Washington Bureau Chief, Chicago Sun-Times
Columnist at PoliticsDaily.com and Washington Bureau Chief for the Chicago Sun-Times
PROFILE
Lynn Sweet
Guest
FROM Lynn Sweet
Press Play with Madeleine Brand
What's next for Barack Obama? In his first public appearance since leaving office, Former President Barack Obama led a panel discussion at the University of Chicago, where he once taught. The panel included six student leaders from the Chicago area and focused on civic engagement and community organizing.
Which Way, L.A.?
Obama and Emanuel: Great Team or a Mismatch? White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs told reporters today that the President will have an announcement tomorrow . Nobody now doubts the announcement will be that Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel is leaving the White House to run for Mayor of Chicago.
To the Point
Obama and Emanuel: Great Team or a Mismatch? Chicago Mayor Richard Daley is stepping down, and Rahm Emanuel wants the job. President Obama is expected to announce his Chief of Staff's departure tomorrow. Emanuel has been the "get-it-done insider" to Obama's "visionary outsider," praised for legislative successes and scapegoated for defeats. But along the way, Emanuel has angered conservative Republicans, who think Obama has gone too far, and alienated liberal Democrats who say he hasn't gone far enough. Will his departure unite a divided White House? Who will be next? What are his chances at home in Chicago?
To the Point
Rahm Emanuel Reportedly Will Step Down This Week Insiders believe and report that President Obama's Chief of Staff will be leaving on Friday to campaign for Mayor of Chicago. How will the White House and Presidential policies be different without Rahm Emanuel ? Who are the likely candidates to replace him? Yesterday, President Obama told NBC's Matt Lauer that if Emanuel wants to run for Mayor of Chicago, he'd better get going. Lynn Sweet is Washington Bureau Chief for the Chicago Tribune and a columnist for PoliticsDaily.com .
Which Way, L.A.?
Obama Administration Eyes Gitmo North in Thomson, Illinois Yesterday, government officials toured the Thomson Correctional Facility , an unoccupied state prison 150 miles northwest of Chicago. It might be the next stop for prisoners now held at Guantanamo Bay. Then again, it might not.
To the Point
Closing Guantanamo: Easier Said than Done Closing Guantanamo Bay means finding another place for some 200 prisoners Donald Rumsfeld once called "the worst of the worst." But many were scooped up in sweeps or handed over for money. Judges picked by the Bush Administration say 30 should be released right away. Cases against many others are so weak that the Pentagon and Justice Department are competing for plea agreements in courts or military tribunals. In the meantime, the Obama Administration wants them housed on American soil. But where? Yesterday, government officials toured the Thomson Correctional Facility , an unoccupied state prison 150 miles northwest of Chicago. We hear about the possibilities and the politics.
Which Way, L.A.?
The Cop, the Professor and the President of the United States In an incident now familiar to most Americans, Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates arrived home from a trip to China to find his door jammed. He and his driver tried to force it open. A neighbor reported a possible break-in, and Cambridge Police Sergeant James Crowley showed up at the home. After a verbal confrontation about racial profiling, Gates was arrested outside for disorderly conduct, a charge that was later dismissed . President Obama was asked about the incident at a press conference .
To the Point
The Cop, the Professor and the President of the United States In an incident now familiar to most Americans, a Harvard professor arrived home from a trip to China to find his door jammed. He and his driver tried to force it open, a neighbor reported a possible break-in and Cambridge Police Sergeant James Crowley showed up at the home. After a verbal confrontation about racial profiling, Henry Louis Gates was arrested outside for disorderly conduct, a charge that was later dismissed . The White House says tonight’s " beer summit " is an effort to start a dialogue on race relations in the United States. It follows President Obama’s comment that a white policeman acted “stupidly” by arresting Gates. Was it a case of “racial profiling?” Was the professor first to raise the issue of race? Did the President make a political blunder? Is it a "teachable moment" or a distraction from healthcare reform and the rest of the White House agenda?
Which Way, L.A.?
The Obama White House and the Permanent Campaign After winning the White House, President Obama said his volunteer army of 13 million would play a crucial role in his administration. His campaign apparatus was reincarnated at the Democratic National Committee and called Organizing for America . Today, Mr. Obama took part in a conference call designed to mobilize the army around healthcare .
To the Point
The Obama White House and the Permanent Campaign After winning the White House, President Obama said his volunteer army of 13 million would play a crucial role in his administration. Reincarnated at the Democratic National Committee, his campaign apparatus is now called Organizing for America . Today, the President took part in a conference call designed to mobilize his volunteer army around healthcare reform , and asked for grassroots efforts to pressure Congress to support his proposals. Will they respond with emails, phone calls, local meetings and door-to-door visits or leave it up to the man they succeeded in sending to Washington?
To the Point
Rev. Wright, Part II During his three-day publicity blitz, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright has injected himself back into the presidential campaign. Barack Obama has distanced himself from Reverend Wright. At the National Press Club yesterday, the Reverend distanced himself from the candidate.
To the Point
Race and Civil Rights in the Democratic Primary Campaign It's the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. , and his legacy is a guaranteed topic at tonight's Democratic debate in Las Vegas. For the past few days the Obama and Clinton campaigns -- and the candidates themselves -- have been exchanging barbs about civil rights and diversity. We hear what's been said and why it's touched such sensitive nerves. Does Bill Clinton deserve to be called America's "first black president?" Has Hillary inherited that legacy? Does Obama -- with a real chance of winning -- threaten an older generation of black civil rights leaders?
To the Point
Presidential Race Livens Up on Both Sides Enshrined as the Democratic front-runner by the media and by Republicans Hillary Clinton was on the defensive in last night's debate . John Edwards accused her of double-talk and representing the status quo. Barack Obama called her secretive—like George Bush. Will the predicted confrontations make a difference? Is Clinton's lead really all that solid? On the Republican side, can born-again conservative Mike Huckabee make a run at Rudy Giuliani ? In a little over eight weeks, voters in Iowa and New Hampshire will finally be heard from. Is either party speaking to the anger of voters two months before they start going to the polls?
Recommended
To the Point
Replacing Obamacare: Now you see it… now you don’t As the Senate deliberates replacing Obmacare, health coverage for millions of people is at stake. There've been no public hearings, and a draft measure won't be made public. Is the House version so unpopular that that Senate is hiding a version that looks much the same?
To the Point
Ex-FBI Director Comey tells his side of the story Today, former FBI Director James Comey came close to calling the President who fired him a liar. The White House denied the claim and called it insulting, but Republican Senators did not challenge Comey’s truthfulness. Many questions remain: did the President try to obstruct a federal investigation? Later, we’ll go behind the “velvet rope” for a look at 5-Star health care for the richest Americans.
To the Point
Trump's 'America First' goes missing abroad In the Middle East, President Trump is changing some policies of the Obama Administration—and reversing his own campaign attacks on Islam as a religion that "hates us." We hear about his visit to Saudi Arabia and what's at stake for the rest of his foreign excursion.