Barack Obama: Latest News on the Former President - Page 158

Heady Times for
DC Hookers,
Coke Dealers

Jan 19, 2009 10:28 AM CST

Heady Times for DC Hookers, Coke Dealers

Both are booming as tourists flock to inauguration

(Newser) - Barack Obama has already done his part to boost the economy—for Washington’s prostitutes and drug dealers, who tell New York they’re experiencing quite the boom in business thanks to inauguration travelers. Some prostitutes came into town specifically for the event and are already “pretty booked up;...

Obama Has Rare Chance to Push Agenda With Recovery

ANALYSIS

Jan 19, 2009 10:16 AM CST

Obama Has Rare Chance to Push Agenda With Recovery

Riding a wave of popularity, the president-elect hopes to act quickly on economy

(Newser) - If there's a silver lining to the profound economic crisis President-elect Barack Obama is stepping into, the New York Times reports, it's that the recovery plan that's taking shape under his direction affords him an unprecedented chance to address his most ambitious campaign promises right out of the blocks. Riding...

Obama More Popular Than Ever

Jan 19, 2009 10:08 AM CST

Obama More Popular Than Ever

Despite Richardson, Geithner, Panetta flaps, 84% approve of transition

(Newser) - Barack Obama’s popularity is at an all-time high, a CNN poll finds, with 84% approving of his transition—up 2% from December despite Bill Richardson’s resignation, Timothy Geithner’s tax issues, and the widely panned Leon Panetta pick. “You know the country is in the middle of...

First Lady Is Hot,
and Celebs
Love It

Jan 19, 2009 9:48 AM CST

First Lady Is Hot, and Celebs Love It

Michelle is 'bringing it,' Star Jones applauds

(Newser) - Michelle Obama is bringing sexy back … to the White House, the New York Daily News reports. “She is a straight-up beautiful African-American woman and you all better step back,” said Star Jones, while singer Monica declared, “She can pull off anything she wants.” TV host...

MLK's Dream
Now a Reality:
69% of Blacks

Jan 19, 2009 9:28 AM CST

MLK's Dream Now a Reality: 69% of Blacks

Majority of blacks say King's vision fulfilled; whites more skeptical

(Newser) - More than two-thirds of African Americans believe that the goals set out in Martin Luther King Jr's "I Have a Dream" speech have been met, a CNN poll finds. That number has doubled since last March, to 69% from 34%. Although whites seem to still think race relations have...

Obama Invites Hero Pilot to Inauguration

Jan 19, 2009 9:19 AM CST

Obama Invites Hero Pilot to Inauguration

Sullenberger will reunite with family in Washington

(Newser) - The pilot of downed US Airways Flight 1549 has received a personal invitation to tomorrow’s inauguration from Barack Obama, the San Jose Mercury News reports. The event will also give Chesley Sullenberger, who gained national-hero status for guiding the damaged plane to safety, a chance to see his wife...

London City Hall Will Fly US Flag Tomorrow

Jan 19, 2009 8:09 AM CST

London City Hall Will Fly US Flag Tomorrow

Mayor tips hat to Obama inauguration with Old Glory

(Newser) - Tomorrow morning, while Washington sleeps, the mayor of London will celebrate the inauguration of Barack Obama by hoisting the American flag at city hall. Boris Johnson, a Conservative born in New York who publicly supported Obama during the campaign, will raise the flag himself, reports the Guardian. A rep...

This Picture Is Worth $6K

Jan 19, 2009 8:02 AM CST

This Picture Is Worth $6K

Leaders traditionally release limited number of pictures

(Newser) - When the five current, former, and future occupants of the Oval Office mugged together at the White House last week, one could almost hear the cash registers cha-chinging, reports Politico. All five will sign a limited 250 copies of the photo—with each keeping 50—instantly jacking the value to...

Randy Inaugural Crowds Lookin' for Love on Craigslist

Jan 19, 2009 6:55 AM CST

Randy Inaugural Crowds Lookin' for Love on Craigslist

Craigslist users offer suites, invitations for kink

(Newser) - Frisky Democrats are angling for more than just ringside seats at tomorrow's inauguration—they're flooding Craigslist in search of a little side action, reports Gawker. One poster first thanks his congresswoman for tickets, then pleads: "I want to make this even better by getting kinky," hopefully in a...

Obama Turning to
McCain for Advice

Jan 19, 2009 6:30 AM CST

Obama Turning to McCain for Advice

Former rival is honored guest at inauguration party

(Newser) - Not only is John McCain in town for Barack Obama's inauguration, he's the guest of honor at an event celebrating it, reports the New York Times. In fact, the president-elect has been discreetly consulting his former rival—the one Obama said America can't trust on the Iraq war—on Iraq,...

Inauguration Becomes
De Facto Holiday

Jan 19, 2009 3:12 AM CST

Inauguration Becomes De Facto Holiday

Experts say celebrations will boost worker morale

(Newser) - Employers nationwide are bracing for a new slowdown, but they're excited about this one, reports USA Today. Thousands of workers nationwide are expected to take the day off tomorrow to watch the inauguration—or watch with co-workers in office parties. Companies are wise to grant the time off, since the...

Rapper, 6, Touts
Obama to Peeps

Jan 19, 2009 2:49 AM CST

Rapper, 6, Touts Obama to Peeps

YouTube hit makes campaign volunteer shortie a star

(Newser) - Though the historical context of Barack Obama's victory may be lost on "Lil Yani," the president-elect has made the 6-year-old very proud—enough to produce a rap tribute that's fast becoming an online hit, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. Like the other upbeat raps from the charismatic Californian,...

Obama Has Met
Only Half of Rick Warren

Opinion

Jan 19, 2009 1:51 AM CST

Obama Has Met Only Half of Rick Warren

Evangelical's split personality includes 'bland Pastor Rick' and arch conservative

(Newser) - Evangelical Rick Warren has fooled many Americans, Barack Obama included, with his lifelong attempt at creating a double personality, Amy Sullivan writes in Time. There's Pastor Rick—the apparently progressive anti-poverty, concerned-about-AIDS persona Obama invited to deliver the inaugural invocation, and there's the divisive staunch conservative the president-elect should quickly...

Growing Obama Security
to Peak at Inauguration

Jan 18, 2009 8:20 PM CST

Growing Obama Security to Peak at Inauguration

Tuesday's event will present ultimate security challenge

(Newser) - Two years of improving security for Barack Obama will climax at his swearing-in on Tuesday, the Washington Post reports. The president-elect will address the nation from behind a 5-ton bulletproof curtain as more than 23,000 police and National Guard troops stand guard. Road, river, and air traffic will be...

Obama's Crew
Abounds With Expats

Jan 18, 2009 7:44 PM CST

Obama's Crew Abounds With Expats

Experiences abroad make for good policies at home, advisers say

(Newser) - If you’re seeking a job in the Obama administration, you may want to get out more—way out, Newsweek reports. Like the president-elect, many of his advisers have lived in other countries. Top aide Valerie Jarrett was born in Iran and has traveled widely, mixing with Europeans, Arabs, and...

Team Obama Told to Ditch Instant Messaging

Jan 18, 2009 6:15 PM CST

Team Obama Told to Ditch Instant Messaging

Obama's staffers give up their favorite lifeline

(Newser) - Team Obama will be chatting in the hall and by phone, Politico reports, because instant messaging just got the boot. Lawyers told them this week that programs like AIM and GChat, still staples of their daily operations, can't be used in the White House. "They just told us flat...

Mr. President, Tell Us a Story

analysis

Jan 18, 2009 5:53 PM CST

Mr. President, Tell Us a Story

Will Obama’s inaugural speech use a tale to inspire a spirit of collective sacrifice?

(Newser) - On the campaign trail, Barack Obama often punctuated his speeches with personal stories about a campaign volunteer or a city councilwoman. With the world ready to watch Obama’s inauguration speech Tuesday, John Dickerson wonders in Slate what stories Obama will tell to rekindle a sense of unity. "The...

Obama
'Has 4 Years
to Save Planet'

Jan 18, 2009 5:00 PM CST

Obama 'Has 4 Years to Save Planet'

Environmental crisis at tipping point—and US must show way

(Newser) - Carbon levels are skyrocketing, ice caps are melting, and global flooding is on its way if Barack Obama doesn’t do something about it, and quickly, a NASA scientist says. Top climate expert Jim Hansen says it’s crucial that within 4 years the next president change America—the world’...

'Anything Possible,'
Obama Tells Crowd

Jan 18, 2009 4:10 PM CST

'Anything Possible,' Obama Tells Crowd

(Newser) - Two days away from the White House, Barack Obama joined a vast throng today at a roaring, rollicking pre-inauguration celebration staged before marble monuments to past heroes. "Anything is possible in America," he said. "Despite the enormity of the task that lies ahead—I stand here today...

Crowds Thrill to 'Obamastock'

Jan 18, 2009 3:00 PM CST