President-elect Barack Obama and his aides are lobbying Congress to spend the second half of the Troubled Asset Relief Program, but lawmakers -- unhappy with the spending of the first half of the $700 billion package -- may try to freeze the funds. (Washington Post)
Does Obama, as the first commander-in-chief elected straight from Congress since President Kennedy, know how to handle "congressional egos"? Apparently not so much, after his first workweek was marked by bickering with lawmakers over his pick for CIA chief and the economic stimulus package. (Los Angeles Times)
Obama plans to block the estate tax from going off the books in 2010 and will likely try to lock in the current exempted amounts of $3.5 million -- $7 million for couples. (Wall Street Journal)
Speaking Sunday on "This Week," Obama said he will pursue a "policy of engagement" with Iran and lean on both sides to broker a peace deal in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. (New York Times)
Obama campaigned against the executive branch's power grab over the last eight years, but just how much of that authority he will cede back is unclear. (Newsweek)
In contrast to his campaign rhetoric bashing Washington's K Street culture, Obama is reaching out to trade associations and industries -- though in a less chummy fashion than his predecessor. (Roll Call -- subscription)
If the Senate Foreign Relations Committee asks Secretary of State-designate Hillary Rodham Clinton about "any personal stuff or on the Bill s--t, she'll hit the ball out of the park," a Clinton adviser said of Tuesday's confirmation hearing. (Politico)
Until last week, Obama's new climate czar, Carol Browner, was one of the leaders of the "socialist group" Commission for a Sustainable World Society. Her name and biography have since been removed from the group's Web site. (Washington Times)
Black immigrants see Obama's rise as a victory for them as well, and hope that he will inspire change in their home countries. (AP)
With the White House handover also comes a changing of the guard of White House correspondents, with most networks cycling new reporters into the high-profile beat. (Politico)
The First Dog will either be a Labradoodle or a Portuguese water hound, Obama said Sunday, quipping that "this has been tougher than finding a Commerce secretary." (New York Times)
Marvel Comics will release a Spiderman comic Wednesday featuring the web slinger as a Secret Service agent for Obama. (Washington Post)
Inauguration Conflagration
The inauguration and its panoply of high-profile balls and parties is creating a boom for private security services. (Washington Post)
An inaugural rehearsal was held early Sunday morning, with the Obama stand-in, Staff Sgt. Derrick Brooks of the Army, making a short but sweet inaugural speech: "My fellow Americans, God bless America." (New York Times)
Eastern Market will open Jan. 19 and Jan. 20 "to give visitors a more authentic view of the city." (Roll Call -- subscription)
Meteorologists are predicting Jan. 20 will be slightly colder than average at 38 degrees and sunny. (The Hill)
Comments
To post a comment, you must provide a name and a valid e-mail address. Messages must be limited to 400 words. By using this service you agree not to post material that is obscene, harassing, defamatory, or otherwise objectionable. Although Lost in Transition does not monitor comments posted to this site (and has no obligation to), it reserves the right to delete, edit, or move any material that it deems to be in violation of this rule.