get fooled by Paris, Britney and nasty e-mails folks are sending out. This election is about you. It's about us."

Obama was referring to one of McCain's ads associating Obama with the two celebrities in an effort to raise questions about his qualifications to serve as president.

Obama made his comments to about 250 invited supporters at Wooster High School. The day before, he and McCain appeared at a faith forum at a California megachurch, where they briefly hugged.

Sunday's visit was Obama's first to Nevada since a trip to North Las Vegas in late May, before he locked in the Democratic nomination for president.

His last visit to Northern Nevada was in January, before the presidential caucuses.

Earlier in the day, he met with Texas oilman T. Boone Pickens to discuss strategies for developing alternative energy. Pickens has criticized the country's dependence on oil and is pushing the development of alternative energies.

The McCain campaign again raised the question of whether voters view Obama as someone who is "ready to lead," given his personal popularity but his "inability to close the deal" in the polls either in Nevada or nationally.

Voters do not appear to have the same doubts about McCain, said campaign spokesman Mike DuHaime.

Obama highlighted the differences between his and McCain's positions on taxes and the development of alternative energy.

Obama said his tax plan provides breaks to 95 percent of Americans, while McCain's plan would give breaks to the wealthy and to corporations.

"He's giving $300 billion tax breaks to corporations including oil companies like Exxon Mobil that have made record profits every quarter for the past three quarters," he said.

"John McCain and I both have a tax plan, but I benefit the middle class and working families and he is benefiting the same corporations that have been making out like bandits under the Bush administration."

Obama also said he wants to commit $15 billion a year to developing new sources of energy. This would reduce the country's dependence on foreign oil and create "5 million new green jobs" that could not be outsourced to other counties.

"We've got a lot of sun here in Nevada," Obama said. "And we can use that to generate energy and free ourselves from dependence on foreign oil.

"Here in Nevada, we should have solar panels all throughout the state, everywhere," he said, his remarks heralding today's energy summit in Las Vegas organized by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.

Obama said McCain is talking about the need to produce alternative energy sources, but his track record shows the opposite.

McCain has in the past opposed tax credits needed for companies to invest in solar power, he said.

McCain also opposed improving fuel efficiency standards for U.S. vehicles.

"And then he's got the nerve to stand up there on television and talk about how he believes in alternative energy," Obama said. "It's just not true."

In a telephone conference call after Obama's visit, DuHaime said the Illinois senator is offering up only rhetoric on the energy question, while McCain wants all options on the table for discussion.

McCain is taking a "futuristic" approach to the issue while Obama's approach is to attack, DuHaime said.

During his hourlong event, Obama also rejected a criticism from McCain that his economic and tax polices would harm the nation.

"I've got news for John McCain," Obama said. "My plan is not going to bring about economic disaster. We already have economic disaster."

What the country does not need is another four years of failed Bush policies, he said.

for source - click here

Activist Peon: GOP needs to confer with Liberals and Progressives before planning 'Activist' activities to make a point on Capitol Hill

Oil Man Inhofe Leads Political Stunt To Misdeliver Gas Receipts

From Michelle Malkin, “Several Republican members of Congress are asking constituents to send in their gas receipts” to be presented to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA). The leader of this campaign is notorious global-warming denier, oil-industry apologist, and false populist Jim Inhofe (R-OK), who has received over one million dollars in lifetime contributions from the oil and gas industry:

Please mail me your gas receipts and a short note about what your family has had to sacrifice because of out-of-control prices at the pump. I’ll bundle together all the receipts and stories I receive and send them to Senator Reid. Together, we will send a message to Washington and show Harry Reid that high gas prices are hurting Oklahomans. read more here