Democratic Sources

Obama Going To Hawaii For Christmas Vacation — President-elect Barack Obama will spend the Christmas and New Year's holidays on an extended vacation with his family in Hawaii, Democratic sources confirmed today. The length of the vacation is not yet clear, and transition officials would not comment. Obama last visited the islands in October when his grandmother was sick. The Christmas trek to Hawaii may be a regular occurance for Obama in the White House, which would please the press corps, the Secret Service, WHCA and the locals to no end -- though it must be said: Crawford was probably easier to secure. Obama vacations there whenever he... [Tags: barack obama, christmas, christmas vacation, democratic national convention, democratic sources]

Wolfson Over Fear Of Flying -- Destined For State? — With Hillary Clinton seemingly locked up for the post of Secretary of State, several Democratic sources have begun speculating that her long-time communications hand, Howard Wolfson, would be brought on board to help with the task. A seasoned press flack who Clinton implicitly trusts -- and, it should be added, who is more than capable of handling the job of State Department spokesperson -- Wolfson is a naturally good fit. But there is one problem: he has a famous fear of flying. And to conceivably work in State, air travel is important. Well, it turns out, Wolfson no longer suffers... [Tags: air travel, boston, cold water, democratic sources, europe]

James Jones: Obama's National Security Adviser? — ABC News reports that Barack Obama is close to picking Gen. James Jones as National Security Adviser: Democratic sources tell ABC News that President-elect Obama appears to be turning to two retired four-stars for his National Security Adviser and his Director of National Intelligence. Marine Gen. James L. Jones (Ret.), the former head of NATO and U.S. forces in Europe, has emerged as the leading candidate to serve as the National Security Adviser for President-elect Obama. The Washington Post adds some biographical information: Current job: President and chief executive of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Institute for 21st Century Energy... [Tags: abc news, barack obama, commandant of the marine corps, condoleezza rice, defense secretary william]

Obama Reaches Out To Bush 41 Veteran Scowcroft For Advice — Democratic sources say that former Bush 41 National Security Adviser Brent Scowcroft is one of the people whom Barack Obama has been consulting about how to craft his national security team. Knowledgeable sources say Obama reached out to Scowcroft two days ago to discuss defense and national security issues. Scowcroft, who first served as President Ford's national security adviser, was an early and vocal critic of the Iraq war -- starting in August 2002. That criticism cost the retired Air Force General his position as head of President Bush's Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board.... [Tags: air force general, barack obama, brent scowcroft, democratic sources, ford]

Napolitano to head Homeland Security — Via the Washington Post: Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano (D), a border-state governor whose handling of immigration and homeland security issues brought her accolades from fellow governors, is President-elect Barack Obama's choice to serve as secretary of homeland security, Democratic sources said yesterday. Napolitano, 50, was an early supporter of Obama and was the only sitting governor and current elected official tapped to serve on his 12-member transition advisory board. She was reelected in 2006 to a second term as governor of Arizona, the home state of Sen. John McCain, the Republican presidential nominee in the race against Obama. Term limits... [Tags: arizona gov, barack obama, border state, democratic sources, elected official]

Janet Napolitano: Homeland Security Secretary? — CNN is reporting Wednesday night that Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano is leading the running to become Obama's secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. President-elect Barack Obama's top choice for secretary of homeland security is Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano, multiple Democratic sources close to the transition told CNN on condition of anonymity. One source said he believed the final decision depends on the vetting of the Democratic governor, much like the selection of Eric Holder for attorney general. One reason Napolitano's decision may be contingent on Holder's is that Napolitano was originally considered a candidate for the Attorney General job.... [Tags: anonymity, arizona gov, arizona governor janet napolitano, barack obama, cnn]

Obama taps ex-Senate chief to head health agency — WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President-elect Barack Obama has chosen Tom Daschle, a key early supporter and former U.S. Senate leader, as his top official to overhaul the U.S. healthcare system, two Democratic sources said on Wednesday.... [Tags: barack obama, democratic sources, health agency, healthcare system, president elect]

Holder Top Prospect for Attorney General — Updated 4:16 p.m. By Carrie Johnson and Chris Cillizza Eric H. Holder Jr., a former second in command at the Justice Department who served as President-elect Barack Obama's campaign co-chairman, is almost certain to be selected as U.S. Attorney General, according to knowledgeable Democratic sources. Holder, 57, has a rich background within the criminal justice system as a former judge and top federal prosecutor in Washington, D.C. He is widely known within the city's legal...Please click on the title to continue reading this entry.... [Tags: attorney general, barack obama, carrie johnson, co chairman, criminal justice system]

A Health Care Role for Hillary — As long as we are talking so much about her options these days, here's one: After lobbying unsuccessfully to have a health care reform subcommittee created for her to chair on Teddy Kennedy's Health Committee, Hillary Clinton is being asked to head one of three task forces that he is creating on the subject, two Democratic sources tell me. Hers would deal with the issue of coverage. Unless, of course, she goes to the State Department instead. Which she probably will. UPDATE: Here's the announcement: SENATOR KENNEDY ESTABLISHES COMMITTEE WORKING GROUPS ON HEALTH REFORM Washington, DC— Senator Edward M. Kennedy,... [Tags: affordable health care, barbara mikulski, committee on health education labor and pensions, democratic sources, edward m kennedy]

Not acceptable — Roll Call (subscription only): When Senate Democrats meet Tuesday to decide Sen. Joe Lieberman’s (ID-Conn.) fate, leaders are expected to propose that he keep his gavel at the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee but lose his Environment and Public Works subcommittee chairmanship. Senate Democratic sources cautioned that the proposal is intended to serve as a starting point for the discussion over whether Lieberman should be punished for his aggressive criticism of President-elect Barack Obama’s candidacy, as well as his endorsement of Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain (Ariz.). Those sources said the proposal could change based on what Lieberman... [Tags: airland, barack obama, climate change debate, consumer solutions, dc beltway]

Obama-Clinton Negotiations: Why They've Gone Silent — On Wednesday, the call came in from Chicago: President-elect Obama wanted to meet with Sen. Clinton, in private, the next day. According to Democratic sources, Clinton disclosed the information to only three people and swore them to secrecy. Clinton's team went to extreme lengths to keep the trip a secret. When Clinton arrived at La Guardia airport in New York for the Delta flight, she was the last person to board the plane. In Chicago, she was the first person to disembark.... [Tags: delta flight, democratic sources, extreme lengths, first person, la guardia airport]

UPDATE: Hillsec — You can count me among those who were skeptical about the stories last night and this morning that suggested Hillary Clinton is in serious consideration to become Secretary of State. It is not that I doubt her qualifications. I have traveled with her overseas, and have seen the depth of her knowledge of foreign policy, and her passion for it. But it seemed to be that this would be a complicated pick, for one reason: Bill Clinton. Would the former First Couple really want to undergo a vigorous vetting process that would expose all of his dealings overseas to public... [Tags: anger, barack obama, bill clinton, cabinet secretaries, circumstances]

Summers May Be Off Treasury Secretary Short List — Intense backlash from women's groups may have pushed former Clinton Treasury Secretary Larry Summers off the short-list to lead Treasury for President-elect Barack Obama, according to widespread reports circulating in Democratic circles. The women's opposition to a possible Summers' appointment was the explanation some Democratic sources are hearing for why the Obama transition team has crossed Summers off their list. The Obama team doesn't want to kick off its administration with a controversy nor go head-to-head with an important constituency when there are other qualified candidates, political operatives speculate.... [Tags: appointment, backlash, barack obama, circles, constituency]

Emanuel Accepts Job as Obama Chief of Staff — By Chris Cillizza Illinois Rep. Rahm Emanuel has, as expected, accepted the job as chief of staff to President-elect Barack Obama, according to informed Democratic sources. Emanuel's hiring ensures that the candidate who ran against the Beltway will have a seasoned Washington hand as his top staffer. Emanuel was elected to Congress in 2002 to a strongly Democratic Chicago-area seat once held by legendary Ways and Means Chairman Dan Rostenkowski. He rapidly rose through the...Please click on the title to continue reading this entry.... [Tags: barack obama, chicago area, chief of staff, congress, dan rostenkowski]

Rahm Emanuel Mulling Obama Job Offer — Rep. Rahm Emanuel talks with then-Sen. Barack Obama at a Chicago 2016 Olympic rally at Daley Center Plaza in Chicago. (Alex Brandon/Associated Press) By Chris Cillizza Rep. Rahm Emanuel, the fourth ranking Democrat in the House, is strongly considering an offer from President-elect Barack Obama to serve as White House chief of staff, according to Democratic sources. Obama's offer comes less than 24 hours after he scored a sweeping victory over John McCain --...Please click on the title to continue reading this entry.... [Tags: 2016 olympic, alex, associated press, barack obama, chicago 2016]

Senate Race Roundup — CO-Sen: Finally, the DSCC et al., are in a position to take it easy, at least a little bit, in Colorado. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee will cease television advertising in Colorado by Tuesday, state Democratic sources say, a signal that the national candidate committee believes Rep. Mark Udall is comfortably ahead of former congressman Bob Schaffer in the race for Colorado's open U.S. Senate seat. The DSCC instead will put its resources into competitive races elsewhere as the party tries to secure the filibuster-proof 60-seat majority. Third-party orgs are still spending on behalf of Udall's opponent, Bob Schaffer, so... [Tags: congressman bob schaffer, democratic presidential candidate, democratic senatorial campaign, democratic senatorial campaign committee, democratic sources]

Obama Camp Edited Kucinich And Other Speeches — Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) is tightening the reins on campaign speeches and stressing that speakers emphasize a rags-to-riches theme. Members of Congress and others who have been asked to address the convention must have their speeches approved by the Obama campaign. In many cases, the speeches are drastically changed -- to the point where the original speech is completely scrapped, Democratic sources say. ... Yet not every speech has been completely overhauled. Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio), who was asked by Obama to speak about the economy, was scheduled to deliver his speech Tuesday afternoon. The Obama campaign struck just one... [Tags: barack obama, bush administration, campaign speeches, democratic sources, dennis kucinich]

Obama picks Biden, lets CNN tell supporters [Politics] — So much for being the first to know, as Barack Obama's campaign promised Internet users who handed over their email addresses and cell-phone numbers in exchange for early notice of Obama's VP pick. "Multiple Democratic sources confirm to CNN that Sen. Barack Obama has selected Sen. Joseph Biden as his vice presidential nominee," CNN.com reports. A text message with the announcement will be sent to Obama's supporters sometime Saturday morning." BarackObama.com is still soliciting users' emails and phone numbers. Oh, and Twitter? Earlier today, users of the microblogging service were convinced Obama had picked Bloomberg. The Twitter users who got... [Tags: barack obama, barackobama, breaking news, cell phone numbers, cnn]

Al Gore To Address Share Spotlight With Barack Obama At Invesco Field Rally — Al Gore will have a prime speaking slot at the Democratic convention, sharing the bill with Sen. Barack Obama on Thursday night, Democratic sources said.... [Tags: al gore, barack obama, democratic convention, democratic sources, invesco]

Gore to Speak at Invesco Thursday Night — By Shailagh Murray RALEIGH, N.C. -- Al Gore will have a prime speaking slot at the Democratic convention, sharing the bill with Sen. Barack Obama on Thursday night, Democratic sources said. Some party insiders had promoted Gore as a go-for-broke vice presidential pick, but Obama's shortlist has narrowed to a handful of names, and President Clinton's former No. 2 isn't one of them. Yet Gore reinforces his status as one of the party's elder statesmen...Please click on the title to continue reading this entry.... [Tags: al gore, barack obama, democratic convention, democratic sources, elder statesmen]