Daily Briefing - 1/5/07

Congratualtions to the new Members of Congress and the new leaders. Yesterday was a momentous and historic day for numerous reasons. The Democratic party wrested complete legislative power from the Republicans for the first time since 1994 (only sharing it briefly in 2001). Diverse religious representation received a boost as our nation's first Muslim congressman took the oath (on Thomas Jefferson's Koran), and the Speaker of the House, third in line to be President and arguably the most powerful legislator in the country, is finally occupied by a woman. To paraphrase a fitting quote (forgetting where it originated), the marble ceiling has been broken.

I was lucky enough to partake in some of yesterday's festivities, which lasted throughout the day and night and included official swearing-in ceremonies, unofficial swearing-in ceremonies, lavish, and not-so-lavish receptions. Instead of my usual rundown I will inundate you with some egregious name-dropping and a quick description of my evening.

I arrived at Senator Casey's (D-PA) reception at the Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill to be welcomed by swarms of people. The reception room was large, boisterous and bursting at the seams. Senator Casey arrived to thunderous applause, greeted us with a short but hearfelt speech and then handed the microphone to a North Philly choir made up of elementary school children. While many of the partygoers distastefully talked throughout the performance, I gladly noticed the Senator respectfully watched with honest interest. In my own humble opinion, it showed a respectful and decent side speeches and debates never could.

It was near impossible to get a chance to meet the Senator due to the thousands (I'm guessing) of revellers. Having had enough of the crowds and lengthy drink and food lines, my compatriot Eileen (who was nice enough to invite me to the reception -- she being the relative of a rather important fellow from the campaign) and I went to Senator Tester's (D-MT) reception. Much to our delight the crowd was much more reasonable and we had the opportunity to meet the towering figure. The Senator, while looking mighty tired, gave us each a hearty handshake and amiable greeting. His true to his roots demeanor I have read so much about was evident, as was his hulking physique.

We continued our reception quest on the House side. We were able to swing by Representative Gillibrand's(D-NY) office and had the opportunity to speak to some of her staff and mingle. The Congreswoman was late arriving because of the ethics package vote, and we decided against waiting in the crowded room and headed to Rep. McNerney's (D-CA) reception which was over by the time we got there (thanks to a detour in Rep. Herseth's(D-SD) office.

On the whole it was an enjoyable evening. There was talk of bipartisanship (as well as "haha, we're back in power!" partisanship), but the evening was generally a celebration. It was filled with hope and joy. Let's hope that we will feel the same when the 110th ends.

MW

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Daily Briefing – 1/5/07
668 days until the NEXT election… and global warming is an integral part of our nation’s agenda!

Key Issues in the News
Global Warming
- Bush looking at global warming ideas
o Talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel about future cooperation
- Daily India: Warming concerns EU more than US
- Scientists research stretches of global warming and cooling, find that it was jarring, not subtle
- Korea does not hear the sound of the alarm
- Vermont ski areas confront global warming
- Al Gore tickets sell out quickly
- Local NJ town signs climate protection agreement
Washington/Legislation/Politics/People/etc.
- Democrats take control
o Women bask in new Speaker’s shining moment
o A House warming of large proportions
o The unassuming Majority Leader was overshadowed
o And what about the minority party?
§ Should their policies be reversed?
- Senate feels heat as House cranks up ethics overhaul
- House Dems move to increase spending
Potential ‘08ers…
- Giuliani (strategy is all on his web site), Obama (actively interviewing staffers), Romney (confused about his past)
- Setting the odds on the candidates
Other News from the Media
- Revitalized Chesapeake may be decades away
- Thomas Friedman implores President Bush to take a page from Gerald Ford’s book and tackle America’s energy problem
- Rise in ethanol raises concern about corn as a food
- New Orleans repeats mistakes as it rebuilds
…and the Blogosphere
- The Fix: 2008 begins now
- MYDD: The end of the libertarian republican?
- Arianna Huffington has some DC notes
- Grist:
o Outdoor types worry that pollution law will make it more difficult for outdoor types to pollute
o A greener city with less red tape
- Umm, sour grapes anyone?
Miscellaneous… or just plain weird
- Commercial space tour in 2010?
- Bill Gates says days of the home help robot are near… somebody go get Gov. Schwarzenegger
- A naturally occurring allegory for those status-seeking individuals among us
Quotes O’ the Day
I like nonsense, it wakes up the brain cells. Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living, It's a way of looking at life through the wrong end of a telescope. Which is what I do, And that enables you to laugh at life's realities. - Dr. Seuss