FRIDAY’S MINI-REPORT…. Today’s edition of quick hits:
* Wall Street ended the week on a high note, with the Dow closing up about 3%. The other indexes did even better, with the S&P finishing 3.6% higher, and the Nasdaq closing up 4.4%.
* The markets upswing happened despite dismal employment numbers, and a new report that U.S. retailers posted the worst November sales in more than three decades.
* Those were some pretty scary right-wing activists at the Supreme Court today, convinced that Obama isn’t an American. It was quite a sight.
* It seems the rumors about Caroline Kennedy possibly replacing Hillary Clinton in the Senate are fairly serious.
* A few more Obama White House staffing announcements were made this afternoon.
* Ana Marie Cox is leaving Time’s “Swampland” blog.
* Miami Mayor Manny Diaz has been rumored as a leading candidate to become Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, but he’s starting to draw heat from labor and activist groups, including the South Florida AFL-CIO.
* Former Rep. David Bonior (D-Mich.) is trying to rally support to make union activist Mary Beth Maxwell the next Secretary of Labor.
* No one should listen to Henry Kissinger.
* Sarah Palin has decided the Troopergate scandal has been resolved. Demonstrating her commitment to transparency and accountability, Palin is also refusing to release a transcript of the testimony she made during the investigation.
* I’m starting to think Alberto Gonzales is in a bit of trouble.
* Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-N.Y.) has some more explaining to do.
* In light of his presidential inauguration, Barack Obama has decided to finally buy a new tuxedo. It will be, for those who are curious, a union-made tux.
Anything to add? Consider this an open thread.
