Think Progress

California unemployment rate jumps to 8.2 percent, third highest in U.S.»

The LA Times reports that California’s unemployment rate soared to a 14-year high in October, hitting 8.2%. The most populous state “shed 26,400 people from its payroll last month, raising the total number of lost jobs to 101,300 since October 2007.” Analysts predict “the situation is about to get worse.” The state’s rate ranks third in the U.S., exceeded only by those of Michigan and Rhode Island, at 9.3% each.

Jindal in Iowa this weekend.»

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal (R) traveled Friday to Iowa, “a state that is pivotal to a presidential campaign, in a trip that has heightened speculation that [he] is planning a presidential bid in 2012.” Jindal tamped down the speculation, stating, “I’m not running for president.” The highlight of Jindal’s visit will be tonight’s keynote address at a “Celebrating the Family” banquet hosted by the Iowa Family Policy Center, a conservative Christian group that promotes issues important to social conservatives such as home-schooling and opposition to abortion and same-sex marriage:

The center is a nonprofit organization that says it is dedicated to family values. The center’s president, Chuck Hurley, backed former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee in the recent presidential race. Hurley’s ties to religious conservatives are credited with helping Huckabee win the Iowa caucus in January.

“I think the American people are tired of campaigns. They’ve had enough. We haven’t even sworn in our next president,” Jindal said.

Wal-Mart CEO Lee Scott retiring.»

Wal-Mart Chief Executive Officer Lee Scott will retire effective Feb. 1, 2009. He will be replaced by Mike Duke, who currently heads the company’s international operations. While Wal-Mart has made constructive efforts to tackle the health care crisis and establish more environmentally-friendly business practices under Scott’s tenure, it has also worked tirelessly to erode workers’ rights. Wal-Mart Watch released this statement today:

Wal-Mart’s announcement today of Mike Duke as the new Chief Executive Officer must be viewed in the context of the recent election. It represents an opportunity for Wal-Mart to change from the low-wage, low-benefit business model to one that will be more appealing to an Obama administration.

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Cheney-inspired bullet-proof jackets on sale.»

Miguel Caballero, “a Colombian tailor who has made a fortune from selling bullet-proof fashion to presidents, oligarchs, celebrities,” is marketing a new line of stylish bullet-proof jackets. The jackets are apparently inspired by Vice President Dick Cheney’s now-famous shooting accident:

“This is a new market for us. Dick Cheney has helped raise awareness of accidents,” said Carolina Fernandez, a marketing director.

The Guardian’s Rory Carroll tested out the new product, bravely allowing himself to get shot by a .38 pistol at point-blank range while wearing the jacket. Surviving to write about the incident, Carroll reports, “It felt like a light tap.” Watch it here.

‘Joe the Plumber’ looks to cash in on his 15 minutes of fame.»

Samuel Joseph Wurzelbacher, aka “Joe the Plumber,” has signed a deal to write a new book entitled “Joe the Plumber: Fighting for the American Dream.” To capitalize on his recent fame, Wurzelbacher is planning to release it on Dec. 1 – less than two weeks from now. The New York Times reports that the book “will address Mr. Wurzelbacher’s ideas about American values.” Wurzelbacher, who had failed to pay his taxes and wasn’t licensed as a plumber, revealed during the campaign that he was once on welfare but is opposed to welfare programs. He also said, “Social Security’s a joke.”

Vice President Cheney and former Attorney General Gonzales indicted in Texas.»

A South Texas grand jury has returned multi-count indictments against Vice President Dick Cheney and former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales on charges related to the alleged abuse of prisoners in Willacy County’s federal detention centers:

The indictment accuses Cheney and Gonzales of engaging in organized criminal activity. It criticizes Cheney’s investment in the Vanguard Group, which holds interests in the private prison companies running the federal detention centers. It accuses Cheney of a conflict of interest and “at least misdemeanor assaults” on detainees by working through the prison companies.

Gonzales is accused of using his position while in office to stop an investigation into abuses at the federal detention centers.

GOP punts on Stevens.»

In their GOP conference meeting today, Senate Republicans punted “on the thorniest question – whether to formally expel Sen. Ted Stevens from their ranks.” Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC) had planned to offer a resolution that read:

Resolved that Sen. Ted Stevens not be invited to future Republican Conferences, and that committee assignments shall not be assigned him by the Republican Conference.

“After talking with many of my colleagues, it’s clear there are sufficient votes to pass the resolution regarding Senator Stevens,” DeMint said in a statement released shortly after the 9:30 conference meeting began. But the GOP delayed the vote on Stevens today, pending the resolution of the Alaska recount.

Bailout tally: $3.8 trillion and counting.»

CNBC is keeping tabs on the amount that the federal government has been forced to spend to bail out corporate America. The total? “Three-point eight trillion dollars. That’s $3,800,000.000.000. More than what was spent on WW II, if adjusted for inflation, based on our computations from a variety of estimates and sources.” Check out CNBC’s line-by-line breakdown of where the taxpayer funds are going.

Obama and McCain to meet on Monday.»

John McCain will meet with Barack Obama on Monday in Chicago. A statement from Obama’s transition office explains: “It’s well known that they share an important belief that Americans want and deserve a more effective and efficient government, and will discuss ways to work together to make that a reality. They will be joined in the meeting by Senator Lindsey Graham and Congressman Rahm Emanuel.” Jake Tapper reports, “Graham and Emanuel worked well together on negotiating the presidential debates.”

EPA review panel blocks construction of new coal-fired power plant.»

The Wonk Room’s Brad Johnson reports that the EPA’s final decision-making board has ruled that a proposed coal-fired power plant in Utah must have its carbon dioxide emissions regulated. The decision overturns an earlier decision by the EPA to grant a permit without considering its effects on global warming. The ruling will likely impact other coal plant permit cases as well. The 69-page decision described the Bush administration’s arguments opposing CO2 regulation as “weak,” “questionable,” “not sustainable,” and “not sufficient.”

Michael Moore’s new documentary will tackle economy.»

The Hollywood Reporter reveals that Michael Moore’s new documentary will focus on the global financial crisis and the U.S. economy. Moore is “feverishly shooting,” and it is expected to come out as early as this spring. “The untitled movie will contain an end-of-the-empire tone, say those familiar with the project.” Craig Minassian, an entertainment consultant, said, “If Moore offers a prescription for how to improve things, he may indeed find an audience that at this moment is eager for change,” but cautioned “it’s going to be hard for him. What this election shows is what’s right with America, and sometimes what Michael Moore does is highlight what’s wrong with America.”

Alaska Senate Democratic candidate leads Stevens by 3 votes.»

Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich leads incumbent Republican Ted Stevens by 3 votes in the latest tally. “The new numbers, reflecting nearly 43,000 absentee ballots counted today, are from all over the state.” On election night, Stevens led Begich by about 3,000 votes. The Division of Elections still has 10,000 more ballots to count today and roughly 35,000 additional absentee and questioned ballots over the next week.

McCain on whether Lieberman will lose his Homeland Security gavel: ‘I hope not.’»

Speaking with Jay Leno last night, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) expressed his deep admiration for his friend Joe Lieberman. “I have never known a finer man than Joe Lieberman,” McCain gushed. Asked whether Lieberman’s support for McCain might cost him his chairmanship of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, McCain said, “I hope not,” adding, “on national security issues, he’s really, really good.” Watch it:

While a number of Democratic Senators have expressed their hope that Lieberman will not be kicked out of the caucus, many of them are mum on whether he should retain his gavel. “We aren’t going to referee decisions about who should or should not be a committee chair,” said Stephanie Cutter, a spokeswoman for the Obama transition team.

Check out ThinkProgress’s new report, “Joe Lieberman: The Progressive Who Lost His Way.”

Rep. Broun on comparing Obama to Hitler: ‘I regret putting it that way.’»

After assaulting Barack Obama’s national service proposals as Hitler-like, Rep. Paul Broun told WGAC radio today: “I regret putting it that way.” He added, “The point I tried to make is that he is extremely liberal, he has promoted a lot of socialistic ideas, and it just makes me concerned.” Both of Georgia’s Republican Senators — Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson — distanced themselves from Broun’s earlier remarks.

John Edwards will break his silence today with speech at Indiana University.»

Former Democratic presidential nominee John Edwards “will break almost three months of public silence when he speaks at 7 p.m. today” at the Indiana University Auditorium. Edwards will deliver a speech, give his reaction to the election, and answer students’ questions. “The Union Boards’ decision to bring Edwards to speak – which cost $35,000 – has garnered criticism on whether it is appropriate to pay someone to speak who recently admitted his extramarital affair.” (HT: On Politics)

Judge rules against Bush administration in White House email case.»

U.S. District Court Judge Henry Kennedy ruled today that two private groups — CREW and the National Security Archive — may continue to pursue their case against the Bush White House to recover millions of possibly missing electronic messages. “The Bush administration had argued that the courts did not have the power to order the White House to retrieve any missing e-mails.”

Bush friend says the President ‘has a way of coming to grips with things and moving on.’»

In the New York Times this morning, a Bush friend states the President has come to terms with Barack Obama’s victory because he’s “a realist”:

“President Bush is a realist,” said this friend, who spoke anonymously to disclose his private conversation with the president. “He has a way of coming to grips with things and moving on. The people have spoken.”

That assessment doesn’t quite square with reality. Bush’s disregard for the American people was evident in 2006, when he stubbornly argued, “We’re not leaving [Iraq] so long as I’m the president.” He has said he would veto bills just to “ensure that I am relevant.” And he has not been shy about boasting of his power, calling himself “commander guy” and “the decider.”

Project For A New American Century 2.0.»

Matt Duss reports, “It looks like Bill Kristol may be making good on his threat to revive the Project for the New American Century. Since May, visitors to PNAC’s website were informed that ‘this account has been suspended,’ but now the website is back up, though it does not seem to have been updated with any new material.” Duss speculates that PNAC’s reincarnation may serve to boost the future prospects of Sarah Palin.

Bush and Obama to meet tomorrow.»

President-elect Barack Obama and President George W. Bush will meet face-to-face tomorrow at 2 pm in the White House to discuss the upcoming transition. Atrios highlights a previous encounter between the two men:

“Obama!” Bush exclaimed, according to Obama’s account of the meeting in his second memoir, “The Audacity of Hope.” “Come here and meet Laura. Laura, you remember Obama. We saw him on TV during election night. Beautiful family. And that wife of yours — that’s one impressive lady.”

The two men shook hands and then, according to Obama, Bush turned to an aide, “who squirted a big dollop of hand sanitizer in the president’s hand.”

Bush then offered some to Obama, who recalled: “Not wanting to seem unhygienic, I took a squirt.”