National Tax Woes Likely Won't Derail Daschle Confirmation January 31, 2009 • The president's pick for health secretary said he deeply regrets tax mistakes and amended returns to report more than $128,000 in back taxes and nearly $12,000 in interest for 2005 to 2007. NPR's Ron Elving Discusses Tom Daschle And Judd Gregg On 'Weekend All Things Considered' Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/100108391/100125215" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
NPR's Ron Elving Discusses Tom Daschle And Judd Gregg On 'Weekend All Things Considered' Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/100108391/100125215" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Obama Reaches Out to Congressional GOP January 31, 2009 • NPR's Scott Simon speaks to National Review editor Rich Lowry about what kind of relationship President Obama and congressional Republicans might try to forge, despite the House GOP leaders' rejecting the stimulus package. "I came away with an overwhelming sense of his self confidence, which is really rather extraordinary" and quite disturbing, Lowry says. Obama does not come into a room needing everyone to like or agree with him, Lowry says, as opposed to former President Bill Clinton.
Obama Hews To Campaign's Consensus Theme January 31, 2009 • Obama wants very much to be a consensus president, but a president needs an enemy, NPR Senior News Analyst Daniel Schorr tells Scott Simon. Obama's working to get some Republican votes for the economic stimulus bill, but it comes down to this, Schorr says: Does spending create jobs or do tax cuts create jobs? He's also moving cautiously on the crisis in Gaza.
Simon Says Obama Pokes Fun At D.C.'s Snow Aversion January 31, 2009 • NPR'S Scott Simon reflects on President Barack Obama's complaint about how people in the Washington, D.C. area deal with snow and ice. The president jokingly chided the area this week after his daughters' school closed due to the inclement weather.
Week In Review: Michael Steele, Stimulus January 31, 2009 • NPR News Analyst Juan Williams tells NPR's Scott Simon what the Republicans' choice of Michael Steele as the new head of the party means. He also discusses the House vote on President Obama's economic stimulus plan.
Quinn Vows To Repair Illinois' Reputation January 31, 2009 • Pat Quinn's first day as the new governor of Illinois began with him phoning in to radio talk shows. "We're going to start to fumigate state government from top to bottom," says Quinn, who has been called a do-gooder. The governor said he did not expect a honeymoon and ended his first day of official business in a brainstorming session with the state's top elected executives. "We all love Illinois and I think it's very important that we convey that…we're going to repair any damage, all of us working together," he says.
Obama And Reagan: Different Ideals, Similar Tone January 31, 2009 • The rise of Barack Obama and the historic challenges facing his presidency have prompted comparisons to past presidents such as Abraham Lincoln and Franklin Roosevelt. But in these very early days, there are also parallels to be drawn between Obama and a more recent occupant of the Oval Office: Ronald Reagan.
Tax Problems Emerge For HHS Designate Daschle January 30, 2009 • The White House says "some tax issues" have emerged in connection with President Barack Obama's nomination of Tom Daschle as health secretary. But a spokesman says the president is confident the former Senate Democratic leader will receive Senate confirmation.
In Steele, GOP Sees Hope For New Start January 30, 2009 • Leaders of the fractured, demoralized national Republican Party on Friday turned to Michael Steele — a charismatic African-American — to lead it into the future. Already, one thing seems clear: The party needs to write a new post-Bush chapter. Quickly.
National Public Sector Joins Businesses In Feeling Layoff Pain January 30, 2009 • New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg warned Friday he may have to cut 23,000 city positions, becoming the latest official to warn that government jobs will be slashed.
Week In Politics Examined January 30, 2009 • This week, the Republican National Committee elected Michael Steele as its chairman, President Barack Obama's economic stimulus plan passed the House with no Republican support, and Obama criticized near-record Wall Street bonuses. Political commentators E.J. Dionne of the Washington Post and David Brooks of The New York Times weigh in.
Obama Eyes GOP Sen. Gregg For Commerce January 30, 2009 • President Barack Obama has approached Sen. Judd Gregg (R-NH) about being secretary of Commerce. The move would add another Republican to the Cabinet, but if Gregg left the Senate, it would be up to New Hampshire's Democratic governor to name a replacement.
RNC Elects Michael Steele As Chairman January 30, 2009 • The Republican National Committee picked former Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael Steele as its new chairman. Steele, the party's first African-American chairman, beat four challengers, including Mike Duncan, the incumbent.
Economy Road Builders Compete For Slice Of Stimulus January 30, 2009 • Lobbyists for various industries are making the rounds in Washington, D.C., pleading the case for bigger investments and tax breaks. With the $800 billion-plus stimulus bill coming up for debate in the Senate, the construction industry is touting the benefits of asphalt and concrete.
Can GOP Still Enjoy Its Retreat? January 30, 2009 • The Republican National Committee sets to work this weekend. But a new poll shows the GOP can only claim significant voter majorities in a handful of states. We explore what's in store at the RNC's annual weekend retreat and who they're considering as a new party chair.
