Obama Pushes For Inauguration Donations
(CBS)
"I know we've asked a lot of you," Obama acknowledges in the e-mail, a reference to his unprecedented fundraising efforts during his presidential campaign.
"Just like we did on the campaign, we're relying entirely on supporters like you -- ordinary people giving whatever they can afford to make [the inauguration] an event for all Americans," the e-mail says.
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Will Obama Get To Keep His Blackberry?
(AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
But Mr. Obama has a message to those who want to take his cherished Blackberry: Not So Fast.
In an interview with CNBC's John Harwood, Mr. Obama said he's still "fighting" to keep it.
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DHS: No Credible Threat Information Targeting Inauguration
469980 The Department of Homeland Security and other federal agencies have released a bulletin reminding local law enforcement (as if it wasn't already crystal clear) that the inauguration could present an enticing target for potential terrorists.
But the bulletin states that there is currently no credible threat information related to the Jan. 20 event.
The DHS has no plans to adjust any of the national threat levels but is reminding the public to remain vigilant.
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But the bulletin states that there is currently no credible threat information related to the Jan. 20 event.
The DHS has no plans to adjust any of the national threat levels but is reminding the public to remain vigilant.
The Secret Service also announced on Wednesday that bridges connecting Northern Virginia to Washington, D.C., will be closed to most traffic on Inauguration Day and a 3.5 square miles corridor of the nation's capital will be shut off starting on Jan. 19, the day before the Inauguration. The security perimeter is larger than what has been cordoned off for previous inaugurations.
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Widespread Road Closures Announced For Inauguration
(AP Photo/Matt York)
Now the 2009 Presidential Inaugural Law Enforcement and Public Safety Public Affairs Subcommittee has announced the "joint Inaugural transportation plan," and let's just say you shouldn't plan on driving into town on January 20th.
As the release notes, somewhat understatedly, "Access into Washington, D.C. will be limited" on Inauguration Day. Consider:
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And that's just a partial list. The release goes onto list a number of road closures, parking restrictions and other hassles for those who find themselves in D.C. for the inauguration. Read it in full below.14th Street Bridge – Restricted to Buses and Authorized Vehicles Only Roosevelt Bridge – Restricted to Buses and Authorized Vehicles Only Memorial Bridge – Restricted to Pedestrians and Emergency Vehicles Only Key Bridge – Restricted to Mass Transit Only Chain Bridge - Restricted to Authorized Vehicles and Mass Transit Only, no charter buses. South Capitol Street Bridge – Restricted to Buses and Authorized Vehicles Only Southeast/Southwest Freeway – Restricted to Emergency Vehicles Only
2009 Presidential Inaugural Law Enforcement and Public Safety Public Affairs Subcommittee Announces Joint Transportation Plan
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Watch The Presidential Gathering
"I want to thank the President-elect for joining the ex-president's for lunch," President Bush welcomed former presidents Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton and his father George H. W. Bush as well as his successor Barack Obama to the Oval Office Wednesday.
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"One message that I have and that we all share is that we all want you to succeed," Mr. Bush said addressing President-elect Obama. "Whether we are Democrat or Republican we all care about this country and to the extent we can we look forward to sharing our experiences with you," he added.
"All of us who have served in his office understand taht the office itself transcends the individual," the current president explained. "We wish you all the very best and so does that country" as the two men shook hands.
As White House press wranglers struggled to end the photo opportunity, President-elect Obama broke in. "I just want to thank the president, I just want to thank the president for hosting us. This is an extraordinary gathering, all the gentlemen here understand both the pressures and the possibilities of this office. And for me to have the opportunity to get advice and good counsel, and fellowship from these individuals is extraordinary and I am very grateful to all of them. But again thank you Mr. President for hosting us."
As CBS News' Peter Maer reported, this "was the first White House meeting of current and former presidents since 1981 when Ronald Reagan asked Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter to attend the funeral of assassinated Egyptian leader Anwar Sadat."
Watch It Here:
"One message that I have and that we all share is that we all want you to succeed," Mr. Bush said addressing President-elect Obama. "Whether we are Democrat or Republican we all care about this country and to the extent we can we look forward to sharing our experiences with you," he added.
"All of us who have served in his office understand taht the office itself transcends the individual," the current president explained. "We wish you all the very best and so does that country" as the two men shook hands.
As White House press wranglers struggled to end the photo opportunity, President-elect Obama broke in. "I just want to thank the president, I just want to thank the president for hosting us. This is an extraordinary gathering, all the gentlemen here understand both the pressures and the possibilities of this office. And for me to have the opportunity to get advice and good counsel, and fellowship from these individuals is extraordinary and I am very grateful to all of them. But again thank you Mr. President for hosting us."
As CBS News' Peter Maer reported, this "was the first White House meeting of current and former presidents since 1981 when Ronald Reagan asked Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter to attend the funeral of assassinated Egyptian leader Anwar Sadat."
Obama Still Deflects Gaza Questions
(CBS)
"We can no longer afford to sustain the old ways when we know there are new and more efficient ways to getting the job done," Mr. Obama said.
The president-elect then took questions, and he was asked once again about the situation in Gaza. He reiterated the point he has made several times before that he has been briefed consistently on the matter but that he would not interfere with the current president on the matter.
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Gaza Fighting Poses Significant Challenge For Obama
As the fighting in Gaza continues and international calls for Israel to exercise restraint in its bombing campaign mount, President-elect Obama's most immediate crisis when he takes office in two weeks might not be the economy.
For the first time on Tuesday, Mr. Obama spoke publicly about the situation in Gaza.
"The loss of civilian life in Gaza and in Israel is a source of deep concern to me, and after January 20th I'm going to have plenty to say about the issue," he told reporters.
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For the first time on Tuesday, Mr. Obama spoke publicly about the situation in Gaza.
"The loss of civilian life in Gaza and in Israel is a source of deep concern to me, and after January 20th I'm going to have plenty to say about the issue," he told reporters.
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Obama To Ride In Armored Cadillac Limo On Inauguration Day
(AP)
The 2009 Cadillac Presidential Limousine has more glass area than past presidential limousines, General Motors spokesman David Caldwell told Hotsheet. Caldwell said that while there are new features to the vehicle, it is not dramatically different than past models.
"It looks different and it is different in some ways, but it's pretty subtle," he said, noting that past presidential limousines will continue to be used.
You can see photos of the vehicle at the Detroit News. We asked Caldwell for a photo to post here – the picture above is not of the new presidential limo – but he explained that the photos on the Detroit News site were taken by the vehicular equivalent of paparazzi, who snap photos of early models of cars before they are released to the general public and sell them.
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Obama "Concerned" By Gaza Casualties
President-elect Obama has largely stayed mum on the violence in Gaza, noting that there is only one president at a time. Before a meeting with his economic team today, however, Mr. Obama expressed concern for the continued civilian casualties in the war torn region.
"The loss of civilian life in Gaza and in Israel is a source of deep concern to me, and after January 20th I'm going to have plenty to say about the issue," he told reporters.
"I am not backing away at all from what I said during the campaign, that starting at the beginning of our administration, we are going to engage effectively and consistently in trying to resolve the conflicts that exist in the middle east," Mr. Obama asserted, noting the importance of U.S. national security in the issue. "I think its not only right for the people in that region, but most importantly its right for the national security of the American people and the stability that is so important to this country."
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(AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
"I am not backing away at all from what I said during the campaign, that starting at the beginning of our administration, we are going to engage effectively and consistently in trying to resolve the conflicts that exist in the middle east," Mr. Obama asserted, noting the importance of U.S. national security in the issue. "I think its not only right for the people in that region, but most importantly its right for the national security of the American people and the stability that is so important to this country."
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Biden Sworn In (As A Senator)
Vice President-elect Joe Biden was sworn as Delaware's senior senator for the 111th Congress by Vice President Dick Cheney today. The incoming vice president will obviously not serve in the Senate for the next four years -- he has previous commitments -- but he was up for re-election in 2008, won, and has yet to give up his seat.
Biden will resign the seat before Inauguration day, January 20th, 2008. Delaware's Governor Ruth Ann Minner (D) announced in late November that Ted Kaufman, a longtime Biden advisor, will replace the Vice President-elect in the Senate.
Biden was among the first group of four to be sworn in today as the 111th Congress commences.
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Biden will resign the seat before Inauguration day, January 20th, 2008. Delaware's Governor Ruth Ann Minner (D) announced in late November that Ted Kaufman, a longtime Biden advisor, will replace the Vice President-elect in the Senate.
Biden was among the first group of four to be sworn in today as the 111th Congress commences.
Watch It Here:
Obama To Host Youth Inaugural Ball
The Presidential Inaugural Committee has now released the details about all ten inaugural balls to be held on Inauguration Day, one of which is being held for the young voters who rallied around Mr. Obama during his presidential campaign.
The Youth Inaugural Ball, to be held at the Washington Hilton, is reserved for Americans between 18 and 35; tickets will cost $75, half the cost of tickets to the other balls.
There will also be regional balls – the Eastern ball, for example, is for Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Puerto Rico – and home state inaugural balls for the president and vice president-elect. (Mr. Obama's will include Illinois and Hawaii; Mr. Biden's, Delaware and Pennsylvania.)
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(AP)
There will also be regional balls – the Eastern ball, for example, is for Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Puerto Rico – and home state inaugural balls for the president and vice president-elect. (Mr. Obama's will include Illinois and Hawaii; Mr. Biden's, Delaware and Pennsylvania.)
A list of all ten balls, via the PIC, is below. For more on the neighborhood inaugural ball, see this post.
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Obama Huddles With Economic Team, Congressional Leaders
This post was written by CBS News producer Jamie Farnsworth
On his first day back in Washington, D.C., after spending the holidays in Hawaii, President-elect Obama held a meeting with this economic team before convening with leaders on Capitol Hill.
"It is clear that we have to act and we have to act now to address this crisis and break the momentum of the recession," Mr. Obama told reporters.
Mr. Obama met with his team of economic advisers, including incoming Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, Treasury Secretary-designate Timothy Geithner and Christina Romer, Director-designate Council of Economic Advisors, among others.
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On his first day back in Washington, D.C., after spending the holidays in Hawaii, President-elect Obama held a meeting with this economic team before convening with leaders on Capitol Hill.
"It is clear that we have to act and we have to act now to address this crisis and break the momentum of the recession," Mr. Obama told reporters.
Mr. Obama met with his team of economic advisers, including incoming Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, Treasury Secretary-designate Timothy Geithner and Christina Romer, Director-designate Council of Economic Advisors, among others.
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Obama Meets With Congress About Recovery Package
President-elect Barack Obama made some headway with Congressional Republicans today after a bipartisan leadership meeting to discuss a massive economic recovery package.
Republican Leader Mitch McConnell specifically praised Obama's plan to devote $300 billion of the package to tax cuts for individuals and businesses. McConnell said there would likely be "widespread Republican enthusiasm for a having a significant portion of the package on tax relief."
Republicans, however, still have objections to the package. House Minority Leader John Boehner raised concerns about the overall size of the bill, currently estimated at $675-$775 Billion. McConnell expressed his preference to loan money to states instead of giving it out. Boehner does believe that a package can pass Congress in the next six weeks.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she would not say how soon Congress would act, but she said it will be soon. Pelosi said Congress will be moved by "the sense of urgency that the American people have about their economic well-being."
Republican Leader Mitch McConnell specifically praised Obama's plan to devote $300 billion of the package to tax cuts for individuals and businesses. McConnell said there would likely be "widespread Republican enthusiasm for a having a significant portion of the package on tax relief."
Republicans, however, still have objections to the package. House Minority Leader John Boehner raised concerns about the overall size of the bill, currently estimated at $675-$775 Billion. McConnell expressed his preference to loan money to states instead of giving it out. Boehner does believe that a package can pass Congress in the next six weeks.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she would not say how soon Congress would act, but she said it will be soon. Pelosi said Congress will be moved by "the sense of urgency that the American people have about their economic well-being."
Biden To Embark On Fact-Finding Trip To Southwest Asia
(AP Photo/Cheryl Senter)
Details of the delegation's itinerary are not yet being released, for security reasons.
"The purpose of this trip is fact-finding: in the coming months both the Executive and Legislative branches will carefully review U.S. policy toward this region, and the trip will allow its participants to bring current and first-hand information to these reviews," said Biden spokeswoman Elizabeth Alexander.
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Blair Picked To Be Director of National Intelligence
(CBS)
CBS News' David Martin reported that Obama planned to tap Blair back in November. This news makes the choice official.
Blair was the commander of the U.S. Pacific Command during the Clinton administration and during the Sept. 11 attacks, and served in the Navy for 34 years.
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