IN BRIEF: ‘Don’t tell’ policy chided

Published: November 18, 2008

MILITARY

‘Don’t tell’ policy chided

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — More than 100 retired generals and admirals called Monday for repeal of the military’s "don’t ask, don’t tell” policy on gays so they can serve openly, according to a statement obtained by The Associated Press. The move by the military veterans confronts the incoming administration of President-elect Barack Obama with a thorny political and cultural issue that dogged former President Bill Clinton early in his administration.

TRANSITION

Biden reaches out to leaders

WASHINGTON — Vice President-elect Joe Biden spoke with several world leaders by phone Monday. Biden has been reaching out to foreign leaders as he and President-elect Barack Obama prepare to take over the White House in January. Monday’s calls, announced by Obama’s transition office in a statement, included:

• Colombian President Alvaro Uribe

• European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana

• Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili

• Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis

• Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero

EDUCATION

Union is open to merit pay

WASHINGTON — A teachers’ union said it supports President-elect Barack Obama in trying to tie pay raises to student performance. Many teachers dislike the idea; Obama was booed when he mentioned it at union meetings in 2007 and again this year. Yet Randi Weingarten, the newly elected president of the American Federation of Teachers, said Monday there is a role for teacher raises based on how students are learning.

SENATE

Lieberman may keep seat

WASHINGTON — Sen. Joe Lieberman appears increasingly likely to hold onto his prized chairmanship of the Senate Homeland Security Committee as he meets today with Democratic colleagues unhappy over his vocal support for GOP nominee John McCain during this year’s presidential campaign. Not long ago, Lieberman’s hold on his chairmanship seemed to be slipping as Democrats sought to punish him for boosting McCain and criticizing President-elect Barack Obama during the long campaign. Now, several Democratic aides say Lieberman will receive a lesser sanction.

Coburn blocks bill package

WASHINGTON — Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid announced Monday that the Senate would not take up a package of bills this week that had been blocked by Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Muskogee. Many of the bills involve public land designation, including new heritage trails and wilderness areas. Coburn said one bill would block exploration of huge oil and gas reserves in Wyoming. Reid, D-Nevada, said the package would be taken up after the new Congress convenes in January.

Hearing may come too late

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Minnesota’s Senate recount will be under way before Democrat Al Franken’s lawsuit over rejected absentee ballots gets a court hearing. Ramsey County District Court Judge Dale Lindman scheduled a hearing for Wednesday morning, 90 minutes after the first counties are set to begin recounting 2.9 million ballots. Going into the manual recount, Republican incumbent Norm Coleman leads Franken by 206 votes.

From Staff and Wire Reports

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