from FreakingNews.com
FDR had radio; Kennedy had TV; Obama will tap the Web. The Obama campaign will keep its list of some 10 million supporters and build from there as it creates a new, Web-savvy White House communications operation. Check out the Obama transition Web site, where members of the public can share their own vision of the country’s future (under the idealistic sub-heading of “Open Government”). What might direct Web-based communication from the White House look like? Expect blogs, e-mail, and text messages for those on the list, and maybe even display and video ads targeted to specific geographic regions or running next to news stories relevant to policies for which the White House needs to drum up support. Used well, it could mean more open government. But technology alone is no guarantee.
Black comedians are testing the waters, like, with an assassination joke. Tommy Davidson told the audience at Comedy Union in Los Angeles that he would do a bit on President-elect Barack Obama’s inauguration speech, and almost immediately they heard a fake gunshot and he went down. Some laughed, others didn’t know how to react. It’s all part of an awkward new phase for black comedians, who traditionally find the funny by venting about inequity but who now don’t want to spoil the hope and optimism inspired by Obama’s presidency, according to one African American Studies professor. They may be treading lightly for a while.
Good cop, bad cop: Biden’s role is clearer now. With a tough, foul-mouthed Democrat as chief of staff (that’s Rahm Emanuel), and since Democrats will not have a filibuster-proof majority in Congress, the Obama administration will need to rely on good cop Vice President-elect Joe Biden to cross the aisle and smooth negotiations when needed. Meanwhile, Obama will likely spend the first one to two years of his presidency collaborating with three core Bush appointees: Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Michael Mullen, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, and FBI Director Robert S. Mueller III.
The middle class will get tax cuts sooner, not later, according to Obama chief of staff Rahm Emanuel. That also means taxes will be raised for those making more than $250,000. However, Obama supporters probably shouldn’t hold their breath that all of his more sweeping proposals, such as near-universal healthcare, will happen as quickly.
Toppled titan AIG will get another government bailout. The amount of rescue money has increased to $150 billion from what was originally an $85 billion bailout, but the rules have changed a bit. The new plan involves direct investment rather than assuming debt, and the company’s top executives now face salary and bonus limits.
Tags: A.I.G., fireside web chats, government bailout, joe biden, obama, tax cuts