Rumors are still flying that President-elect Obama will ask former primaries rival Hillary Clinton to serve as Secretary of State, with a British paper reporting that Clinton is set to accept the position.
Yesterday, Obama met with another former rival, Sen. McCain, himself.
ABC reports a successful meeting, at least according to sources close to both former candidates and the leaders’ joint statement after their conversation.
Before the meeting, Obama told reporters he wanted to discuss with McCain “about how he can work together to fix up the country and also to offer thanks … for the outstanding service he’s already rendered.”
Speaking on getting the ball rolling to “fix up the country,” the Washington Post reports that in October, Obama specifically wooed federal employees of seven government agencies with letters detailing how his administration would benefit their programs.
For example, Obama pledged to secure resources needed for Department of Housing and Urban Development programs, advocated for bargaining rights and workplace protections for Transportation Security Administration workers and, in a letter to the Department of Labor, harshly criticized what he called the Bush Administration’s “failure to ensure mine safety.”
The Post noted that Obama offered no high-cost initiatives – indeed, no additional spending at all – to the Defense Department.
In financial news, the legislative battle begins for the beleaguered U.S. auto industry, with the proposal to loan automakers $25 billion out of the $700 billion federal bailout set to be debated in Congress this week.
It’s a tense battle, and Bloomberg reports that, not surprisingly, some of the Republican congressmen who oppose the measure represent states with factories owned by foreign car manufacturers.
“We have a very large and vibrant automobile sector in Alabama,” said Rep. Jeff Sessions, whose state is home to two German-based Daimler plants, as well as Honda and Hyundai ones.
At the Washington Post, Robert Samuelson argues that a bailout can work for General Motors – with strict boundaries enforced.
In the Wall Street Journal, Michael Levine disagrees, saying bankruptcy is “the best option” for GM’s future survival.
Finally, from the Vatican: Pope Benedict addressed the Pontifical Council for the Laity over the weekend, citing the especial need of educating and assisting Catholic politicians “that they would be coherent with their professed faith.”
It’s a message sure to resonate over the Atlantic, at least to varying degrees, in the wake of Catholic politicians such as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Vice President-elect Joe Biden misrepresenting Church teaching in the public square.
On a related note, one bishop in North Dakota, Bishop Samuel Aquila of Fargo, wrote in his diocesan paper that he was praying for conversion in the heart of President-elect Obama, that he might “recognize the dignity of human life from the moment of conception until natural death and the truth that no government has the right to legalize abortion.”
Bishop Aquila likewise urged Catholics to integrate faith and politics, lamenting the trend of Catholic politicians to abandon the truth of their faith once in office. This not only goes against what it is to live as a faithful Catholic, he said, but also against the spirit of the Founding Fathers.
He quoted George Washington for emphasis, who said, “"Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports."
Thank you Pope Benedict the XVI.
I have ran as a Catholic Candidate for President in the past Presidential election.
I ran as an Eco-Green Republican.
The only one who did not accept any money from anyone.
I have FEDXed over night,the Pope, my positions.
Every Catholic newspaper, and Bishop was sent my information.
The abortion issue is considered optional by many Catholics.
Doctors take an oath to not unecessarily take a human life.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi comes from a long line of active political Catholics in Baltimore, Maryland. Her family has really helped many people.
Senator Biden has a great vision.The youngest Snator ever elected.
However, he like most Catholics,could use a refresher course in Catholic theology.
I offer all Catholic statesman to anannual conference to go over the basics.
I would invite The Pope, the Catholic Bishops Conference, and the other Catholic grouppps, like the Knights of COlumbus, Catholic Daughters, ALhambra(Catholic Shriners),
to meet.
We can have Michael Steele, Newt Gringrich, Nancy Pelosi, Vice PResident Joe Biden,Jeb Bush, and Arnold Swartennegger,and other Catholics speak.
There are 70 million Catholic voters in the USA. I am willling to help the Republican Party rebrand, and rebuild. I am also ready to help President Barack Obama solve the harms and needs of the world.
I have already solved them, years ago, when was chairman of 5 Harvard Model Un Outstanding delgations.
Contact me at:
Daniel Muffoletto
Faithful Navigator
4TH Degree
Knights of COlumbus
Noble in Alhambra
23 Culver Lane
# C
Manchester, Vermont
05255
(802)-366-9121
Posted by: Dr. Daniel Muffoletto ND | November 18, 2008 at 12:20 PM