November 9, 2008 - Talking Points
November 10th, 2008
1. Obama Weighs Quick Undoing of Bush Policy
Starting with “change” to tax-funded abortions: “In January 2001, on his first full day in office, Mr. Bush reinstated the so-called global gag rule, initiated during the Reagan administration and overturned by President Bill Clinton, which prohibited taxpayer dollars from being given to international family planning groups that perform abortions and provide abortion counseling. After Mr. Obama’s victory last week, the Center for Reproductive Rights delivered a 23-page memorandum to his transition team, calling for ‘bold policy change,’ including a repeal of the gag rule.”
[NYT]
2. Bush ‘Gave Secret Orders For Al-Qaeda Attacks’
The U.S. military were reportedly authorized by Bush administration to carry out attacks in Syria, Pakistan and elsewhere since 2004.
[UK Times]
3. Obama Backs Car Industry Bailout Plea
President-elect joins Nancy Pelosi in demanding Treasury offer a financial lifeline to General Motors, Ford and Chrysler.
4. Obama Advisers Signal Republican Roles in Administration
From the Boston Globe: “Valerie Jarrett, a longtime friend to Obama who is cochairwoman of his transition team, suggested that Obama intends to appoint Republicans to his cabinet or other important posts and does not rule out keeping on Defense Secretary Robert Gates when he takes power in January.”
5. ‘In Churches, Prayer, Thanks For Obama’
Two contrasting messages from the piece: #1: “For so many years, people have said to little black boys and little black girls, you can be anything you want to be, even president of the United States,” Dickerson told the crowd. “Now they can point to a reality of a black man becoming president.” #2: “The message here is simple,” Braxton said. “Stop complaining. Get to work. No excuses.”
Were there not any other black men and women they could “point to” before Barack? Also, wasn’t the message “Stop complaining. Get to work. No excuses” just as relevant prior to November 4?
6. ‘Schwarzenegger: Proposition 8 Fight Isn’t Over’
From the story: “As protesters took to the streets for a fifth day, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger yesterday expressed hope that the California Supreme Court would overturn Proposition 8.”
7. Iranian Economists Pressuring Ahmadinejad
For a man who is “not in charge of Iran,” why would they address him?
8. Coleman vs. Franken Recount To Remain Nonpartisan
Recounting 2.9 million ballots continues.
9. The Story Behind Those Who Protest The War With Crosses
Question: How many of those who protest in this fashion actually believe in the cross they are displaying? Or is it simply a tool to cause outrage?
[LA Times]
