Coleman again taking recount to court

Posted by admin under CNN Political Ticker

Is Blagojevich playing a game of racial ‘chicken’?

Posted by admin under CNN Political Ticker

NH: What in 2008 has the most impact on 2009?

Posted by admin under Politicker.com

The year 2008 brought many fun memories for New Hampshire political junkies. From Hillary's tear in Portsmouth to the Gary Dodds-Leland Eisenberg showdown to even watching House Speaker Norelli change out disloyal committee chairs in December. And let's not forget one of the more interesting U.S. Senate races the state has seen in 30 years. But putting aside a list of the more interesting events, let's examine a different question: what 2008 event has most political impact on 2009?

Clintons to ring in the New Year in Times Square

Posted by admin under CNN Political Ticker

CNN Poll: Obama leadership rates high as Bush’s after 9/11

Posted by admin under CNN Political Ticker

NY: 2008 Roundup Roundup

Posted by admin under Politicker.com

Journalists like end of the year round ups, so here's a quick round up of round ups.
The top 10 DVDs of the year, courtesy of the Middletown THR.
A year of Western NY politics from Buffalo Pundit.
And the Buffalo News seems exasperated with all the (mostly bad) news.
The Times Union counted down, concluding the tanking economy was the year's top story.
Gawker has the worst moments of the financial collapse.
Gothamist has the year in food.
The Syracuse Post-Standard listed "reporting that made a difference."
City Room has highs and lows.
Gowanus Lounge has Brooklyn's top stories.
Newsday made a slideshow of front pages.
Transom recaps the year in culture.

NY: Bloomberg’s Non-Opposition to Obama

Posted by admin under Politicker.com

Kevin Sheekey is making an argument for Caroline Kennedy in the Senate on the grounds that she endorsed Barack Obama, while the New York Democratic establishment "turned its back” on him.
But what about Sheekey’s boss, Michael Bloomberg, who did not endorse any candidate during the presidential primaries or during the general election?
Bloomberg aides don't see much of a contradiction in the positions, or an issue.
Over email, spokesman Stu Loeser said, “With the exception of handful of State and City legislators, Mike Bloomberg is the only office holder at any level in New York City who did not endorse against the incoming President."
Sheekey, also over email, elaborated on his remarks this morning. He wrote: “Wake up. This isn’t about politics or political parties but about who can best work with Barack Obama to deliver for New York.”

NY: Paterson Makes Two Pardons

Posted by admin under Politicker.com

ALBANY—Out of the 450 inmates in the state who applied for a New Year's reprieve, David Paterson commuted the sentences of two.
Freddie Warren, 56, is serving 20 years to life on a drug dealing charge. Incarcerated since 1990, he has spent 400 hours learning American Sign Language. He would be eligible for parole in June.
Joanne Carroll, 43, is serving a 15 year sentence for robbery. She has earned an associate's and bachelor's degree while in prison. She would be eligible for parole in June.
An advocate of reforming the state's drug laws called on Paterson to make a pardon earlier this week.
Warren and Carroll will go before the Parole Board in January, which will determine their eligibility for release.

Obama’s Hawaiian Christmas to be followed by quiet island New Year

Posted by admin under CNN Political Ticker

MA: PolitickerMA.com’s Top Political Stories of 2008

Posted by admin under Politicker.com

As we prepare to ring in the New Year, we here a PolitickerMA.com took a few moments to reflect on what has been an eventful 2008. After surveying several political insiders and observers, here is our breakdown of the Top 11 - cause we couldn't stop at 10 - political stories of the past year.
What did we leave out? The comments section awaits below.
Happy New Year.
Former state Sen. Dianne Wilkerson and Boston City Councilor Chuck Turner arrested on corruption charges - This one almost goes without saying and, in many ways, sums up a year that was marked by corruption and scandal. Wilkerson and Turner's arrest "cast a cloud over our entire system," one insider told PolitickerMA.com. "For regular folks in tough times, their faith gets shaken."
Of course, in addition to Wilkerson (who resigned from the State Senate) and Turner (who has fiercely refused to resign from the City Council), state Sen. James Marzilli was arrested for allegedly harassing multiple women in Lowell and later resigned only after it was discovered he represented the State Senate at an environmental panel in Germany. And who can forget about Middlesex Register of Probate John Buonomo's resignation after being charged for stealing change from copy machines.
DiMasi's connections to Vitale fuel battle to become the next speaker - The ongoing saga surrounding House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi and his relationship with confidant and accountant Richard Vitale has become the top issue going into the new year. Vitale has been indicted for allegedly illegally lobbying on behalf of a ticket brokers' association by improperly contacting DiMasi. On top of that, a federal grand jury is now investigating the awarding of a multi-million dollar state contract to Cognos ULC, which reportedly paid Vitale to lobby on its behalf. Uncertainly surrounding how secure DiMasi's re-election as speaker next year has begun to crop up, and state Reps. Robert DeLeo (D-Winthrop) and John Rogers (D-Norwood) have been actively (and publicly) working to secure enough support to be the next speaker, though many observers say Rogers was wounded by his own ethical problems.
U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy's battle with brain cancer - When the Hyannis Port Democrat and Liberal Lion of the Senate fell ill this year, the state rallied around him. Kennedy, who has served in the Senate for more than 40 years, gave a rousing speech at the Democratic National Convention and has since reduced his workload to focus on health care reform in the next Congress as he continues treatment.