MSNBC releases BLTWY Power List: 35 People Under 35

MSNBC released it's BLTWY Power List: 35 People Under 35 Who Changed D.C. In 2010 earlier this week, and a couple of up and coming political women made the list.

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano travels to Afghanistan

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano traveled to Kabul, Afghanistan today to meet with troops and visit with custom agents and border officials.

More from AFP:

US Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano arrived in Afghanistan for talks with Afghan officials and to spend the New Year's holiday with American troops, her office said. A statement issued from Washington said Napolitano arrived early Friday in Kabul with US customs and border security officials to help provide civilian assistance to local officials.While in Afghanistan, she will meet with senior US and Afghan officials on border security issues. "For several years, the Department of Homeland Security has been contributing personnel to help bolster security in Afghanistan," Napolitano said in the statement.

Elle Magazine's DC Power List

Elle / Daniel King

Elle/Daniel King

   

Elle Magazine created its inaugural list of the most powerful women in Washington, DC. I loved this piece because it highlighted so many women that we love and highlight here at The Political Girl. Here they are listed below.  Check out Elle.com to see the interviews and amazing photos they captured of the ladies. I really hope this is not a one time list but a new staple for DC politicos. Pictured are Jaci Reed and Dana Perino, but the rest of the list is below.

White House Flickr Outtakes: Obamas' Edition

The White House uploaded a lot of unseen pictures from the past year today and found a lot of our favorite political women among them.

 Oct. 17, 2010: “Waiting backstage to be introduced, the President wrapped his arms around the First Lady before an outdoor rally in Columbus, Ohio.” (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

 July 17, 2010: “On a weekend trip to Acadia National Park in Maine, the President showed his daughters, Malia and Sasha, how to skip stones during a hike in the park.” (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

The White House uploaded this pictured today and I love it. Cutesy :).

May 5, 2010 - “After doing a series of posed photos, the President started joking around with the First Lady in the Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House before a Cinco de Mayo event.” (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Lisa Murkowski certified as Senate winner in Alaska

Lisa Murkowski (R-AL) became the first U.S. candidate since 1954 to win a write in campaign today when the state of Alaska officially certified her as the winner over Joe Miller. After two months of recounts and challenges, Ms. Murkowski can officially return to Washington, DC.

From Reuters:

The state of Alaska certified Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski's victory over Tea Party favorite Joe Miller on Thursday, nearly three months after the incumbent won the race with an unconventional write-in campaign. The certification document was signed in the state capitol in Juneau by Governor Sean Parnell and Lieutenant Governor Mead Treadwell, a spokeswoman for Parnell said. "It's been certified. The governor signed the certificate and the lieutenant governor notarized it," Parnell spokeswoman Sharon Leighow said. "From there it gets on a plane tonight with Gail." Division of Elections Director Gail Fenumiai will carry it personally to the Secretary of the Senate, who must receive it by noon Monday, Leighow said.

11 Women to Watch in 2011

At the beginning of the 2010 election cycle, many commentators and pundits believed that this was the year to run as a woman. We saw a record number of women run and a lot of excitement around their candidacy. Yet after the midterm elections were over and done, we saw the numbers for women in Congress not increase since 1987! Despite those odds, we are keeping our eyes on a couple of women who could do amazing things in 2011. Here are our 11 Women to Watch in 2011.

Terri Sewell - freshman Congresswoman out of Alabama, is the first African American woman to be elected from the state. With the same pedigree as the First Lady Michelle Obama, undergraduate degree from Princeton and law degree from Harvard University, she is definitely one to watch.

Kirsten Gillibrand - after lobbying successfully for the passage of the 9/11 Act and repeal of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell", this freshman senator solidified herself as a force to be reckoned with. And after winning her election by a landslide this past November, she proved that she deserved to walk in Hillary Clinton's footsteps.

Elizabeth Warren - recently featured on the Political Girl for her photo opt in Vogue, she was recently appointed by President Obama to as Assistant to the President and Special Advisor to the Secretary of the Treasury on the Consumer Financial Protection, she is charged with protecting the American people for another failure of the Wall Street banks.

Kamala Harris - the newly elected District Attorney of California is already making the media rounds with a profile in Politico and an upcoming spread in Harper's Bazaar, however she has made it clear that her first priority is keeping the residents of California safe.

Michelle Rhee - When she stormed into Washington, DC 3 years ago she had the city buzzing by firing hundreds of students and closing over 20 schools. With the defeat of DC Mayor Adrian Fenty in September, she decided to leave the post and recently announced on Oprah that she was starting Students First, an organization to support student reform around the country.

 


Find out who else made the list by clicking below!

Freshman Congressman Frederica Wilson likes her hats

How did I miss this? Washington Post's Robin Givan (or more accurately, Newsweek's new hire) profiled freshman congresswoman Frederica Wilson (D-FL) in early December. The representative-elect is known in her home state for wearing embellished and decorative hats and often wore them on the Florida Senate floor. However, when she come to Washington next month she will learn that things are a little different since the House floor bans hats.

Bristol Palin buys house in Arizona

Reuters is reporting that Bristol Palin, daughter of former vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin, has bought a house in Arizona.

The 20-year-old daughter of Sarah Palin and third-place finisher on "Dancing with the Stars" quietly bought a five-bedroom, 3,900-square-foot home in the Cobblestones Farms neighborhood of Maricopa for $172,000 on December 10.News of the purchase, which only surfaced in the last few days, triggered media speculation over why the Alaska native would relocate to the lower 48 -- including reports she planned to study journalism at Arizona State University in Phoenix.A Palin family spokesman did not respond to a request for comment on Bristol's plans for the home, built in 2005 and featuring a three-car garage and landscaped backyard.

Obamas Christmas Address

The Obamas made a rare joint appearance for this past weekend's Saturday address. They wished everyone a Merry Christmas and suggested ways to support our troops during the holiday season. Loves the photo!

Sonia Sotomayor - the next liberal giant?

According to the New York Times, that just might be the case. In an article that ran in today's paper, the author suggests that the new justice might be leading the way for the liberal wing of the Supreme Court.

Justice Sotomayor wrote three of the opinions, more than any other justice, and all concerned the rights of criminal defendants or prisoners. The most telling one involved a Louisiana prisoner infected with H.I.V.

The article also continues that she is wrote all 7 opinions for the liberal wing on cases that they didn't hear but still decided to add a comment. You can read the rest of the interesting article, here.

Hillary Clinton tops Gallup's Most Admired Woman Survey

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was named the most admired woman in 2010 by Gallup. This is a ranking that she has held for the past nine years. President Obama was named the most admired man. Here are the other women that were included in the poll.

 Hillary Clinton - 17 percent

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin - 12 percent

TV host/media mogul Oprah Winfrey - 11 percent

First lady Michelle Obama - 5 percent

Former secretary of State Condoleezza Rice - 2 percent

Queen Elizabeth -  2 percent

Obamas attend church while in Hawaii

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, along with daughters Sasha and Malia, sing during services at St. Michael’s Chapel at Marine Corps Base Hawaii in Kailua, Hawaii, Dec. 26, 2010. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

The White House posted this picture of the Obamas' attending church while in Hawaii. Awww, I love the singing and clapping.  

Valerie Jarrett appears on "Meet the Press" today

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Valerie Jarrett was a guest on Meet to Press today discussing the administration's plan for the 2012 presidential election. She also discussed President Obama's plans to get out of Washington more this year and connect directly with the American people.

"Because he's the President of the United States, he's not out there running the way he was before when he was the U.S. Senator. The American people expect him to lead. He's their President. He's everybody's President regardless of party affiliation."

Get ready people, the 2012 Elections are right around the corner!

Bidens bring holiday cheer to troops

Vice President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden visit with troops and their families on Christmas Day at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., Dec. 25, 2010. (Official White House Photo by David Lienemann)

Obamas chat with Marines on Christmas Day

Getty

The Obamas' visited soldiers at the Marine Corps Base Hawaii on Christmas Day. They greeted the marines and their families and often chatted and took pictures. I love it! Its never a day off for the Obamas!

Clintons Celebrate Christmas

Neil Leifer/NY Times

It seems as if the Clintons are having a festive Christmas this year, the New York Times spotted them on Thursday evening at Cafe Carlyle.

Seems that the Clintons — that’s the former president, Bill; the current secretary of state, Hillary; and this summer’s Bride of the Century, Chelsea — stopped by the Café Carlyle on Thursday night. They were there to toast Steve Tyrell, the singer who took over when Bobby Short died in 2005. Mr. Tyrell, whom Stephen Holden, a music reviewer for The Times described as “a Burt Bacharach protégé with one foot in New Orleans,” is to be married on Sunday — at the Carlyle, natch — to Karen Pulaski. President Clinton and Chelsea were said to have danced to Mr. Tyrell’s rendition of “The Way You Look Tonight,” from the movie “Father of the Bride,” at Chelsea’s wedding to Marc Mezvinsky in Rhinebeck, N.Y., on July 31, according to our tipster.                   

We came at 8, and they were already sitting down,” said the tipster, Neil Leifer, a filmmaker and former Sports Illustrated photographer who knows Mr. Tyrell from their evenings together at Elaine’s, the famed Upper East Side watering hole. “There was a lot of Secret Service.”

Read the rest of the article, here.

Obamas Christmas Dinner

The Obama family is in Hawaii enjoying warm weather and beautiful beaches for the Christmas holiday. They also will enjoy a traditional Christmas dinner menu that includes steak, roasted potatoes and green beans and pie for dessert, the White House released yesterday.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from the Political Girl. Well wishes for a great day and don't forget to remember the true meaning for today.

California District Attorney Kamala Harris profiled in Politico

Ben Smith recently interviewed Kamala Harris for a profile piece in today's Politico. In the lengthy article, she discusses the comparisons to President Obama and the lofty aspirations that many Democrats have for her.

“It’s flattering, these comparisons make me uncomfortable because I know what I want to do. I am really excited about being attorney general.”

Covers: Oprah covers Parade Magazine

Ohio appoints Yvete McGee Brown as the first African American Supreme Court Justice

In a little over a week, the Ohio Supreme Court will have its first African-American woman and third justice of color overall to ever serve on their highest court. Outgoing Ohio Governor Ted Strickland appointed Yvete McGee Brown to the position after they failed in their bid for governor and former lieutenant governor in November.

In a statement, Mr. Strickland said, “Her diversity of experience, work as a former judge, and advocacy for the welfare of Ohio families will add a unique perspective and balanced decision-making to Ohio’s Supreme Court. “I have no doubt that Yvette will provide a wise and compassionate voice for the most vulnerable to our highest court.” Ms. Brown previously served as judge of the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas in Ohio and founded the Center for Child and Family Advocacy at Nationwide Children's Hospital.

"This is a chance for me to continue with public service, do it state wide, and make a significant impact." - Yvete McGee Brown

The New York Times spotlights Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand

Ms. Gillibrand walks along the Senate halls

Ms. Gillibrand speaks at a news conference about the 9/11 Responders bill

In an article published on the front page of the New York Times on Thursday, author Drew Angerer highlights Sen. Gillibrand rise in notoriety over the past couple of weeks. As an outspoken advocate of "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell" and the 9/11 First Responders bills, Ms. Gillibrand emerged as a fearless leader after their passage on Wednesday. When both of the bills were stalled in the Senate. the mother of two, would give rousing speeches and news conferences demanding for their passage. And with that people began to notice - the opening of the article reads....

The spotlight was shining on her at last, and Kirsten E. Gillibrand, the oft-overshadowed junior senator from New York, did not hold back. Pounding the lectern on the Senate floor, raising her voice almost to a shout, Ms. Gillibrand hectored, reasoned with and sought to shame her colleagues into ending the 17-year-old ban on gays’ serving openly in the military. “If you care about national security, if you care about our military readiness,” she demanded, “then you will repeal this corrosive policy.” - The New York Times

While we here at Political Girl have always recognized the talents of the 43 year old successor to Hillary Clinton, its good to know that the rest of the world is paying attention too. Go Kirsten!!!

Steven Spielberg advising Nancy Pelosi?

Nancy Pelosi smiles after the "Don't Ask Don't Tell" bill signing

"Steven Spielberg advising Nancy Pelosi on rebranding Democrats" was the headline in the Washington Post blog, The Fix on yesterday afternoon. Many have speculated about the former speaker's role in the next Congress and ways she can change her image, but this is the first time that I am hearing that she is consulting a "director". Could it be that she looking for a hollywood makeover of sorts? According to the article, that might just be it.

Lawmakers say she is consulting marketing experts about building a stronger brand. The most prominent of her new whisperers is Steven Spielberg, the Hollywood director whose films have been works of branding genius. Lawmakers said Spielberg has not reported to Pelosi with a recommendation.

You can check out the rest of the article, here.

Elizabeth Warren in Vogue

Vogue Magazine

Depicted by Time Magazine as a "New Sheriff on Wall Street", Elizabeth Warren is gracing the pages of the January issue of Vogue Magazine. You may remember that in early September, President Obama chose Elizabeth Warren to run the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau that was created when Congress passed the financial regulation bill. In the interview she discusses how she views money and her take on fashion.

"I want to live my life with color." People who can't enjoy their money are missing the colors in life," she stated in the article.

You can check out the rest of the article, here.

On the Bookshelf: Jackie Kennedy

Two new books about Jackie Kennedy have recently hit the bookshelf. While there have been countless books written about the former first lady, these two concentrate specifically about her life as an editor. Many people do not know that after the death of her second husband Aristotle Onassis, she wanted a new career.  "Jackie as Editor" and "Reading Jackie" both explore her 19 year career editing books.