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Wait! We're Not Done with Bush Yet...

3:18 PM, January 19, 2009 | Comments (25)
Celebratory is a safe way to describe the mood in Washington. And not just for Barack Obama's big day on Tuesday. When Obama raises his right hand, it will mark for millions of his supporters the end of something else. At Dupont Circle in Northwest Washington,...

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Posted Tuesday, January 20, 2009 5:44 PM

The Cabinet, With One Major Exception

Daniel Stone
Immediately after the inaugural luncheon, a majority of the senate met in the chamber for a brief session before the inaugural parade and tonight's festivities. Several minutes into the session (and after a brief moment of silence for Senator Edward Kennedy, who suffered a seizure during the lunch), majority leader Harry Reid turned the chamber toward business.

"President Obama has nominated a cabinet of exceptionally bright and capable people as indicated by the support from all over America," he said..."So I ask unanimous consent that the senate proceed to the executive session to consider nominations."

With unanimous consent, the body then confirmed the following seven nominees:

Steven Chu: secretary of energy
Arne Duncan: secretary of education
Janet Napolitano: secretary of homeland security
Peter Orszag: director of the office of management and budget
Ken Salazar: secretary of the interior
Eric Shinseki: secretary of veterans affairs
Tom Vilsack: secretary of agriculture

The one name noticeably missing from the list is Hillary Clinton, Obama's appointee to be secretary of state. Early Tuesday, Texas Republican Senator John Cornyn raised objections to a speedy approval of Clinton, indicating that he had further questions he wanted answered regarding the donors to Bill Clinton's foundation. With senate confirmations, a single objection can hold up a vote on an appointee. A spokesperson for Reid said that Hillary's nomination will be voted on shortly, as early as tomorrow.

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Member Comments

Posted By: Barisha (January 21, 2009 at 6:26 PM)

Congrats Hillary! I know you will do a great job.

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Posted By: Barisha (January 21, 2009 at 3:15 PM)

I was a Hillary Clinton suppoter for President. I am still getting over the fact that she lost, but now her name position as Secretary of State is being voted against.I am very upset.

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