CQ Politics' Web Picks

CBS 2 Chicago: Mayor Daley Calls Blagojevich 'Cuckoo'

Responding to questions about Gov. Rod Blagojevich's claims Friday that Democratic lawmakers are trying to oust him so they can raise taxes, Mayor Richard M. Daley said the governor was "cuckoo." He noted that he has called Blagojevich "cuckoo" once before. The earlier comment came in September, when Blagojevich questioned financial statements by the head of the Chicago Transit Authority. "I've said 'cuckoo' once. I'll say it again," Daley said.

New York Times: Firms That Got Bailout Money Keep Lobbying

The financial giant Bank of America says it is no longer lobbying the federal government about its unfolding bank bailout. After receiving $45 billion in bailout money, lobbying was just too unseemly. Citigroup, recipient of another $45 billion, made the opposite call. While trying to keep a low profile, the company is still fielding an army of Washington lobbyists working on a host of issues, including the bailout. In the fourth quarter, it spent $1.77 million on lobbying fees, according to its lobbyists' filings.

New York Post: Sources Say Caroline Turned Nasty Toward Governor

Gov. Paterson rapped Caroline Kennedy at a private event the night before he tapped Kirsten Gillibrand for the Senate, telling guests Kennedy had been "nasty" to him and shown "disrespect" with how she bowed out, attendees told The Post. The governor's attack came just hours after his office issued a statement wishing her well and disavowing quotes from a source close to him who had told The Post Kennedy had never been in true contention for the seat and was "mired" in personal issues.

Daily Beast: The Real Reasons Caroline Didn't Make It

The real reason Caroline didn't get the job isn't taxes. It's that she antagonized liberal interest groups, offended the Clintons, and generally bungled the effort. Not that Gov. Paterson did any better: In the words of someone close to him, "he's incapable of the chess strategy required to think through what the consequences of anything might be two weeks from now," writes Tucker Carlson.

Chicago Tribune: Obama's Ways Cool to Some, New to Others

For some older Americans, Obama's ease and embrace of black culture might take some getting used to. There is no doubt that the president is at ease with the vernacular and cultural mannerisms commonly associated with African-Americans. Obama is as comfortable conversing with hip-hop artists as addressing the world as the American president. During a visit to Ben's Chili Bowl in Washington, Obama paid his bill and answered "We straight" when the waitress asked if he wanted change back.

Wall Street Journal: Delays in Cabinet Nominations Demonstrate GOP Resolve

President Obama will start his second week without Treasury, Labor, Health and Human Services or Commerce secretaries, not to mention an attorney general to head the Justice Department. By the end of next week, Senate aides say the president may have only secured two more cabinet confirmations: Timothy Geithner at Treasury and Eric Holder at Justice. Since President Jimmy Carter's first term, only President George H.W. Bush has had more problems than Mr. Obama on this front -- and the current president's issues have arisen after what is widely considered a smooth, quick and organized transition.

The Nation: An Agenda for Obama on Gaza, Middle East

President Obama and Secretary of State Clinton have moved quickly, and appropriately, to send some appropriate signals regarding the Gaza crisis in particular and the broader challenge of seeking peace in the Middle East, blogger John Nichols writes.

Weekly Standard: Let 1,000 Republican Flowers Bloom

William Kristol writes that if party leaders and ideological guides had succeeded in buttoning everything down, if there had been harmonious unity and a coordinated strategy and an agreed-upon message in early 1977, there would have been no Reagan Revolution. And if politicians had been deterred from changing their minds, worried over charges of inconsistency, there would have been less progress during those years. A little chaos, lots of debate, tons of political entrepreneurship--that's what we need.