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Drudge Report
Iran already has enough fuel for one nuclear bomb, according to a New York Times report that leads the Drudge Report. A report that Iran also has increased its uranium stockpile adds to the problems that President-elect Obama will face. ... READ MORE

The Huffington Post
The $25 billion auto bailout is on ice now that Senate leaders have decided to postpone a vote on it, according to the front page of the Post. The country, however, can't let the auto industry collapse because that will ... READ MORE

Townhall.com
President Bush's last-minute abortion rulings are affording doctors who refuse to perform abortions on moral grounds the same kind of protections that conscientious objectors to wars receive, writes Carol Platt Liebau. Conservative columnist Kathleen Parker seems to have become an ... READ MORE

RedState
Tom Daschle, the former Senate Democratic Leader tapped by President-elect Barack Obama to serve as Health and Human Services Secretary, is yet another "un-fresh face" and presents more lobbying conflicts for the incoming administration, writes Pejman Yousefzadeh. Democrat Al Franken's ... READ MORE

The Corner
President-elect Barack Obama faces a dilemma now that he's taking charge and needs to reassure Americans about the same issues he criticized President Bush for handling, writes Victor Davis Hanson. Obama's sudden reliance on former Clintonites in his own administration ... READ MORE

TalkingPointsMemo
It's not reassuring that Citigroup, the nation's second-largest bank, is facing a crisis of confidence from investors now that its losses from credit cards, mortgages and debt are piling up, writes Josh Marshall. Democrat Al Franken picked up a net ... READ MORE

MyDD
The choice of Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano (D) for Homeland Security Secretary in the Obama administration is a gift to Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), who would have faced a tough challenge from her for his seat in 2010, writes Todd ... READ MORE

Daily Kos
World leaders at the G20 last weekend refused to shake President Bush's hand during a photo opp, writes NewAmericaPatriot, who has the video. The Bush administration's last-minute push for new regulations and to burrow in their civil service appointees will ... READ MORE

The Huffington Post
Three of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's (D-N.Y.) lawyers are vetting her for her possible appointment as secretary of State, notes the front page of the Post. Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean said that he's interested in doing policy work ... READ MORE

Drudge Report
The soaring costs for President-elect Barack Obama's inauguration could break the bank for Washington, D.C., according to the Drudge Report. In other political links, Drudge highlights reports that Obama has approached Defense Secretary William Gates to stay on, that Obama ... READ MORE

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July 2, 2008

Obama, In Speech on Service, Calls for Increase in Troops, AmeriCorps and Community Service

@ 4:49 pm by Walter Alarkon

Barack Obama set specific goals Wednesday for increased military and community service under an Obama presidency.

Obama, in a speech in Colorado Springs, Colo., said he would seek to increase ground forces by 65,000 soldiers and 27,000 Marines and quadruple the size of the AmeriCorps program, from 75,000 participants to 250,000.

Obama rued the lack of a call for service in the aftermath of 9/11.

"The burden of service has fallen almost exclusively onto the backs of our military and their families, who have endured tour after tour after tour of duty, bravely and brilliantly, even though they haven't always gotten the care and support that they have earned," he said.

Obama also proposed an increase in the USA Freedom Corps program to make it easier for Americans to find volunteer opportunities. As president, Obama would also set a goal for middle and high school students to perform community service 50 hours a week each year and for college students to perform 100 hours annually. And Obama said he would start a network for social investment funds, to increase money given to non-profit groups.

"Now, I'm not going to tell you what your role should be. That's for you to discover. But I am going to ask you to play your part, ask you to stand up; ask you to put your foot firmly into the current of history," he said. "I'm asking you to change history's course."




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