Thursday, December 11, 2008

Short Takes

#5: Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. is named as “Senate Candidate #5” in the Blagojevich investigation. So much for him moving up to the Senate.

Wingers Gleeful: The righties are all twitterpated because Barack Obama and Rod Blagojevich are both politicians from Illinois.

Energy Team: Obama will name Steven Chu his choice for Energy secretary, Lisa Jackson for EPA administrator and Carol Browner as energy “czar” reporting to the president.

Jindal Says No: Louisiana governor Bobby Jindal says he won’t run for president in 2012.

Stalling Out: The House passes the auto bailout, but it might need jumper cables to clear the Senate.

Cuts at NPR: National Public Radio will lay off 64 staff members.

Some of those losing their jobs are veteran NPR voices, such as Ketzel Levine, an NPR reporter since 1977, and Vicky O’Hara, an editor and former diplomatic correspondent with 26 years on the job. Others include “News & Notes” host Farai Chideya, “Day to Day” host Madeleine Brand, Washington reporter Libby Lewis, entertainment-industry correspondent Kim Masters and national reporter John McChesney.

Medal Round: President Bush awards Presidential Medal of Freedom to everybody, including Gary Sinise and Watergate plotter Chuck Colson. Hey, where’s mine?