News organizations concerned about access issues at the Obama White House

Representatives from Obama’s press office held a conference call with photo editors, who are concerned that the administration prefers distributing photos taken by a White House photographer in cases where photojournalists have been permitted access in the past…

…Television network bureau chiefs also protested the exclusion of video cameras from the second oath of office…

…Four reporters witnessed the oath of office and shared their observations with others, and a White House photo was released.

“We think it was done in a way that was upfront and transparent,” White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said in a briefing when questioned why video cameras were not present.

What goes around, comes around. How enamored are the media with their messiah now?

Another case makes it to conference at the Supreme Court. I’m guessing it will be denied just like the others.

Lightfoot v. Bowen, S168690, Supreme Court of CA
Denied on Dec. 3. Filed with SCOTUS 08A524 on Dec. 12, denied Dec. 17 by Justice Kennedy. UPDATE: Distributed for conference Jan. 23, 2009 by Chief Justice Roberts.

Unknown to most Americans, a number of lawsuits are winding their way through the nation’s court system. The basic premise is a challenge to Obama’s eligibility for the office of POTUS. I wish I could offer an up to the minute status on each case, but this research is taking longer than expected AND I have been very busy at home, so here is the list without updates. I do not know if this is a complete list. I’ll update as time allows.

Given that the SCOTUS has denied consideration of two lawsuits on this issue and since the Electoral College has voted, I doubt that these cases will go anywhere. But you never know.

State cases concerning eligibility of Barack Obama for POTUS:

California
Joan Corbett v. Bowen, 30-2008-00114112-CU-FR-CJC, Orange County
There was an ex parte hearing Nov. 3 and no further docket activity, so I’m guessing this case is dead at the Superior Court level. No appeals found with CA Supreme Court.

Keyes v. Bowen, 34-2008-80000096-CU-WM-GDS, Sacramento County
Filed Nov. 13; hearing set for March 13, 2009.

Lightfoot v. Bowen, S168690, Supreme Court of CA
Denied on Dec. 3. Filed with SCOTUS 08A524 on Dec. 12, denied Dec. 17 by Justice Kennedy. UPDATE: Distributed for conference Jan. 23, 2009 by Chief Justice Roberts.

Georgia

Rev. Tom Terry v. Handel, 08CV158774S
Filed with Georgia Supreme Court Nov. 3, S09D0284, Dec. 3 dismissed as moot. Motion for reconsideration filed Dec. 15, pending.

Hawaii

Martin v. Lingle, 1CC08-1-002147, Honolulu County
Denied; emergency motion for reconsideration filed Dec. 1. Opposition to motion filed Dec. 12. I can’t tell from the court website if this is on calendar but there is no case termination date so I assume it’s still alive.

Kentucky

Daniel John Essek v. Obama, Kentucky Eastern District Court, 6:2008cv00379 (Whitley County)
Filed in District Court Nov. 25

North Carolina
Lt. Col. Donald Sullivan v. NC Board of Elections, Pender County
No further info available

Texas

Jody Brockhausen v. Andrade

Darrel Hunter v. US Supreme Court
Appeal filed in Texas Northern District Court, 2:2008cv00232
- filed in SCOTUS, Docket number unknown

Washington

James E. Broe v. Reed, King County

Investigating:

Susan Herbert v. United States of America, Barack Obama and John Roberts
Florida Middle District Court, 3:2008cv01201
Filed Dec. 15

Susan Herbert v. Barack Obama and United States
Florida Middle District Court, 3:2008cv01164
Filed December 4, 2008

Kamal K. Roy v. United States of America, George W. Bush, John McCain and Barack H. Obama
Hawaii District Court, 1:2008cv00513
Filed November 13, 2008

Gordon Allen Stamper v. United States of America, R. Barclay Surrick, Barack Hussein Obama and John McCain
Ohio Northern District Court, 1:2008cv02593
Filed November 3, 2008

By BRIAN BAKST

A Minnesota board on Monday certified results showing Democrat Al Franken winning the state’s U.S. Senate recount over Republican Norm Coleman, whose lawyer promised a legal challenge that probably will keep the race in limbo for months.

The Canvassing Board’s declaration started a seven-day clock for Coleman, the incumbent, to file a lawsuit protesting the result. His attorney Tony Trimble said the challenge will be filed within 24 hours. The challenge will keep Franken from getting the election certificate he needs to take the seat in Washington.

“This process isn’t at an end,” Trimble said. “It is now just at the beginning.”

By PHILIP ELLIOTT

President-elect Barack Obama declared Thursday he was “absolutely certain” his staff members engaged in no dealmaking concerning the filling of his former Senate seat, and he announced an investigation into whether they had contacts with anyone on the subject.

Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich was arrested Tuesday, accused of using his authority to choose Obama’s replacement in the Senate to barter for campaign cash or a lucrative job inside or outside government. The governor has ignored calls for his resignation and declared his innocence. He retains the power to appoint a Senate successor to Obama.

The president-elect said he was “as appalled and disappointed as anybody” by the allegations. He said that neither he nor his transition team have been a part of the continuing federal investigation, using language that was very specific but left several questions unanswered.

John Wildermuth, Chronicle Staff Writer

With their registrations sinking and their political clout withering, California Republicans have come out of the November election in danger of slipping into political irrelevance across much of the state.

“There’s been a broad repudiation of traditional conservative Republicans in California,” said Tony Quinn, a former GOP analyst and co-editor of the California Target Book, which focuses on political contests in the state. “There are almost no areas in the state that can be considered safely Republican anymore.”

Since 2004, Republican registration has dropped by more than 317,000 in the state, while Democrats have picked up 563,000 new voters. Five previously GOP counties, including San Joaquin, Stanislaus and San Bernardino, now have more Democrats than Republicans.

Post your comments and links regarding the Obama citizenship eligibility issue in the comments section of this post and, at first opportunity (bearing in mind that I have a day job), I will move it in full to the main post. OR, if you have a lot to say, use the POST HERE button and have a post all your own!

Either way we can make this a collaborative project. Post all views but keep it civil! Profanity, threats or empty ad hominem attacks will be deleted!

As I noted in an earlier post, the Donofrio case that was today denied for certiorari was not the only case challenging Obama’s eligibility for the office of POTUS filed with the SCOTUS. Another case has been distributed by Justice Scalia for the conference of December 12: Cort Wrotnowski v. Susan Bysiewicz, Connecticut Secretary of State, No. 08A469.

As plaintiff is just a citizen voter and not a government official or candidate for office it is most likely (IMHO) that the SCOTUS will deny the petition for lack of standing.