Remembering Those Who Left Us In 2008

It was a year of political firsts and of financial lasts, one that many people are glad to see end. With just two more weeks or so before the inauguration, Barack Obama's to-do list is enormous.

But before we look ahead to what's in store for 2009, a look back at 2008, remembering those voices in the world of politics we lost. Among the departed are two Democratic members of the House: Stephanie Tubbs Jones, the first black congresswoman from Ohio, and Tom Lantos of California, the first Holocaust survivor elected to Congress. Hamilton Jordan helped elect a president, while Mark Felt helped take one down. The conservative movement lost an early voice (William F. Buckley), a no-nonsense senator (Jesse Helms), and one who left journalism for government (Tony Snow). Charlton Heston defended the gun lobby while Howard Metzenbaum fought it. Three members of Richard Nixon's "Enemies List" -- Paul Newman, Stewart Mott and Ed Guthman -- left us as well. As did President Truman's daughter and Obama's grandmother.

Presented here is a chronological list of those who died last year. It doesn't claim to be complete, but it includes many of those who made our lives more interesting and the world a better place.

Continue reading "Remembering Those Who Left Us In 2008" »

3:03 PM ET | 01-05-2009 | permalink

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On This Day In 1967

Jan. 5, 1967:

Rep. Adam Clayton Powell (D-NY), who chairs the Education and Labor Committee, says that the attempt by the House to strip him of his seniority or chairmanship or remove him from office altogether is "motivated by the desire to politically castrate one of America's most powerful Negroes of his power." Powell is accused of financial improprieties.

Today in Campaign History becomes a daily feature, starting, um, today.

2:20 PM ET | 01-05-2009 | permalink

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Truth Or Consequences: Bill Richardson Withdraws As Commerce Designee

The obvious question: Where was the vetting of Bill Richardson, since there have long been reports about a "pay to play" scheme in New Mexico, questions about how a financial investment firm won a state contract shortly after making contributions to Richardson's political action committees. A grand jury has been on this for months. Richardson's former chief of staff, David Harris, was interviewed by the FBI last summer.

Trip Jennings writes in The New Mexico Independent that Richardson informed the Obama transition team about the federal investigation prior to his being named by Obama last month. But it's not that simple:

There is no indication that the probe will end soon. In fact, the federal grand jury asked to review evidence in the case during 2008 has been released from its duty, meaning a new grand jury empaneled this year must take up the case all over again, including witness testimony. And that could mean a drawn-out inquiry.

The surprising but shouldn't-have-been-surprising action: Richardson withdrew yesterday as President-elect Obama's choice for secretary of commerce. The New Mexico governor said he feared the investigation could prove to be a distraction to Obama and his new team. He denied any wrongdoing and said he would stay on as governor. (He is term-limited and cannot run again in 2010.) With "pay to play" coming under major scrutiny in Illinois -- albeit a bit late -- there was no way the new administration was going to allow a potential scandal to explode in its infancy. (For the record, no one is suggesting Richardson is a target of the investigation. But the investigation will no doubt look to what, if anything, the governor's office knew or did regarding the contributions and subsequent contract.)

The details: CDR Financial Products, based in California, made at least $110,000 in political contributions to Richardson's PACs. Not long after, it received a $1.48 million contract to work with the state. Coincidence? Absolutely.

Did he jump, or was he pushed? No one knows for sure. According to the New York Times' Sheryl Gay Stolberg:

Mr. Obama did not ask Mr. Richardson to step aside, associates close to both men said. But when Mr. Richardson offered to withdraw, the officials said, Mr. Obama simply accepted, without trying to persuade Mr. Richardson otherwise.

Now what: Richardson has to deal with the $450 million budget shortfall. It's one thing to travel the world's hot spots, meeting with world leaders. It's another banging heads with state legislators in Santa Fe.

Not so fast: Lt. Gov. Diane Denish (D) was measuring the drapes in the governor's office, having already named a transition team. She was long planning to run in 2010, but now it's unlikely she'll do so as an incumbent governor. Unless the investigation clears Richardson and he gets another administration post. Or unless there's more to the Richardson investigation than we know.

The next secretary of commerce? Some of the names suggested are those who were thought to be finalists for other Cabinet positions, such as Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm, Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius or Rep. Xavier Becerra of California. But the betting is that Obama could pick someone completely new out of the hat. (With Richardson gone, Latino groups may renew their lobbying efforts on behalf of Becerra.)

Gone but not forgotten: Other administration would-have-beens-but-never-were include Linda Chavez, President Bush's choice for labor secretary; Zoe Baird and Kimba Wood, President Clinton's choices for attorney general; and Theodore Sorensen, President Carter's choice to head up the CIA.

1:01 PM ET | 01-05-2009 | permalink

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Today In Political Junkie (LOTS To Talk About!)

Back from a week's absence, today's Political Junkie brings you:

-- Bill Richardson withdraws: Obama gets his first embarrassment. It may be more than just embarrassing for Bill.

-- Illinois Senate: Did Blagojevich really name a Senate successor to Obama while we were on vacation? What was he thinking?? The latest on Roland Burris' chances to get confirmed.

-- Colorado Senate: Gov. Ritter has his say, and it's Bennet for the Senate. Not every Colorado Democrat is thrilled.

-- Minnesota Senate: Schumer says it's time for Franken to be sworn in. Not so fast, says GOP. So much for the era of post-partisanship in Washington.

-- This Day In Campaign History: A new daily feature starts today.

-- Fan mail from those who missed the Junkie blog: I'm kidding. Nobody wrote.

-- 2008 Obits: Our special feature on those in the political world who left us last year.

Welcome to 2009. I hope everyone had a healthy, safe and wonderful New Year's!

7:55 AM ET | 01-05-2009 | permalink

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The Political Junkie Will Return In 2009

It was a remarkable, unpredictable, topsy-turvy year, not the least of which is that, for the first time in history, the U.S. has elected a president born in Hawaii.

I will be pondering that one all week, along with writing up my New Year's resolutions and plotting new things to bring to this column (oops, "blog"). Any thoughts, comments, ideas, criticism or cash, send them my way at politicaljunkie@npr.org.

The Political Junkie returns on Monday, Jan. 5, 2009. Wishing everyone a safe, healthy and Happy New Year!

Ken Rudin

(or, as my Camp Lokanda friends on Facebook call me, "Kenny Rudin")

10:15 AM ET | 12-29-2008 | permalink

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Update: Those Still Unfilled/ Undecided Senate Seats

Well, I checked under the tree yesterday, and there were still no Senate replacements in Illinois, New York or Colorado, and still no winner in Minnesota.

Disappointed, I went out and saw The Curious Case of Benjamin Button -- and came away even more disappointed. This had nothing to do with campaign buttons at all. They wouldn't give me my money back. The good news is that when I got home, I was 11 years old.

But back to those unresolved Senate seats. Here's the latest on the states, listed alphabetically:

COLORADO --

Gov. Bill Ritter (D) is obviously in no hurry to tip his hand on which Democrat he'll name to replace Sen. Ken Salazar (D) once he joins the Obama Cabinet as interior secretary. It seems that Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper, who retains high approval ratings, is getting the most mention. The mayor told the Rocky Mountain News that he'd be interested in replacing Salazar: "To work in Washington at this critical time," he said, "at this moment in history, would be incredibly exciting and challenging and I think rewarding."

Also adding her name to the mix is former state Sen. Polly Baca, who would be the nation's first Hispanic woman in the Senate (as well as Colorado's first woman). It's a rapidly growing list, as retiring state House Speaker Andrew Romanoff, Rep. Diana DeGette, two-time Senate candidate Tom Strickland, Rep. Ed Perlmutter, former state Senate President Joan Fitz-Gerald, Denver School Superintendent Michael Bennet and oil heiress Swanee Hunt have all either expressed interest in the appointment or have said they would consider it.

One name also being bandied about is Salazar's older brother, Congressman John Salazar, who for obvious reasons has been keeping a low profile as the jockeying intensifies.

There are risks for Ritter and the Dems with several of these choices. Some say DeGette may be too liberal to win statewide (though that's what they said about Mark Udall, who left his Boulder-centered congressional district to easily win a Senate seat this year). Of all the members of Congress out there, John Salazar's House seat may be toughest for the Dems to hold.

There are, for the record, some Democrats in Colorado who have ruled out the appointment. They include state Treasurer Cary Kennedy and former Denver Mayor and Clinton Cabinet official Federico Pena

Whoever is named will have to run in 2010, when Sen. Salazar's term would have expired.

Ritter will also have to name a successor to Secretary of State Mike Coffman (R), who was elected to Congress last month to replace retiring Republican Tom Tancredo. If Romanoff doesn't get the Senate appointment he could be the next Secretary of State.

(Sec/State update: see Wilson Pruitt's comment below.)

ILLINOIS --

The state House of Representatives meets again on Monday to discuss impeaching Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D), who has been accused of, among other things, offering to sell the Senate seat formerly held by President-elect Barack Obama to the highest bidder. Blagojevich, who was arrested Dec. 9 on corruption charges, has refused demands that he resign. One of his attorneys, Ed Genson, has told state legislators he wants them to subpoena more than a dozen witnesses, including Rep. Rahm Emanuel. It has already been acknowledged by Team Obama that Emanuel, who will leave Congress to become the new White House chief of staff, has had conversations with the governor and his former chief of staff, John Harris, about the Senate vacancy. (Harris was arrested with the governor last month.)

Also on Genson's subpoena wish list are Valerie Jarrett, who considered but then ruled herself out of Senate consideration, and Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., once thought to be high on the list of potential appointees.

Now that list is in tatters. It is not clear who has been fatally compromised by the investigation. It is not clear when or if Blagojevich will be removed from office, and so it is not clear who will be appointing the next senator. Republicans, of course, would love a special election, which was once called for by Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) -- a call that was muted once Dems realized they could lose the seat.

Naughty, not nice. A CNN/Opinion Research Corp. poll released on Christmas Eve named Blagojevich as the "naughtiest" politician in 2008. He topped the list with 56 percent, followed by ex-New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer with 23 percent and former presidential candidate John Edwards at 19 percent. Spitzer and Edwards were involved in sex scandals.

MINNESOTA --

The news has not been good lately for Sen. Norm Coleman (R), who trails Democratic challenger Al Franken by 47 (count 'em) votes in the latest tally. The Coleman camp is claiming that anywhere between 130 and 150 votes in Democratic areas may have been counted twice, but the state Supreme Court ruled against the claim, saying there was no way of determining that short of going through still another hand recount of the 2.9 million votes that were cast on Nov. 4. Republicans are suggesting more legal challenges.

There are still some 1,600 absentee ballots that were incorrectly rejected on Election Day. But the court ruled that the votes won't be counted unless both sides agree on each individual ballot.

One thing is clear: There will be no winner declared in 2008, and probably not before Jan. 6, when the new Congress is sworn in.

NEW YORK --

If Norm Coleman is not having a good time of it, it's been worse for Caroline Kennedy. The daughter of the late President John F. Kennedy made it clear that she would love to be appointed to the Senate once Hillary Clinton is confirmed as secretary of state. That was all well and good. But then it no longer became well or good. Kennedy's "listening tour" of upstate N.Y., modeled after Clinton's 1999 tour, didn't go according to plan. Instead of people throwing bouquets at her, she found herself getting hit with words like "entitlement" and "elitism." She met with more politicians than real voters (a "drive-by visit," wrote the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle), took only written questions from the media (and then gave less than satisfactory answers), is refusing to answer questions about her finances (not until she's appointed, she says), hasn't opened up her checkbook to any New York Democratic candidate in the past decade (except for New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, reports the Daily News' Michael Saul), has a spotty voting record, and has backed away from committing to support the Democratic nominee for mayor of New York City next year.

And on that last point, that's because one of her key sponsors for the Senate is thought to be NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg, a Democrat who was elected mayor twice as a Republican but who is now an independent. Bloomberg had the City Council temporarily remove the two-term limit so he could run again in 2009. Bloomberg has been one of the city's most popular mayors in history, but there has been a bit of backlash to his end run around term limits. There are many indications that Bloomberg and his political machine are solidly behind Kennedy's Senate bid.

Meanwhile, there are more and more signs indicating that Gov. David Paterson (D), who will make the appointment, is starting to resent the "inevitability" of Caroline that her supporters are suggesting. (Not long ago, Paterson was thought to resent the efforts of state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo to get himself appointed. Caroline has apparently replaced Andrew -- who was once married to her cousin -- as the focus of his resentment.) The Daily News reports that at a Wednesday news conference, when a reporter suggested Kennedy was the front-runner for the spot, Paterson shot back, "How is she a front-runner?"

Others thought to be high on the list as potential appointees: Tom Suozzi, the Nassau County (Long Island) executive, as well as several members of Congress, starting with Steve Israel from Long Island, Kirsten Gillibrand from upstate and Brian Higgins of Buffalo.

Paterson, like Colorado's governor, does not seem to be in any hurry to name a senator. By all indications, an appointment may not come until late January or even February.

Whoever is appointed will have to run in 2010, to fill the final two years of Clinton's term, and then again in 2012.

That's it for me in 2008. Have a safe, healthy and Happy New Year, and I'll see you in 2009.

3:29 PM ET | 12-26-2008 | permalink

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'Twas The End Of My Career

On today's Talk of the Nation program, host Neal Conan asked for political versions of the Twas the Night Before Christmas poem. Despite the risk to my reputation, I wrote one and read it on the air. And despite popular demand, I'm reprinting it here. (Actually, that last part is not completely true. Ed Weirauch of Leadership Communications in Wilmington, Del., actually asked for the text!)

Here's your chance to listen to my actual reading. Already it is being compared to a combination of Maya Angelou and Shemp Howard. Let me know if you agree.

Meanwhile, here's the text:

Twas the night before Christmas, and we at NPR,

Decided to review the year in politics, near and afar.

It started off clear, so sure were we
The nominees would be Mitt, and perhaps Hillary.

He had the hair and the great wealth.
She had connections, and the program for health.

But then something happened, that ended in surprise
Obama and McCain wound up with the prize.

Barack, he was called, what a strange name,
Not to mention Obama, let alone Hussein.

He was new to the Senate, a new shining light.
But he had his problems; think "Reverend Wright."

And then there was Bill, who for Hillary he made his pitch.
He could do anything he wanted; remember Marc Rich?

The Clintons were tough, there was no question.
But Obama never gave up; it's as if he was destined

He smiled, he reasoned, he spoke out for hope
So what if he spent his college days smoking that dope.

On the GOP side it was another good story
John McCain was on top, but many were worried.

On taxes, on torture, and the immigrant fight
He was not one of them, said the folks on the right.

So what did he do, with his chances a fadin'?
He picked this woman, this Sarah Palin.

She was tough, wore lipstick, and came from Alaska,
Was she going to help John McCain and the Republicans? You betcha!

But then something happened to end their mood euphoric
She had trouble with questions, and one Katie Couric.

Bristol was pregnant, in love thanks to Cupid,
But ultimately, it came down to the economy, stupid.

The collapse of the Dow, the growing unemployment number
Proved more important than John, or Sarah, or Joe the Plumber.

The year of course, was more than just this
And if Neal allows me, I'll continue my list.

Religion was important, and family too,
Just ask Vito Fossella, he had two.

And poor Tim Mahoney, he who replaced Mark Foley
The Florida Democrat had his own sex scandal; holy moly!

Bill Jefferson, his money in the freezer, he couldn't explain how,
No matter, he lost his seat, to a Vietnamese American named Cao.

President Bush, down on his luck,
Went to Baghdad, and managed to duck.

Two shoes were thrown, was the journalist's role
Bush saw the reporter, and looked into his sole.

Caroline Kennedy, as a child there was no one cuta,
Now has to spend her weekends, and Christmas, in Buffalo and Utica.

But if you think campaigning for the Senate is really a bitch
Just think, it could be worse, you could be Rod Blagojevich.

Wanna buy a Senate seat? Do you have money I can keep?
If you don't, then all I can say, is bleep bleep bleep.

I'm sorry for this poem, it is a bit clunky,
But I urge you to read my daily blog, which just so happens can be found at npr dot org slash junkie.

Happy Holidays!

4:09 PM ET | 12-24-2008 | permalink

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Today On TOTN: 2008 In Review, Plus A Rudin Christmas Poem

Make sure to tune in today to NPR's Talk of the Nation. It's the last Political Junkie segment of the year, a jam-packed program that includes:

-- the latest campaign news;

-- a special review of politics in this amazing year of 2008;

-- a farewell to some political giants who passed on; and, most troublesome ...

-- my attempt at a Night Before Christmas poem.

Remember, the Political Junkie segment airs every Wednesday at 2 p.m. Eastern time on Talk of the Nation, NPR's call-in program, where you can often, but not always, find interesting conversation, useless trivia questions and sparkling jokes.

And remember, if your local NPR station doesn't carry TOTN, you can hear the program on the Web or on HD radio. And if you are a subscriber to XM/Sirius radio, you can find the show there as well (siriusly).

(You can listen to last week's show here.)

Wanna be on the Junkie mailing list? Sign up at politicaljunkie@npr.org.

No Junkie blog or TOTN Junkie segment next week. No "It's All Politics" podcast this week, but there will be one next week.

Chappy Chanukah, Merry Christmas, and a safe, healthy and Happy New Year to all!

11:54 AM ET | 12-24-2008 | permalink

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Obama Report Says No Inappropriate Contact With Blago; Questions Remain On Craig's List

A report prepared by Greg Craig of the Obama transition team says that neither the president-elect nor anyone associated with him engaged in any unethical or inappropriate conduct in dealing with Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich regarding Obama's former Senate seat.

In his cover letter sent to Obama, Craig writes,

The accounts support your statement on December 11, 2008 that you "have never spoken to the Governor on this subject [or] about these issues," and that you "had no contact with the Governor's office." In addition, the accounts contain no indication of inappropriate discussions with the Governor or anyone from his office about a "deal" or a quid pro quo arrangement in which he would receive a personal benefit in return for any specific appointment to fill the vacancy.

One member of the transition staff, Rahm Emanuel, did have contacts of the type covered by your request. I discuss the nature of those contacts in the attached report. David Axelrod and
Valerie Jarrett, two other individuals on the transition staff, did not have any contacts with the Governor or his office but are included in the report to address questions raised by the press.

Craig says that Obama "had no contact or communication with Governor Blagojevich or members of his staff about the Senate seat":

In various conversations with transition staff and others, the President-Elect expressed his preference that Valerie Jarrett work with him in the White House. He also stated that he would neither stand in her way if she wanted to pursue the Senate seat nor actively seek to have her or any other particular candidate appointed to the vacancy.

After Ms. Jarrett decided on November 9, 2008 to withdraw her name from consideration as a possible replacement for him in the Senate and to accept the White House job, the President-Elect discussed other qualified candidates with David Axelrod and Rahm Emanuel. Those candidates included Representatives Jan Schakowsky and Jesse Jackson, Jr., Dan Hynes and Tammy Duckworth. The President-Elect understood that Rahm Emanuel would relay these names to the Governor's office as additions to the pool of qualified candidates who might already be under consideration. Mr. Emanuel subsequently confirmed to the President that he had in fact relayed these names. At no time in the discussion of the Senate seat or of possible replacements did the President-Elect hear of a suggestion that the Governor expected a personal benefit in return for making this appointment to the Senate.

As for Emanuel, Craig writes that he

had one or two telephone calls with Governor Blagojevich. Those conversations occurred between November 6 and November 8, 2008. Soon after he decided to accept the President-Elect's offer to serve as Chief of Staff in the White House, Mr. Emanuel placed a call to the Governor to give him a heads up that he was taking the Chief of Staff's position in the White House, and to advise him that he would be resigning his seat in the House of Representatives. They spoke about Mr. Emanuel's House seat, when he would be resigning and potential candidates to replace him. He also had a brief discussion with the Governor about the Senate seat and the merits of various people whom the Governor might consider. Mr. Emanuel and the Governor did not discuss a cabinet position, 501c(4), a private sector position for the Governor or any other personal benefit for the Governor.

In those early conversations with the Governor, Mr. Emanuel recommended Valarie Jarrett because he knew she was interested in the seat. He did so before learning -- in further conversations with the President-Elect -- that the President-Elect had ruled out communicating a preference for any one candidate. As noted above, the President-Elect believed it appropriate to provide the names of multiple candidates to be considered, along with others, who were qualified to hold the seat and able to retain it in a future election. The following week, Mr. Emanuel learned that the President-Elect and Ms. Jarrett with the President's strong encouragement had decided that she would take a position in the White House.

Between the time that Mr. Emanuel decided to accept the position of Chief of Staff in the White House and December 8, 2008, Mr. Emanuel had about four telephone conversations with John Harris, Chief of Staff to the Governor, on the subject of the Senate seat. In these conversations, Mr. Emanuel and Mr. Harris discussed the merits of potential candidates and the strategic benefit that each candidate would bring to the Senate seat. After Ms. Jarrett removed herself from consideration, Mr. Emanuel -- with the authorization of the President-Elect -- gave Mr. Harris the names of four individuals whom the President-Elect considered to be highly qualified:D an Hynes, Tammy Duckworth, Congresswoman Schakowsky and Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr.

In later telephone conversations, Mr. Emanuel -- also with the President-Elect's approval --presented other names of qualified candidates to Mr. Harris including Attorney General Lisa Madigan and Ms. Cheryle Jackson. Mr. Harris did not make any effort to extract a personal benefit for the Governor in any of these conversations. There was no discussion of a cabinet position, of 501c(4), of a private sector position or of any other personal benefit to the Governor in exchange for the Senate appointment.

Although Mr. Emanuel recalls having conversations with the President-Elect, with David Axelrod and with Valerie Jarrett about who might possibly succeed the President-Elect in the Senate, there was no mention of efforts by the Governor or his staff to extract a personal benefit in return for filling the Senate vacancy.

It's certainly plausible that Emanuel, the ultimate political insider and deal maker, only had "one of two" phone calls about the Senate seat with Blagojevich, none since Nov. 8, and "about four" calls with Harris, the former Blago chief of staff who was also arrested with the governor on Dec. 9. Had there been no contact between Rahm and Blago, well, that would have raised eyebrows. But since all the conversations ended early, and with Valerie Jarrett withdrawing her name from Senate consideration early, two questions stand out:

Was anyone on Obama's team warned in advance by U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald about the wiretaps into Blagojevich's office? Did Jarrett take her name out because the transition team learned about the attempt to sell the seat?

Then again, the fact that Blagojevich was under investigation for corruption has been known for years. Even before his re-election in 2006. So maybe that's why the conversations ended early. Ultimately, this may indeed be much ado about nothing. And while there has never been any indication of any nefarious behavior by anyone on the Obama team, there is still something interesting about a report absolving a team written by a member of the team.

By the way, President-elect Obama is vacationing in Hawaii. And, according to Huffington Post's Sam Stein, Emanuel left earlier today for a "long planned family vacation in Africa."

4:07 PM ET | 12-23-2008 | permalink

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Someone Is Reading This Blog

The Political Junkie, at 12:24 pm today:

It's cold outside, the economy stinks, and the Yankees still haven't signed Mark Teixeira.

The Associated Press, two minutes ago:

The New York Yankees have reeled in another prime free agent, reaching a preliminary agreement with first baseman Mark Teixeira for $180 million over eight years.

A person familiar with the negotiations disclosed the agreement, which is subject to a physical. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal was not yet final.

Coincidence? I think not.

3:36 PM ET | 12-23-2008 | permalink

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