McAuliffe loses in Virginia primary

Terry McAuliffe's gubernatorial dream is dashed as he loses to Creigh Deeds in the Democratic primary. McAuliffe's campaign was well funded and endorsed by party heavyweights such as former President Bill Clinton, and this defeat may signal the diminishing influence of the Clintons in the Democrat Party.

Deeds' victory means a rematch against Bob McDonnell (R). They both ran for state attorney general four years ago with McDonnell winning by a margin of only 323 votes.

This is one of the major 2010 races to keep an eye on.

Which part of "no supporters of abortion" doesn't Obama understand?!

The White House is struggling to find an ambassador for the Vatican. Strike two: Caroline Kennedy, who publicly supports abortion.

It's not that hard, really. The Vatican's requirements are quite straightforward and even has nothing to do with taxes: Don't send us an abortion supporter! That's it! Send us an ambassador who values life and preferably a Catholic.

But President Obama cannot get it through his head that no means no. And the choice of Kennedy? Obviously to make up for her blundered pre-campaign to fill Hillary Clinton's senate seat. He is clearly politicking this diplomat choice, and the result once again demonstrates that he's not as popular in Europe as he thinks. How arrogant of him to push the issue of abortion onto the Holy See?!

I'm not a Catholic and I'm even mad about this appointment! It's truly an insult.

Clinton blames U.S. on Mexican drug war

Is Hillary Clinton secretary of state to Mexico? She goes to our neighbor to the south and spews junk like this:

"Our insatiable demand for illegal drugs fuels the drug trade. Our inability to prevent weapons from being illegally smuggled across the border to arm these criminals causes the death of police officers, soldiers and civilians."

Although she is 100 percent correct in pointing out our inability to stop weapons trickling across the border. Maybe it's time for tougher immigration enforcement and border security! I cannot believe it took the violent Mexican drug cartels to force Washington to just think about defending our borders.

Obama tries to be a great communicator

The grueling 2008 presidential campaign and was full of surprises. I don't think there's ever been such a dynamic campaign season in past history. We saw the coronation of Hillary Clinton fizzle as the junior senator from Illinois with a thin resume, Barack H. Obama, charmed and talked his way into the White House.

In the beginning it was all about the Iraq War and by association, the War on Terror. This was an easy shot for Obama, just keep talking about the "unjust" war and voters will gravitate toward the candidate. It was a good strategy and it made sense politically, but more importantly it was working. But as luck would have it, subsequently the economy faltered and everybody's eyes were on Wall Street.

In my view candidate Obama was ready to deal with the War in Iraq, but clueless about saving the economy. I'm starting to believe that his team made extra efforts in strategizing the anti-war platform without paying much attention to the economy, thinking that the War would dominate headlines throughout the campaign season and that the War would be Americans' #1 concern.

Ooooops. Big oooooops.

America won the Iraq War, albeit with great casualties -- not just the fallen soldiers, but also for some politicians. Obama swears in as President in January, and now he's faced with a much tougher issue: the economic recession. This problem cannot be tackled by withdrawing troops or cutting military spending. This problem requires seasoned, talented cabinet members, and it is fought with policies and negotiations instead of bullets and tanks.

I believe he saw the presidency as a career goal and nothing else. He cares not for America, but for his own fame. How else could you explain his obsessive and excessive use of the Teleprompter? Or appearing on TV shows? Or calling prime time press conferences? It seems that this man worries more about his own image and polling numbers than anything else. Has he realized yet that sometimes doing the right thing isn't popular?

President Ronald Reagan was a citizen's president and a great communicator. Obama definitely inspires to be like Reagan, but he is struggling big time. Both are charismatic, charming, great orators. So what made Reagan so effective but Obama so jaded?

It's something deep within, my friends. Reagan was truly passionate about defeating communism, defending America, and inspiring Americans. And Obama? He looks like a college student hoping to pass a public speaking course.

Wall Street having doubts about the Savior

We all know Main Street isn't happy about President Obama and his economic policies so far, but one has to wonder how Wall Street sees him. A lot of these bankers and hedge fund managers voted for Obama, thinking he'd be more like Clinton. Now there's a sense of voters' regret...

Human rights matter less in global economic crisis

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton didn't mention a word about human rights when she visited China, which is somewhat unusual traditionally. Instead she claimed that by pressing Beijing on human rights issues, she might tick the Communists off and risk them to abandon U.S. treasuries. That would be terrible in the current economic meltdown, wouldn't it?

Unfortunately, the lack of vocal support for human rights on her first visit to China since taking office has a deafening effect, especially to those jailed and harassed because of their dissent. America, land of the free, is more concerned about Wall Street than championing human rights around the world.

Kowtowing to China

Seriously, are we this desperate?

Our Secretary of State Hillary Clinton just short of begging Beijing to keep on buying up U.S. debt in order to finance President Obama's massive, high fat, high cholesterol pork plan.

Soon China will not only produce your TVs, computers, shoes, shirts, utensils, etc., but also American roads, bridges, school buildings, and broadband access!

And the new N.Y. Senator is...

Albany is abuzz with Gov. Paterson's pick for New York's senate seat to replace now Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Caroline Kennedy's out of the race. Democrats predict State A.G. Andrew Cuomo.

But looks like Paterson throws a curve ball -- it's Kirsten Gillibrand, considered by many to be a moderate Democrat. She's won elections with the backing of the National Rifle Association and opposition to TARP.

Democratic activists are already protesting the selection and planning to unseat her in the next election.

Obama silence on Gaza war irks many

Oh yes, the silence is deafening. President-elect Obama has remained muted in light of the recent conflict in Gaza between Israel and Hamas. Also not a word from his choice for Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton. And same with Joe Biden, his V.P. with mountains of foreign policies experience.

It's starting to make many Obama supporters uncomfortable, like Simon Tisdall of The Guardian, even though he's hit the nail on the head:

Regional critics claim Obama is happy to break his pre-inauguration "no comment" rule on international issues when it suits him. They note his swift condemnation of November's terrorist attacks in Mumbai. Obama has also made frequent policy statements on mitigating the impact of the global credit crunch.

Exactly. Obama the politician at his best. He knows far too well that Israel is doing the right thing, but he's scared to piss off the pro-Palestinian/Hamas liberals (I'm betting the majority of them voted for Obama/Biden). He doesn't even have the guts to follow President Bush in voicing support of Israel, one of America's most staunch allies.

Clinton Foundation received nearly $500M, largely from foreigners

Obama required Bill Clinton to release the list of donor names to his library and foundation in order for Hillary to get the Secretary of State job. And now we know why he didn't release this information when his wife was running for president: conflicts of interest galore!

Lots of money flowed in from Arab governments in the Middle East, especially from Saudi Arabia, world's largest oil producer and home to many Islamic terrorists. If Hillary becomes the Secretary, how can she be impartial to mediations and negotiations in that region, knowing that the Arab governments donated millions and millions of dollars to her husband's organization?

Then there's also the curious case of $250,000 from Denise Rich, ex-wife of pardoned white-collar criminal Marc Rich. President Clinton pardoned Rich in the last hours of his office. Would the donation have something to do with it?

Kennedy off to a bad start in N.Y. senate bid

American politics have changed into a rougher and tougher sport. Just having a Kennedy name doesn't automatically catapult a person to Congress, as we've found out that having a Clinton name doesn't automatically elect a person to the White House. Caroline Kennedy has publicly declared interest in filling Hillary Clinton's senate seat in New York, and she's already touring the state to garner support (and headlines).

Unfortunately for her, she went upstate to meet with mayors and reporters, but her lack of political experience exposed her as the downtown city elite that she is. John Riley of Newsday.com writes:

It's true that NY is, nominally, a Democratic state. But upstate success is a recent phenomenon, and with no economic improvement despite endless promises from Hillary Clinton, Chuck Schumer, Eliot Spitzer and David Paterson, that worm may be ready to turn. Al D'Amato won three terms in the Senate by nurturing class and cultural resentments against Manhattanites with accomplishments like Javits, Holtzman, Green and Abrams.

In what way doesn't Caroline Kennedy fit that mold, without the accomplishments?

Best of luck, Caroline...

More Clinton helpers in Obama team

Betty Currie, President Clinton's personal secretary, now helps answering the phone of transition team co-chairman, John Podesta. Podesta, of course, used to be Clinton's White House chief of staff.

Clintons Have A New Grip on Everything (CHANGE), indeed!

Emanuel had talks with Blagojevich's aides

All right, so Obama was correct in saying that none of his aides discussed the vacant Illinois senate seat with Gov. Rod Blagojevich. The truth is that Rahm Emanuel had such discussions with Blagojevich's aides. So technically Obama didn't lie.

Being a product of the Chicago political machine and considering his past (and current) questionable associates like Bill Ayers and Jeremiah Wright, I would not be a bit surprised if he gets in trouble one of these days. Plus, I really don't think the Clintons would mind bringing him down, either.

The immediate tasks following Obama's presidency may not be dealing with the economy and foreign policy, but rather hiding and avoiding skeletons in the closets of his inner circle.

New York may get a Sen. Kennedy

With Sen. Hillary Clinton leaving the Senate to become the new Secretary of State, rumor has it that New York Gov. David Paterson may appoint Caroline Kennedy to fill in the seat. And she's said to be considering it.

Transition of power in the Internet Age

President-elect Obama's staff has some talented, young, and energized people, and they grew up in the Internet Age where instant messages are preferred and Facebook usage is a must. But that also presents a challenge for the transition team.

The latest embarrassment comes from his Director of Speechwriting, Jon Favreau, a talented 27-year-old, a graduate of The College of the Holy Cross in 2003. Apparently some compromising party photos surfaced on Facebook with him and a cardboard cutout of Hillary Clinton.

And no need to find those photos. Obviously they have been removed to prevent further negative publicity to the Obama transition team.

Calls for Bill to replace Hillary in Senate

Some people would like to see a Clinton replaced by another Clinton. Now that Hillary will be Obama's Secretary of State, it's up to New York Governor David Paterson, a Democrat, to appoint a replacement to serve out Hillary's term. Other high-profile contenders include Caroline Kennedy and her cousin, Robert Kennedy, Jr. I doubt the Democratic leaders would like Bill to enter the Senate. That would turn the Senate into a drawn-out soap opera...

CHANGE in Obama's economic plan

Clintons Have A New Grip on Everything, now even in Obama's choice for economic posts: Timothy Geithner as Treasury Secretary, Lawrence Summers as senior White House economics advisor, Christina Romer as chair of Council of Economic Advisors, and Peter Orszag as budget director. All these folks are apprentices of Robert Rubin, Clinton's Treasury Secretary.

CHANGE we can believe in

CHANGE is starting to mean "Clintons Have A New Grip on Everything," as Obama continues to tap personalities close with Clinton for his cabinet. The next four years may turn out to be the Clintons' third term.

But seriously, is this any surprise? This not only underscores Clintons' influence in the Democrat Party, but also reflects Obama's dire need for experienced politicians to help his administration.

Ted Stevens loses senate race

Sen. Ted Stevens has lost re-election in Alaska, defeated by Democratic challenger Mark Begich. Sen. Stevens was the longest running Republican senator in Washington.

Now the Democrats have 58 seats in the Senate. The Georgia runoff race between Saxby Chambliss (R) and Jim Martin (D) is attracting attention from the top. Former President Bill Clinton is said to be in Georgia to rally for Martin, while Republican heavyweights John McCain and Mike Huckabee are gathering support for Chambliss.

More chatter about Hillary as State Secretary

I agree with most of what Thomas Friedman writes in NYT, except his description of the effectiveness of Condoleezza Rice's diplomatic efforts under President Bush: "Condoleezza Rice had a close relationship with Bush, but Bush had no coherent worldview to animate her diplomacy, so all her travels added up to less than the sum of their miles." On the contrary, Bush had a clear worldview, it was just one that many like Mr. Friedman doesn't agree with. Bush vowed to promote democracy around the globe, fight terrorists in any way, and if other nations weren't on board with us, then they weren't our friends. What's incoherent about that?

And it seems that Hillary is taking her sweet time in giving Obama an answer. Can't really blame her -- now she failed to become president, she's planning on what to do for the next few years.