Author Archives: Michelle Austein Brooks

About Michelle Austein Brooks

Michelle Austein Brooks is a U.S. government and politics writer who has covered three national elections for America.gov. || When she’s not busy writing about politics, she is trying out new recipes or planning her next vacation. Follow Michelle on Twitter and Facebook!

“A Season of Progress”

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Following the Senate’s approval of the new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) between the United States and Russia, President Obama hailed the 111th Congress’ last few weeks as “a season of progress for the American people.”

Americans often expect the time between midterm Congressional elections and the end of a Congress – referred to as the “lame duck” period – as a slow few weeks. But in recent days, along with the START ratification, Congress repealed the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy that banned gays from serving openly in the military, extended tax cuts and approved financial assistance to September 11 rescue workers suffering health problems.

President Obama has now joined his family in Hawaii, where he’s expected to stay until after New Year’s. Happy Holidays!

Obama Congratulates Iraqi Government

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President Obama called Iraq’s formation of a new government “a significant moment in Iraq’s history and a major step forward in advancing national unity.”

After nine months of deadlock, members of Iraq’s parliament unanimously approved the government. Nouri al-Maliki was also endorsed for a second term as prime minister.

“The Iraqi people and their elected representatives have demonstrated their commitment to working through a democratic process to resolve their differences and shape Iraq’s future,” Obama said. “The United States will continue to strengthen our long-term partnership with Iraq’s people and leaders as they build a prosperous and peaceful nation that is fully integrated into the region and international community.”

An Unusual Election in Alaska

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Earlier this year Republican Lisa Murkowski, a senator from Alaska, lost her party’s primary contest to Joe Miller. But she decided to still try to win the seat.

It’s not uncommon to see a candidate lose the party’s primary and decide to run as an Independent instead. One of the most famous cases is Joe Lieberman, Al Gore’s running mate in the 2000 presidential election. After losing his 2006 Democratic primary, the Connecticut senator successfully won the seat as an Independent – and was even rumored as a possible vice presidential pick for 2008 Republican presidential candidate John McCain.

Murkowski chose a different approach – to continue to run as a Republican. Murkowski decided to launch a write-in campaign, which means she had to ask voters to write her name on the ballot when they select their senate candidate.

Only once in U.S. history has someone won a senate write-in campaign. Strom Thurmond of South Carolina accomplished that unusual feat in 1954. With most votes counted, U.S. media is speculating that Murkowski is poised to become the second: if enough of the write-in votes have her name on it.

More than 81,000 Alaskan voters chose to write-in a candidate’s name, but determining how many of them wrote-in “Murkowski” could take days. Determining which votes for Murkowski are actually valid (for example, officials suggest “Murkowsky” is acceptable, but “Lisa M.” is not) could take weeks.

Alaskans will have to wait to see if Murkowski really can win on a write-in.

End of U.S. combat mission in Iraq

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Obama in oval office

The United States has ended its seven-and-a-half-year military operation in Iraq and is shifting to a civilian-led mission to build a partnership with the country that will strengthen its government, industry and people, President Obama told the American people in nationally televised address August 31.

“Tonight, I am announcing that the American combat mission in Iraq has ended. Operation Iraqi Freedom is over, and the Iraqi people now have lead responsibility for the security of their country,” Obama said. Some U.S. forces will remain to train Iraqi security officials.

“Through this remarkable chapter in the history of the United States and Iraq, we have met our responsibility,” Obama said. “Now, it’s time to turn the page.”

What do you think of the president’s remarks?

Obama marks Katrina anniversary

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Obama in New Orleans

The Obamas visited New Orleans this past weekend to mark the five-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, a powerful storm that devastated much of the Gulf Coast and killed more than 1800 people. The anniversary also comes after months of cleanup from the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

“Five years ago, many questioned whether people could ever return to this city,” the President said, speaking at Xavier University. “Today, New Orleans is one of the fastest growing cities in America, with a big new surge in small businesses.”

Obama acknowledged that while progress has been made, challenges remain. “I wanted to come here and tell the people of this city directly: My administration is going to stand with you — and fight alongside you — until the job is done.”

Salute the troops

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Hello again, it’s me, Michelle. Ned and Kirsten have wrapped up their summer internships at America.gov and are headed back to their universities. Didn’t they do a great job blogging about Obama?

Back when Barack Obama was running for president, he said he would withdraw combat troops from Iraq. And now, that is becoming a reality. On August 31, the United States’ combat mission in Iraq will come to an end.

“At this key transition point, it is important to show our support to the troops and their families,” the White House says on its website. How to show your support? The White House provides tips on how to craft a message to American soldiers via YouTube, Facebook, Twitter or Flickr.

President Obama is expected to mark the August 31 end of combat operations with a televised speech to the American people.

When a Joke Isn’t Just a Joke

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Saturday Night Live, the weekly live comedy sketch show, has been on the air for decades. But many fans will tell you the show had a tough few years as viewers tuned out.

Then came the 2008 presidential election, and ratings soared. The actors’ impersonations of Barack Obama, John McCain, Hillary Clinton – and especially Sarah Palin – became a hit. Suddenly everyone was talking about Saturday Night Live again.

[image src="http://photos.state.gov/libraries/amgov/133183/week_3/08192010_AP081004028601-500.jpg" caption="Actress Tina Fey portraying Sarah Palin"]

Politicians have long provided a gold mine of jokes for comedians. Growing up, I saw my parents watch the local news every night at 11 p.m. Me, I watch the Daily Show.

The Daily Show — a hugely popular fake news show, is how many young people keep up with what’s happening in the world. Between host Jon Stewart’s jokes, we actually learn a bit about politics.

But for comedians in Brazil, there will be no ratings boost ahead of their presidential elections because political jokes there have been banned. The Associated Press reports that Brazilian law prohibits television or radio broadcasters from poking fun at any presidential candidate in the three months leading up to Election Day.

Proponents of the law say it’s the best way to ensure a fair race. Those opposed say it goes against freedom of speech. What do you think?

Obama pushes for immigration reform

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President Obama

“The system is broken,” President Obama said today about American immigration laws. “And everybody knows it.”

The problem, the president said, is that political leaders have been hesitant to deal with such an emotional issue.

Immigrants provide a “steady stream of hard-working and talented people” who have “made America the engine of the global economy and a beacon of hope around the world,” Obama said.

But, “the presence of so many illegal immigrants makes a mockery of all those who are going through the process of immigrating legally.”

In his speech, Obama called for reforming the immigration system, saying businesses need to be held accountable for hiring or exploiting undocumented workers. He also said that illegal immigrants should “be required to register, pay their taxes, pay a fine and learn English. They must get right with the law before they can get in line and earn their citizenship.”

Immigration reform is needed to update the legal process of immigration as well, Obama said, noting that the process is slow and discourages those who come here on student visas to stay here and contribute to the American economy.
“Instead of training entrepreneurs to create jobs on our shores, we train our competition.”

Any immigration reform will need the approval of Congress, which political experts say is not going to be easy. Despite the hurdles, Obama said, “I’m ready to move forward.”

Back to our regularly scheduled programming

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Sorry it’s been a while since I have updated the blog – I had to go out of town for a few weeks.

There’s no doubt what the biggest story for the administration has been while I was out – the resignation of General Stanley McChrystal as commander of the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan. McChrystal and his aides made disparaging remarks about administration officials in a recent article published in Rolling Stone magazine.

“I welcome debate among my team, but I won’t tolerate division,” Obama said in remarks announcing that he would nominate General David Petraeus to take the commander position.

What do you think of the president’s decision?

Obama addresses Americans about oil spill

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Obama

Among some of the most famous presidential speeches are those in which the president addresses Americans from the Oval Office. Typically, these speeches happen during times of war or national tragedy.

Tuesday’s address, the first Oval Office speech for President Obama, featured words similarly used in discussions of war, speaking of “the battle we’re waging against an oil spill that is assaulting our shores and our citizens.” The response to the spill, which he called a “battle plan,” includes efforts to clean up the oil, help those affected in the Gulf, and take steps to ensure this never happens again.

In his speech, the President said BP will be held responsible for cleanup costs, part of what the administration has described as the largest response to an environmental disaster in U.S. history. The president also called on Congress to pass legislation to spur development of alternative energies. “The tragedy unfolding on our coast is the most painful and powerful reminder yet that the time to embrace a clean energy future is now,” he said.

A transcript of the president’s remarks is available on America.gov.