Political Hotsheet
Jan 16, 4:38PM
By Charles Wolfson / 32 comments

Rice Says Goodbye To State Department

This post was written by CBS News State Department Reporter Charles Wolfson.

(AP)
Condoleezza Rice has been telling people for months that the Bush administration would sprint to the finish – and she kept her word.

Rice spent part of her last day as America's chief diplomat meeting Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and talking about ways to arrange a cease fire in Gaza. The two colleagues, who are also friends, then signed a Memorandum of Understanding designed to prevent Hamas from being rearmed.

Rice then made her final public appearance as America's chief diplomat, speaking to about a thousand State Department employees gathered to hear her farewell remarks. The secretary of state was greeted enthusiastically as she recalled her brief stint as an intern in the building several decades ago.

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Jan 16, 1:54PM
By Mark Knoller / 6 comments

Curtain Comes Down on Dana Perino's White House Briefings

This post was written by CBS News White House Correspondent Mark Knoller.

(AP)
It was standing room only in the White House briefing room today as Press Secretary Dana Perino conducted her final session for reporters.

And by design, there was more laughter than news.

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Jan 16, 12:39PM
By Robert Hendin / 1 Comment

Obama Hits Ohio

(CBS)
BEDFORD HEIGHTS, OHIO - Barack Obama began his last trip as president-elect this morning on a cold tarmac in Washington. When he landed an hour later in Cleveland, it was colder and snowier, as ice and snow were packed down on the runway. Obama got off the plane and made a b-line -- not to the warm car, but to shake the hands of some of the ground crew who greeted the plane. Once in the car, it was off to Bedford Heights, Ohio and a metal bolt plant.

(AP)
The ride was uneventful as the street closures and police at every interception made you realize that, in only a few days now, this man would be the leader of the free world. Even with temperatures in the low teens, if that, many wellwishers lined the streets to wave and snap pictures with their cell phones. Testing their mettle to handle the cold, people were lined up for miles, though some appeared only to be enjoying a cigarette break. Members of the press traveling with the president-elect even noticed a person holding a sign asking about the availability of a spare inauguration ticket.

Even in the plant, which Obama toured before speaking, the cold is inescapable. The factory makes large bolts and fasteners that have a variety of industrial uses, including, voila, wind turbines. Thus the purpose of today's visit to frozen Ohio: to talk about clean energy and clean energy jobs. In a factory floor filled with bins of bolts, Obama will soon speak to a few hundred workers and guests. He's going to talk about his economic recovery plan, known as the stimulus, that Congressional Democrats unveiled yesterday to the tune of $825 Billion. Of that, $32 billion is slated to "transform the nation's energy transmission" and $20 billion more for renewable energy tax cuts. This company may do well with that investment.

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Jan 16, 9:10AM
By Kevin Hechtkopf / Add Comment

Check Out Our Updated Inauguration Map, Schedule


Complete Inaugural Coverage


We just want to take this opportunity to let you know that we've updated our Inauguration schedule and map with the events coming up this weekend.

(Pete Souza)
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Jan 15, 8:20PM
By Michelle Levi / 49 comments

Did Obama Skip Bush's Speech?

(CBS)
As his predecessor, President Bush, said his final goodbyes to America on national television, President-elect Barack Obama and his wife Michelle dined at the DC restaurant, Equinox Thursday night.

CBS News' Maria Gavrilovic, who waited outside the restaurant, reports that there is no indication whether or not Mr. Obama was watching President Bush's farewell remarks.

The President-elect departed the Blair house, located right across the street from the White House podium from which the president spoke, minutes before President Bush commenced.

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Jan 15, 5:01PM
By Brian Montopoli / 1 Comment

Questions Surround Some Obama Cabinet Picks

(CBS/ AP)
With five days until President-elect Barack Obama's swearing in, the vast majority of his Cabinet picks have now faced relatively smooth confirmation hearings.

Four of Mr. Obama's choices had hearings today: Homeland Security nominee Janet Napolitano, U.N. Secretary pick Susan Rice, Interior Secretary designee Ken Salazar, and Attorney General designee Eric Holder. Of the four, only Holder faced tough questions, and he still appears to be on the path to confirmation. (See Andrew Cohen's dispatches for more on the Holder hearing.)

Still, there are cabinet picks whose hearings have yet to come, and their status demonstrates how the confirmation process has not gone as smoothly as Mr. Obama had hoped. There have not been hearings for the president-elect's Commerce pick, for starters, because he no longer has one: New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson withdrew from consideration over an ongoing grand jury investigation, and Mr. Obama has yet to name a replacement.

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Jan 15, 4:33PM
By Stephen Smith / 3 comments

Obama To Daughters: I Ran "For You"

4698693When Barack Obama declared his candidacy for president, he knew he had to fix a brewing economic crisis, confront war zones around the world and restore the nation's sagging reputation.

But apparently those were not the driving forces behind his White House run. That distinction goes to his daughters.

In an open letter to Sasha and Malia Obama, the president-elect declares: "I ran for President… because of what I want for you and for every child in this nation."

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Jan 15, 3:11PM
By Brian Montopoli / 1 Comment

Jack Johnson, Dead Playing Inaugural Balls


Complete Inaugural Coverage


(AP Photo/Lucy Pemoni)
The Presidential Inaugural Committee has announced who will be performing at the Inaugural Balls, and once again the talent lineup is impressive: Among the performers are Marc Anthony, James Taylor, The Dead, Jack Johnson, Common, Maroon 5, and Sheryl Crow.

"The talent we have selected reflects the diverse musical traditions of our nations, truly making this 'America's Inaugural,'" said PIC Executive Director Emmett S. Beliveau.

More performers will be announced in coming days. Check out the full list – broken up by who is playing which ball – below.

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Jan 15, 12:35PM
By Steve Chaggaris / 1 Comment

Biden's Reminiscent Goodbye To The Senate

From CBS News' Director of Political Coverage Steve Chaggaris

With so much going on in the nation's capital today that looks forward – confirmation hearings, economic stimulus negotiations, inaugural planning – it's all too easy to overlook the history made in the Senate today.

Vice President-elect Joe Biden, who officially stepped down from his Senate seat today after 36 years (the 12th longest-serving Senator in U.S. history, tied with former Sens. Warren Magnuson, D-Wash., and Claiborne Pell, D-R.I., who died earlier this month), took to the floor of the Senate to deliver a "farewell" to his colleagues (Biden will still spend some time in the Senate; one of the Constitutional duties of the VP is to serve as President of the Senate).

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Jan 14, 8:28PM
1 Comment

CBS News Exclusive: Obama On Gaza, Geithner And The Economy

In an exclusive interview with CBS Evening News Anchor Katie Couric, President-elect Barack Obama talked about key issues facing his administration from day one – including the crisis in Gaza, the confirmation of Treasury Secretary designee Timothy Geithner and his plans for the economy.


Jan 14, 5:43PM
By Michelle Levi / Add Comment

Senate Goodbyes Thursday

(AP Photo/B.K.Bangash)
President Bush is not the only person saying goodbye to an old job Thursday: Vice President-elect Biden will deliver farewell remarks on the Senate floor at 10am E.T. The senior senator from Delaware's resignation will be effective at 5pm tomorrow; he has served in the US Senate for thirty-six years.

Secretary of State designate Hillary Rodham Clinton will also say goodbye Thursday, at 11am E.T. on the Senate floor. She has served as the junior senator from New York since 2001.

And it's in with the new out with the old: CBS News' John Nolen reports that Senate appointee Roland Burris will be sworn in as the junior senator from Illinois at 2pm E.T. Thursday.
Jan 14, 4:57PM
By Christine Lagorio / 3 comments

Sneak Peek: Exclusive Obama Interview

(CBS)
In an exclusive interview earlier today, CBS News anchor Katie Couric asked President-elect Barack Obama about the questions surrounding his pick for Treasury chief, Timothy Geithner, as well as how he'll work with Congress as president. Also: What did Mr. Obama say would be his No. 1 priority as president? And what was his reaction to the purported bin Laden tape?

What follows is excerpts from the interview (and a short video clip) – but be sure to watch the CBS Evening News tonight for more.
Katie Couric: A new Osama bin Laden tape was released. And in it he taunted President Bush.

President-elect Barack Obama: Right.

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Jan 14, 4:16PM
By Brian Montopoli / Add Comment

Inside The Inauguration Ceremony And Parade Rehearsal


Complete Inaugural Coverage


C-SPAN has posted a nice video providing a behind the scenes look at the run-through for the inauguration ceremony and parade. See the "president" be sworn in below (the speech he offers is probably shorter than what we'll be hearing Monday):

Jan 14, 3:35PM
By Michelle Levi / 20 comments

Obama's New Ride Unveiled


Complete Inaugural Coverage

The latest member of the secret service fleet, a new presidential limousine, will make its debut on Inauguration day. The limosine will transport President-elect Barack Obama along his Inaugural parade route.

(United States Secret Service )
"The 2009 presidential limousine provides the Secret Service with a valuable asset in accomplishing its protective mission by affording its occupants the highest level of protection," a statement from the United States Department of Homeland Security read.

As CBS News reported, the 2009 Cadillac Presidential Limosine has run-flat tires, a sealed interior to ward off a chemical attack and more bulletproof glass area than past presidential limosines.

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Jan 14, 2:57PM
By Michelle Levi / 1 Comment

Official Obama Portrait Revealed

(Pete Souza)
The presidential transition office released an official portrait of Barack Obama today. The photograph was taken by newly announced White House photographer Pete Souza. It is the first time that an official presidential portrait was taken with a digital camera, the office reports.