http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/ussenate/ en-us Wed, 3 Dec 2008 03:45:03 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2141914/posts Sen. Mel Martinez's announcement Tuesday that he would not seek a second term immediately set off speculation about possible candidates for his seat. The following is a look at people who have indicated interest or are the subject of speculation: Republicans - Former Gov. Jeb Bush. He is seriously considering a run and party and elected officials from Florida and beyond are encouraging him, according to a former political adviser who spoke on condition of anonymity because Bush is not ready to publicly discuss his plans. But for now, the official word from spokeswoman Kristy Campbell is this: "Governor Bush... The Miami Herald http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2141914/posts#comment Wed, 3 Dec 2008 03:45:03 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2141857/posts ATLANTA – Georgia Sen. Saxby Chambliss has won re-election in a runoff, dashing Democratic hopes of capturing enough Senate seats to thwart Republican filibusters. AP on Yahoo http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2141857/posts#comment Wed, 3 Dec 2008 02:04:01 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2141488/posts The Capitol Visitors Center, which opened this morning, may have tripled its original budget and fallen years behind schedule, but Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid found a silver lining for members of Congress: tourists won't offend them with their B.O. anymore. "My staff tells me not to say this, but I'm going to say it anyway," said Reid in his remarks. "In the summer because of the heat and high humidity, you could literally smell the tourists coming into the Capitol. It may be descriptive but it's true." But it's no longer going to be true, noted Reid, thanks to... The Examiner, Washington, DC http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2141488/posts#comment Tue, 2 Dec 2008 16:36:23 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2141483/posts The head of a new congressional panel set up to monitor the gigantic U.S. government bailout says the government still does not seem to have a coherent strategy for easing the financial crisis, despite the billions it has already spent in that effort. Elizabeth Warren, the chairwoman of the oversight panel, said in an interview Monday that the government instead seemed to be lurching from one tactic to the next without clarifying how each step fits into an overall plan. The International Herald Tribune http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2141483/posts#comment Tue, 2 Dec 2008 16:29:43 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2141003/posts WASHINGTON, Dec. 1 (UPI) -- U.S. Senate Democrats say they likely will have a working filibuster-proof majority on key issues that could give early wins for President-elect Barack Obama. Although the number of Democrats remains unknown -- two Senate races are undecided -- vote-counters indicate support from Republican moderates will free up bills such as healthcare reform or immigration reform halted by the current Congress by GOP maneuvering, The Washington Post (NYSE:WPO) reported Monday. Democrats picked up seven Republican seats in last month's election to add to their majority when the next Congress convenes in January. In the current Congress,... UPI http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2141003/posts#comment Mon, 1 Dec 2008 20:59:28 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2140985/posts Public Policy Polling of North Carolina has released a final poll of the U.S. Senate runoff, giving Republican incumbent Saxby Chambliss a “solid” 53 percent lead over Democrat Jim Martin, who weighs in at 46 percent. But PPP also attaches a caveat. The survey of 1,276 likely voters was conducted Nov. 29 and 30, and has a margin of error of plus-or-minus 2.7 percent. Here are two cogent paragraphs from the PPP analysis: Chambliss is up 71-28 on Jim Martin with whites. For Martin to win the runoff with that performance, the electorate would have to be 34% African American.... Atlanta Journal-Constitution http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2140985/posts#comment Mon, 1 Dec 2008 20:27:22 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2139420/posts Sen. John McCain avoided reporters during the lame-duck session of Congress last week. But Tuesday, shortly after President-elect Obama had his own news conference about the economy, McCain broke his silence by speaking with reporters in Phoenix. This came after the two former contenders met last week, and Tuesday, McCain continued to make nice. When asked what advice he had for right-wing supporters who say the prospect of an Obama presidency terrifies them, he was categorical. "Respect this landmark election, respect the fact America faces great challenges, and Americans expect us to work together. That does not mean we won't... NPR http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2139420/posts#comment Fri, 28 Nov 2008 04:37:55 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2138477/posts November 25, 2008, 9:45 a.m. Opposed to Holder without ApologyThe shameful pardons are disqualifying. By Andrew C. McCarthy I’ll concede this much to Lanny Davis: Last Friday night, during our Hannity & Colmes debate over President-Elect Barack Obama’s selection of Eric Holder to be the next Attorney General, Davis said (or I should say, screeched) that I’d soon be apologizing, and he’s right. I am sorry that our discussion degenerated into a screaming match. That’s wince-making television that doesn’t edify anyone. So I do apologize to anyone who had to endure that segment. But Davis’s hysterical suggestion that I... National Review Online http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2138477/posts#comment Wed, 26 Nov 2008 03:51:24 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2137815/posts A loyal family friend was appointed to Vice President-elect Joe Biden’s vacant Senate seat Monday as an apparent placeholder until Beau Biden can inherit it upon his return from active duty in Iraq. In one of her final acts in office, Delaware Gov. Ruth Ann Minner (D) selected Ted Kaufman, a longtime adviser and former chief of staff to the elder Biden, to be the state’s next senator. Biden (D) won election as Barack Obama’s vice presidential running mate but was simultaneously reelected to the Senate on Nov. 4. As he cannot take both jobs, there has been intense speculation... thehill.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2137815/posts#comment Tue, 25 Nov 2008 03:18:30 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2137114/posts DHAKA (AFP) — Defeated Republican US presidential candidate Senator John McCain will visit Bangladesh early next month to talk with its leaders and politicians ahead of the country's key polls. The US embassy in Dhaka said Sunday Senator McCain, who lost to Democrat Barack Obama in the November 4 US presidential election, would be accompanied by two senior congressmen, Senator Joseph Lieberman and Senator Lindsey Graham during a broader regional trip. AFP via Google http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2137114/posts#comment Sun, 23 Nov 2008 22:43:23 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2135014/posts Every Wednesday in Washington, conservatives gather in the conference room of Grover Norquist's pressure group, Americans for Tax Reform, to hash out arguments and promote their projects. The off-the-record meetings are notorious among liberals: proof of the shudder-inducing organizational powers of the right. In late September, a White House economist arrived at Norquist's salon to sell a proposed $700 billion bailout of Wall Street firms whose investments in worthless mortgage-backed securities had sparked an international financial crisis. In a tense meeting, the president's emissary was turned into a piñata. Pro-market activists and economists with decades of experience battered him with... Reason http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2135014/posts#comment Thu, 20 Nov 2008 01:32:31 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2134131/posts Sen. Joe Lieberman will keep his chairmanship of the Senate Homeland Security Committee despite hard feelings over his support for GOP nominee John McCain during the presidential campaign. The Connecticut independent will lose a panel post on the Environment and Public Works panel as punishment for criticizing Obama this fall.Lieberman's colleagues in the Democratic caucus voted 42-13 Tuesday to approve a resolution condemning statements made by Lieberman during the campaign but allowing him to keep the Homeland Security Committee gavel.Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said he had been very angry by Lieberman's actions but that "we're looking forward, we're not... AP via SFGate http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2134131/posts#comment Tue, 18 Nov 2008 20:55:29 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2134105/posts The Mac is back. After nearly two grueling years on the presidential campaign trail, Sen. John McCain, (R-Ariz.) is quietly returning to his old job in the Senate today during a week-long lame duck session. Politico http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2134105/posts#comment Tue, 18 Nov 2008 20:34:39 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2133706/posts Although he doesn't have a seat, Al Franken will have the floor Tuesday when he meets with Democratic leaders in the U.S. Senate. Franken, who is locked in a mandatory recount of the Nov. 4 balloting with Republican incumbent Sen. Norm Coleman, will update Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., and others on the recount process, said his spokeswoman, Colleen Murray. The Senate leaders and the candidate also will talk about upcoming legislation, she said. "If he should win this election, it would be irresponsible for him not to get ready to take office," she said. "Minnesota deserves a senator... StarTribune http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2133706/posts#comment Mon, 17 Nov 2008 20:11:46 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2133078/posts President-elect Barack Obama met Friday with New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson in Chicago, Democratic sources said, who is under consideration to be Secretary of State in the Obama administration. News of the meeting comes after a similar face-to-face meeting Thursday between Obama and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) sparked a day-long frenzy of speculation about the possibility that she could be Secretary of State. The Washington Post http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2133078/posts#comment Sun, 16 Nov 2008 17:20:18 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2133074/posts WASHINGTON — John McCain’s close friend and ally from South Carolina, fellow Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, will be on hand in Chicago Monday as McCain meets with his former rival, President-elect Barack Obama. Also attending will be Obama’s new chief of staff, Rep. Rahm Emanuel, D-Ill. In an interview Friday, Graham said Emanuel asked for the meeting about a week ago. “We were talking about some things that we could work together on,” Graham said. McClatchy via The State, Columbia, SC http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2133074/posts#comment Sun, 16 Nov 2008 17:12:56 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2133070/posts Lou Dobbs Tonight -- CNN -- November 14 "They're using identities of American citizens and the IRS is allowing it to happen." Casey Wian: More than 1,300 illegal aliens near Greeley, Colorado, have been using either stolen or phony Social Security numbers to receive at least $2.5 million in tax refunds, according to local law enforcement officials. (unbelievalbe video clip) Chief Jerry Garner, Greeley PD: These folks that are here illegally are victimizing American citizens by stealing their identity. Very, very often they are victimizing American citizens who are Latino. John Cooke, Weld County Sheriff: They're using identities of American... AmericanPatrol.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2133070/posts#comment Sun, 16 Nov 2008 16:57:20 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2132243/posts The cameras focused on a tearful Jesse Jackson, and the reporters seemed more interested in talking to Spike Lee, Brad Pitt and Oprah. But at Chicago’s Grant Park, when President-elect Barack Obama declared “Change has come to America,” there was another face in the crowd that Rhode Islanders would have recognized. Former U.S. Sen. Lincoln D. Chafee, the Republican-turned-independent who campaigned for Obama, was about 20 feet from the side of the stage. Chafee and his wife, Stephanie, waved to Obama’s brother-in-law, Craig Robinson, and his wife and two children. The Robinsons, who were on stage with Obama, used to... The Providence Journal, Providence, RI http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2132243/posts#comment Fri, 14 Nov 2008 20:27:12 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2132239/posts WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D., Nev.) announced Friday that he will pair an unemployment insurance extension with aid to the auto industry in lieu of a larger economic stimulus package. In a letter to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.), Sen. Reid cited a lack of Republican support for a broad economic stimulus. Democrats have previously expressed interest in passing a bill that included billions of dollars in new spending for items such as road and bridge construction, aid to states and food assistance for low-income families, but it appears that will have to wait... Wall Street Journal http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2132239/posts#comment Fri, 14 Nov 2008 20:17:46 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2132162/posts CHICAGO (Reuters) - President-elect Barack Obama will meet with his former rival, Republican Sen. John McCain, on Monday to talk about ways they can work together, an Obama spokeswoman said on Friday. The meeting between the former competitors will take place in Chicago at Obama's transition headquarters two weeks after the Democratic senator won a decisive victory over McCain in the November 4 election. It will be the first time the two have spoken since McCain called Obama to concede the election. McCain gave an emotional speech after the concession in which he promised to help his former rival address... Reuters http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2132162/posts#comment Fri, 14 Nov 2008 18:06:28 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2131893/posts Senate Republicans will decide whether or not to kick embattled Sen. Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) out of the Republican Conference at a members-only meeting on Tuesday — his 85th birthday. Republicans will meet behind closed doors at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday to decide Stevens’ fate. Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) plans to offer a motion that would oust Stevens from the Conference and take away his committee assignments. Roll Call http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2131893/posts#comment Fri, 14 Nov 2008 05:43:36 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2131830/posts Minneapolis—Miracles happen every day, but nothing more spectacular than the miracle that is developing in Minnesota—giving Al Franken what could be an insurmountable lead in his bid for the U.S. Senate. What was the astounding miracle? Simple. Five-thousand votes have been found in a toilet at the Mall of America—the mall that sits next to the Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport, and is part of the hub of the thriving Minneapolis/St. Paul communities. Elective Decisions http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2131830/posts#comment Fri, 14 Nov 2008 03:42:21 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2131780/posts On top of everything else, we don't need a filibuster-proof supermajority, controlled by Dems, in the U.S. Senate. If that happens, there won't be anybody to filibuster on limiting abortion (including forcing pro-life doctors to perform abortions), stopping the so-called "Fair"ness Doctrine, fighting against higher taxes, etc.. In Georgia, conservative Republican Sen. Saxby Chambliss is in a runoff on Dec. 2. They're still counting votes in Alaska and Minnesota, and in Minnesota they keep "finding" absentee ballots. http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2131780/posts#comment Fri, 14 Nov 2008 02:07:27 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2131622/posts WASHINGTON, Nov 13 (Reuters) - President-elect Barack Obama said he would resign his U.S. Senate seat effective on Sunday as he focuses on his transition to the White House. "It has been one of the highest honors and privileges of my life to have served the people of Illinois in the United States Senate," Obama said in a statement. Reuters http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2131622/posts#comment Thu, 13 Nov 2008 21:23:44 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2131373/posts The Republican Party will file federal lawsuits Thursday seeking to overthrow the McCain-Feingold federal campaign finance regulations, Republican National Committee Chairman Robert M. "Mike" Duncan revealed Wednesday night at a private dinner with the nation's Republican governors. The move is considered a slap in the face of the Republican Party's failed 2008 presidential candidate, Sen. John McCain of Arizona, who was dramatically outspent by Democrat Barack Obama, and of President Bush, who signed McCain-Feingold into law in 2002. "We will bring two federal suits tomorrow to strengthen the Republican Party," Mr. Duncan told The Washington Times. Mr. Duncan said one... The Washington Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2131373/posts#comment Thu, 13 Nov 2008 13:10:54 GMT