h/t Firedoglake

Michael Steele's acceptance speech after winning the election for RNC Chairman.

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An interesting choice:

Former Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael Steele beat out South Carolina GOP chief Katon Dawson in the sixth round of voting at Fridays Republican National Committee meeting Friday, becoming the first African-American chairman of the party.

The two Republicans fought for the national party chairmanship Friday after Mike Duncan, former President George W. Bush's hand-picked national GOP chief, abandoned his re-election bid in the fact of dwindling support.

Duncan's departure ensured a fresh face at the beleaguered GOP's helm as Republicans seek to rebound from back-to-back defeats in national elections that gave Democrats control of Congress and the White House.

I have to admit I'm surprised. I thought Republicans would find the Deep Southern credentials of Katon Dawson, the Dixie-loving South Carolina chair, irresistible like catnip.

Well, there may be an upside: Conservatives, you would hope, will now at last retire the "Barack the Magic Negro" schtick.

Then again, they aren't the most self-aware bunch, are they?

January 29, 2009 C-SPAN Washington Journal

(full disclosure: I work for the Courage Campaign)

California faces financial "Armageddon," as Arnold Schwarzenegger bluntly stated a few weeks ago. And yet Arnold and his fellow Republicans rejected compromises by Democrats to rescue our state from a catastrophic budget crisis, unparalleled in the history of California.

Because of the ridiculous 2/3rds budget rule -- the super-majority required to pass a budget in the California state legislature -- and Arnold's failure to deliver even one vote from a small cabal of obstructionist Republicans, Californians may be getting IOUs in the mail next month instead of financial aid checks or tax refunds.

Many Californians are so overwhelmed by this paralyzing crisis that they've just tuned it out. As a result, Arnold is not being held accountable for his failure to lead.

That's why the Courage Campaign decided to try something a bit unorthodox -- raise awareness by using humor to highlight the absurdity of these IOU's, or what we are calling "Arnoldbucks."

We asked one of our members to see what would happen if he tried to use "Arnoldbucks" as legal tender at a few businesses in the area. You won't believe what happened. It's all caught on camera -- even a few security cams.

Watch the video and then spread the word and spread the Arnoldbucks. Download your own Arnoldbucks by clicking the image for a .pdf. Got any ideas on how you would use your Arnoldbucks, or other kind of actions we should take with Arnoldbucks? Let us know!

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President Obama (never get sick of typing that) has some strong words for the Wall Street companies who, per the New York Times' reporting, rewarded their incompetence with a whopping $18.4 billion in bonuses last year.

AP:

"Outrageous."

That's President Barack Obama's one-word reaction to a report that Wall Street employees got more than $18 billion in bonuses last year.

Said Obama: "That is the height of irresponsibility. It is shameful."

The president said he and new Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner will have direct conversations with corporate leaders to make the point.

Obama said there is a time for corporate leaders to make profits and get paid bonuses but now is "not that time."

"Outrageous" is precisely the word. The same people who two months ago came to Congress with hats in hand and took a boatload of taxpayer money are now doling out billions in "bonuses"? Bonuses? Aren't you supposed to get a bonus when you do something well?

Reuters is reporting that President Obama is considering choosing New Hampshire Republican Senator Judd Gregg to be his Secretary of Commerce.

Reuters:

President Barack Obama is considering picking Republican Senator Judd Gregg of New Hampshire as commerce secretary, a Democratic source said on Thursday.

The source, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the selection process, said Obama and his aides "are definitely looking at Gregg. It's not a done deal, but they're asking key senators if he would be acceptable."

Gregg was mum on whether he was being considered for the post, telling Reuters, "I have no comment."

If the speculation is true and Gregg accepts, Democratic NH Governor John Lynch would get to fill the seat. This means, of course, that once Norm Coleman acknowledges defeat and Senator Al Franken is sworn in, the Dems would reach super-majority status and render meaningless the entire Republican Party. The best part: Obama would score some useful "bipartisan" points, even after getting slapped in the face by the entire GOP House caucus. How's that for some brilliant political maneuvering? This is defintely one to keep an eye on.

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You Tube

Rachel Maddow talks to Michael Isikoff about Rove's newest assertions of executive privilege and Bush trying to give him preemptive immunity from having to respond to Congressional subpoenas. For more on the subject you can read Isikoff's article at Newsweek here.

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On Neil Cavuto's Fox News show yesterday, Michelle Malkin tried to appeal to Republicans', ah, base instincts in how they deal with the Obama economic-stimulus plan:

Malkin: I've heard from so many grassroots conservatives who have, ah, managed expectations but still, fairly high ones, that in the wake of the House Republican, uh, holding the line yesterday, that the Senate Republicans will stiffen up their spines and other parts of their body as well.

Cavuto: Careful, this is a family show.

Of course, Malkin views obstruction as their duty, so obviously impugning their virility should they stray seems the natural right-wing thing to do. And I'm sure it'll be very persuasive.

Just wondering, though: Does this mean Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe are excused?

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One of the funnier Word segments I've seen from Stephen in a while now. He rips up the House Republicans for voting against the stimulus bill in a way only he can.

Last night---last night's party line vote was a great start for the 111th Congress. But these hard times demand an even larger meaningless gesture. That is why I am calling on every Republican who voted against this bill to put no money where your mouth is. Refuse to accept a single penny of the eight hundred billion dollars for your Congressional district.

Think of it---think of it---think of it like a hunger strike. Then---then just sit back and watch in glee as the Democrats face the wrath of their constituents suffering as the eight hundred billion dollars tears through their districts like a force five cash-o-cane.

It won't be easy but you are fighting for a principle. If we can't have a perfect bill to stimulate the economy you'd rather have no economy at all. And that's the Word.

January 29, 2009 C-SPAN Washington Journal