Obama challenges lobbyists

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama challenged the nation's vested interests to a legislative duel Saturday, saying he will fight to change health care, energy and education in dramatic ways that will upset the status quo.

"The system we have now might work for the powerful and well-connected interests that have run Washington for far too long," Obama said in his weekly radio and video address. "But I don't. I work for the American people."

He said his ambitious budget plan, unveiled Thursday, will help millions of Americans, but only if Congress overcomes resistance from deep-pocket lobbies.

"I know these steps won't sit well with the special interests and lobbyists who are invested in the old way of doing business, and I know they're gearing up for a fight," Obama said, using tough-guy language reminiscent of his predecessor, George W. Bush. "My message to them is this: So am I."

Some analysts say Obama's proposals are almost radical. But he said all of them were included in his campaign promises. "It is the change the American people voted for in November," he said.

First Female Dictator Hailed As Step Forward For Women

Biden's Web Site Blunder

Republican Response to Pres. Obama Address to Congress

Pres. Obama Address to Congress

Tyler Perry in Madea- Go See This Weekend Support, Support

Song for President Barack Obama

Burris confirms request for Blagojevich donation

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Raising fresh questions about his appointment to Congress, Sen. Roland Burris admitted in a document released Saturday that former Gov. Rod Blagojevich's brother asked him for campaign fundraising help before the governor named Burris as Illinois' junior senator.

The disclosure reflects a major omission from Burris' testimony in January when an Illinois House impeachment committee specifically asked if he had ever spoken to Robert Blagojevich or other aides to the now-deposed governor about the Senate seat vacated by Barack Obama.

State Rep. Jim Durkin, the impeachment committee's ranking Republican, told The Associated Press that he and House Republican Leader Tom Cross will ask Sunday for an outside investigation into whether Burris perjured himself.

Republicans say No! But , President Obama still wins !

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama has the first major victory in Congress of his young administration, a $787 billion stimulus bill that includes tax cuts and federal spending aimed at easing the worst economic crisis in decades ( Bad Bush!!). Hours earlier, Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell offered a different prediction for a bill he said was loaded with wasteful spending.(hidden racism? Republicans still reeling about a black man in the highest office?).

Why does the Republicans keep fighting any assistance for the poor and helpless? Next election: Senators.

Since taking office on Jan. 20, the president has signed legislation extending government-financed health care to millions of lower-income children who lack it, a bill that President George W. Bush twice vetoed. Obama also has placed his signature on a measure making it easier for workers to sue their employers for alleged job discrimination, effectively overturning a ruling by the Supreme Court's conservative majori

Whats up with Condoleezza?

Condoleezza Rice, former Secretary of State, has signed on with William Morris Talent Agency yesterday. Although her contract with the worldwide agency has specific focus on books, lectures and philanthropic goals. I would not be surprised if she showed up on television in years to come. Although WM are making great efforts on emphasizing that is not the goal of her post Bush administration career.

Ron Paul takes C-SPAN Phone Caller Questions: "Reagan added to the deficit, grew government"

BREAKING: Daschle withdraws

Posted: 12:52 PM ET

Daschle has withdrawn his nomination to lead the Health and Human Services Department.
WASHINGTON (CNN) – Former Sen. Tom Daschle has asked President Obama to withdraw his nomination for Secretary of Health and Human Services, according to a written statement from the White House.

Senate confirms Holder as first black Attorney General

WASHINGTON — Eric Holder won Senate confirmation Monday as the nation's first African-American attorney general, after supporters from both parties touted his dream resume and easily overcame Republican concerns over his commitment to fight terrorism and his unwillingness to back the right to keep and bear arms.

The vote was 75-21, with all the opposition coming from Republicans.

Holder's chief supporter, Sen. Patrick Leahy, said the confirmation was a fulfillment of civil rights leader Martin Luther King's dream that everyone would be judged by the content of their character.

"Come on the right side of history," said Leahy, D-Vt., chairman of the Judiciary Committee.

Holder becomes the only black in the Obama administration in what has traditionally been known as the president's Cabinet. Three other African-Americans have been chosen for top administration positions that hold the same rank.

The Wait-And-See Approach

President Obama vows to address rights

President Obama proposes an aggressive civil rights agenda on his Web site, whitehouse.gov.

Obama pledges to end sex- and race-based pay disparities, push through the fair pay and employment nondiscrimination acts, harshly penalize voter fraud, dump race-tinged drug-sentencing disparities, and outlaw racial profiling at the federal level while providing financial incentives to local and state police to ban the practice. The president also promises to markedly expand hate-crime prosecutions. President Obama is way ahead of the policy curve. He's already spelled out what needs to be done on civil rights and why it must be done.

While the President will be watched intently to see how he deals with crises from the Iraq war to the economy, racial disparities and poverty are no less compelling