États-Unis : Obama perd sa «super majorité» au Sénat
lePARISIEN.fr: Un an jour pour jour après son élection à la Maison Blanche, Barack Obama avait sans doute rêvé meilleur anniversaire. Pour la première fois depuis des décennies, dans l'Etat traditionnellement démocrate du Massachusetts (nord-est), un candidat républicain, Scott Brown, a en effet remporté un siège de sénateur.

Conséquence, les démocrates ont perdu la majorité qualifiée de 60 voix qu'ils détenaient au Sénat grâce à l'apport de deux indépendants.

Cette forme de « super majorité » (60 voix sur 100) permettait aux démocrates et à Barack Obama de passer outre une obstruction républicaine à la chambre haute du Congrès américain. Cette défaite dans le Massachusetts hypothèque ainsi l'avenir des réformes. >>> Leparisien.fr avec l‘AFP | Mercredi 20 Janvier 2010

Dancing in the Street at Victory for ‘Sexiest Man’ Scott Brown
TIMES ONLINE: Scott Brown, a previously obscure state legislator, lawyer and former male model, became the new star of the Republican Party yesterday, with some members suggesting that he should now aim for the White House.

The father of two delivered what he called a “voter bomb” to take the seat held by Edward Kennedy, the Democratic “Lion of the Senate” for 47 years — and by his brother John F. Kennedy before that.

Mr Brown, 50, triumphed in what is viewed as America’s most liberal state, provoking speculation that he could try for the Republican nomination for the presidency. But he told a Boston press conference: “To think about something higher ... I’m just honoured to be in this position.

“If you would have told me growing up — a guy whose mum was on welfare and whose parents had marital problems and I had some issues growing up — that a guy from Wrentham would be standing here and going to Washington, are you kidding me? It’s overwhelming.”

Rapturous supporters saw him as a symbol of Republican resurgence after the crushing defeat in 2008 that put Barack Obama in the White House and gave the Democrats control of both chambers of Congress.

Mitt Romney, the former Massachusetts Governor and Republican presidential contender, said that it could be a model for elsewhere: “This shows the American people are rejecting the arrogance of ‘Obama-ism’ — the idea that the government knows best.” >>> James Bone in Boston | Thursday, January 21, 2010

Republikanischer Sieg in Massachusetts: Ein Mr. Brown verändert Amerika
ZEIT ONLINE: Der Republikaner Scott Brown erobert den Senatssitz von Ted Kennedy und kippt die Machtverhältnisse in Washington. Für Obama wird das Regieren viel schwerer. Von Josef Joffe

Brown ist ein Allerweltsnamen in Amerika; jetzt klingt er wie "Gottseibeiuns" im Weißen Haus. Dieser Brown, mit Vornamen Scott, hat am Dienstag einen wichtigen Senatssitz in Massachusetts gewonnen und damit die Vorherrschaft der Demokraten in diesem "exklusivsten Club der Welt" gebrochen.

Brown war bis vor ein paar Tagen ein kaum bekannter Staats-Senator im Lande der Kennedys. Jetzt hat er die Machtverhältnisse im Senat, wenn nicht gar in Washington überhaupt umgestülpt – mit der magischen Zahl "41": So viele Senatoren haben die Republikaner nun nach seinem vor zwei Wochen noch für unmöglich gehaltenen Sieg. Damit fehlt den Demokraten just die eine Stimme, die sie brauchen, um einen "Filibuster" der Opposition abzuwürgen. Der Filibuster ist die Dauerrede, die verhindert, dass es zur Abstimmung kommt, die Republikaner können damit nun jedes Gesetz blockieren.

Bislang verfügten die Demokraten mithilfe von zwei Unabhängigen über die notwendige Stimmenzahl von 60 Senatoren. Diese Supermehrheit ist nun dahin.

Aber die Sache hat auch noch eine hochsymbolische Seite. Dieser Brown hat den Sitz des verstorbenen Ted Kennedy erobert, den dieser mehr als ein halbes Jahrhundert innehatte. Der Patriarch des Clans und Bruder von John F. Kennedy war der Großwesir des linken Lagers in der Demokratischen Partei, der Mentor Obamas und praktisch der Erfinder der leidenschaftlich umkämpften Gesundheitsreform, die nun noch weiter verwässert werden wird. >>> Josef Joffe | Mittwoch, 20. Januar 2010

GOP Victory Upends Senate: Brown Claims Massachusetts Seat, Throws Health Revamp Into Doubt; Democrats Reel


THE WALL STREET JOURNAL: BOSTON—A little-known Republican shook up the balance of power in Washington by winning a U.S. Senate seat in Massachusetts, a result that imperils President Barack Obama's top legislative priorities and points to trouble for his party in this year's elections.

With 99% of the vote counted, Republican Scott Brown was leading his opponent, Massachusetts' Democratic Attorney General Martha Coakley, 52% to 47%, according to the Associated Press, which declared Mr. Brown the winner.

The Brown victory forces the White House and congressional leaders to decide how—or whether—to salvage their long-sought health-care overhaul. Rushing the bill after losing Massachusetts carries political risks. So does letting it collapse. >>> Greg Hitt and Peter Wallsten | Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Republicans Take Ted Kennedy's Seat in Massachusetts in Historic Upset
TIMES ONLINE: Republicans scored an historic victory overnight that put President Barack Obama's agenda in jeopardy exactly a year after he took power - and could kill health-care reform.

A little-known Republican state legislator came from a 30-percentage point deficit to win Edward Kennedy's old seat in the US Senate in Massachusetts in what appeared to be a massive protest vote against the party that controls both chambers of Congress and the White House.

"This is a huge wake-up call for the Democrats, for the Obama Administration and the country. America is fed up of the arrogance coming from Washington," said Andy Card, White House chief of staff in the George W. Bush Administration.

Democrats were reeling from the by-election defeat, which deprived them of the 60-seat "super-majority" that allows them to overcome Republican filibusters in the 100-member US Senate.

Scott Brown, a lawyer, military officer and former male model, has promised to use his Senate vote to defeat the Democrats' health-care reform, which was on the brink of passage after decades of trying.

Democrats pledged to try to ram through health-care reform despite the loss, but they risk a popular backlash if they do so.
Yesterday’s vote was seen as a referendum on Mr Obama's presidency and his signature initiative, health-care reform. >>> James Bone in Boston | Wednesday, January 20, 2010

TIMES ONLINE: Dwindling US influence reduces expectations of Obama to year of words >>> | Wednesday, January 20, 2010

MAIL ONLINE: Republican victory in Massachusetts delivers Obama's first defeat: A little-known Republican senator whose previous claim to fame was posing nude in a women's magazine nearly 30 years ago, has delivered Barack Obama's first defeat of his presidency.

Scott Brown took the seat of Massachusetts in the by-election - or special election, as it is known in America - forced by Ted Kennedy's death in August of brain cancer.

For weeks, Scott Brown has been the underdog as he faced off against Democratic Attorney General Martha Coakley in the race for the US Senate.

But last night Mr Brown, who portrays himself as 'an ordinary, pick-up truck driving guy', took his place after Ms Coakley conceded in what had been considered a Democratic stronghold. >>> Mail Foreign Service | Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Hot or wot? Scott Brown in Cosmopolitan thirty years ago. Photo: Mail Online

THE INDEPENDENT: Republicans' leading man was a Cosmo centrefold >>> David Usborne, US Editor | Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Scott Brown Says Massachusetts Result Shows Voter Anger
BBC: The shock Republican winner of a Senate election in the Democratic stronghold of Massachusetts has said he tapped into mounting aggravation among voters.

Scott Brown's victory is a serious setback to President Barack Obama's key domestic agenda on reforming healthcare and passing a climate change bill.

The result stunned Democrats and means Republicans now have enough Senate votes to impede the president's plans.

Mr Brown will be Massachusetts' first Republican senator since 1972.

The BBC's Paul Adams, in Boston, says it is a humiliating defeat for the Democrats, and a deeply unwelcome anniversary present for President Obama exactly one year after his inauguration.

He adds that it is one of the biggest political upsets in years - in a seat held for almost half a century by Edward Kennedy, a Democratic Party colossus, who died last year.

Senator-elect Brown told NBC's Today show he did not think the vote was a referendum on President Obama's first year in power.

He said it was a sign of voter disenchantment over partisan gridlock in Washington.

Mr Brown, 50, also said voters had "enjoyed the message" he pushed while campaigning, including his criticism of Mr Obama's healthcare plans. >>> | Wednesday, January 20, 2010



TELEGRAPH PICTURE GALLERY: Scott Brown defeats Democrat to become Senator of Massachusetts >>>

Muslim Group Files Complaint against College
BOSTON HERALD: A Muslim-American advocacy group filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission over a Boston college’s policy that forbids face coverings, including traditional Islamic garb.

The Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences banned face coverings last fall, citing security and the need to be able to match students with their mandatory photo IDs, and a college spokesman says the only two female Muslim students on campus who might be affected had no objection.

But Ibrahim Hooper, spokesman for the Washington-based Council on American Islamic Relations, which filed the complaint, said, “Even though the policy refers to students it will clearly impact the staff and employees as well.” >>> O’Ryan Johnson | Thursday, January 07, 2010

Massachusetts College Bans Face Coverings, Muslims Outraged
DIGITAL JOURNAL: A Massachusetts college has banned students, faculty, and staff from wearing any kind of face covering, outraging some Muslim groups. The ban is believed to be the first of its kind at a U.S. college.

A spokesman for the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences told the Boston Globe yesterday that the ban was intended to protect the public safety on its three campuses. The prohibition includes such items as ski masks and scarves, and is not specifically aimed at the traditional Islamic burka.

“It’s no surprise that college safety has become a huge issue of importance in the past couple years,” said college spokesman Michael Ratty. “This is another measure that public safety [officials] wanted to implement to keep the campus safer.” >>> Martin Laine | Wednesday, January 06, 2010

Pharmacy School Bars Covering of the Face
THE BOSTON GLOBE: The Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences has banned students, faculty, and staff from covering their faces on its three campuses in an effort to ensure public safety, a college spokesman said yesterday.

But the new policy has drawn flak from a Muslim civil rights and advocacy group, which wants the school to exempt Muslim women who veil their faces for religious reasons.

“It’s a very strange policy,’’ said Ibrahim Hooper, a spokesman for the Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations. “I don’t know where it came from. The only thing we can conclude is that it’s designed to specifically target Muslims.’’

Sarah Wunsch, staff attorney at the ACLU of Massachusetts, called the policy “puzzling and possibly illegal.’’ >>> Martin Finucane | Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Obama’s Beer Fails to Cool Fiery Race Row
THE SUNDAY TIMES: The president’s reaction to the arrest of a black scholar has dented his reputation and distracted Obama during a tough week

THEY are calling it bar-stool diplomacy – a novel attempt by President Barack Obama to cool a heated racial controversy by inviting the offended parties to settle their differences over a beer at the White House.

Yet the president’s efforts to limit the fallout from a row over the arrest last week of Henry Louis Gates Jr, a black Harvard professor, may serve to extend a furore that has shaken the White House and raised questions about Obama’s vaunted leadership skills.

The row showed no sign of diminishing yesterday as Massachusetts media pressed for the release of police tapes that could shed new light on the angry exchanges between Gates and Sergeant James Crowley, a white officer who arrived at the professor’s Cambridge home to investigate a report of a break-in.

The incident led to a rare breakdown of Obama’s previously impressive political judgment. Having spent much of the past two years steering clear of racial controversy and nurturing an image of so-called “postracial” conciliation, the president plunged unexpectedly into the Gates affair.

He declared on Wednesday, when it was still far from clear what had happened, that the Massachusetts police had “acted stupidly” by arresting Gates, whom Obama described as a personal friend.

By Friday evening, Obama was back-pedalling furiously and his invitation to Gates and Crowley to join him for a beer was interpreted as an acknowledgment by the president that he had spoken too hastily in “maligning” the police. “I could have calibrated those words differently,” he said. >>> Tony Allen-Mills in Washington | Sunday, July 26, 2009

Cambridge Police Demand Apology from Barack Obama Over 'Stupid' Comments
THE TELEGRAPH: American police unions have demanded an apology from Barack Obama after he accused an officer of "acting stupidly" by arresting leading black scholar, Prof Henry Louis Gates.

Police representatives queued up at a press conference to insist race had played no part in the incident and the president should retract his "disgraceful" comments and apologise to Sgt James Crowley.

However Mr Obama refused to apologise at a hastily arranged White House press conference where he said: "In my choice of words, I unfortunately gave the impression that I was maligning the Cambridge Police Department or Sergeant Crowley specifically."

"My words didn't illuminate they only added to the media attention," he added.

He also revealed that he had telephoned Sgt Crowley.

Mr Obama criticised police earlier this week after the incident involving Prof Henry Louis Gates who was arrested after trying to force a jammed front door at his home near Harvard University. >>> Alex Spillius in Washington | Friday, July 24, 2009

Where Do You Think This Is? Saudi Arabia? Oman? Wrong! Boston, Massachusetts, USA!
Watch video: Islam in Boston >>>
The Dawning of a New Dark Age – Paperback (US) Barnes & Noble >>>
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Muslims Confer on Politics and Rights
MARLBORO— The leader of a Muslim organization said Muslims made a costly error in supporting George W. Bush for president in 2000 and cautioned American followers of the Islamic faith that the current field of presidential candidates is filled with closed-minded racists.

"After 9-11, there is a new America and new challenges for us (Muslims) to face," said Agha Saeed, founder and chairman of the American Muslim Alliance, Saturday night at the organization’s East Coast regional conference at the Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites.

Mr. Saeed, a professor of political science and sociology at the University of California at Berkeley, did not identify the candidates with alleged racial prejudices but urged conference attendees to closely examine the track records and rhetoric of presidential hopefuls who espouse security, immigration and other policies that would impinge on the civil rights of Muslims.

He said Muslims must educate themselves about the American political system and must forge partnerships with African-American and other minority groups in a bid to protect their liberties. Mr. Saeed also warned conference participants of candidates seeking the support of evangelical groups. Muslims confer on politics and rights: Group discusses candidates, issues >>> By Bronislaus B. Kush

Mark Alexander