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Subscribe to RSSVice President Joe Biden swears in Hawaii's Lieutenant Gov. Brian Schatz as a new senator to replace the late Daniel Inouye.
With a ride on Air Force One already under his belt, the newest member of the United States Senate took his oath of office Thursday, less than 24 hours after the governor of his home state announced he'd be tapped for the job.
Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, who replaces the late Sen. Daniel Inouye, was sworn in by Vice President Joe Biden at 2:36pm ET.
Schatz most recently served as the state's lieutenant governor and previously led Hawaii's Democratic party. Gov. Neil Abercrombie picked his 40 year-old deputy over Rep. Colleen Hanabusa, who was Inouye's choice to be his successor.
With Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid eager to assemble every Democratic vote possible as the "fiscal cliff" approaches, Schatz rushed to Washington after his appointment was announced yesterday. He hitched a ride with President Barack Obama, who cut his Hawaii vacation short to return home for work on a potential deal to avert the automatic spending cuts and tax increases slated for January 1.
"It was a lovely flight," Schatz said upon his arrival, according to a pool report. "I slept almost the whole way."
Schatz said he was informed of his appointment to the seat yesterday at about 1 p.m. and that he didn't know he would be riding on Air Force One until later in the day. His family flew commercially to be present for the swearing-in.
The scramble also included a hasty purchase of a heavy overcoat for the transition to the chilly D.C. climate.
"I bought this coat yesterday," he told reporters, gesturing to his new outerwear.
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Schatz is the son of Irwin Schatz, a cardiologist and native of Saint Boniface, Manitoba ... a Canadian eh! America your nation will be saved ... Canadians know how to do stuff like keeping banks from going bankrupt.
Sen Brian Schatz said, "I believe global climate change is real and it is the most urgent challenge of our generation.”
The low lying islands around the world are facing flooding - just one of the many pending climate change crises we're facing.
Backhouse- We in hawaii,are still in a drought,for thepast two years. We are suffering from the other side of globle worming. At the very least, you and the rest of America, have water!!!!!!!!!! In the summer you suffered this drought, while w have beensuffering it for two years! So let me make it clear to you and others! Know what your talking about, before you open you fat mouth, and puy your FEET,in to it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Common knowledge that due to global warming, low lying islands around the world are severely threatened by flooding - due to sea levels rising.
Look at islands around India and the Arctic.
The effects of global warming is complicated: As a result, there are droughts in some places and too much moisture in others.
A unique perspective and, I hope, an accurate one. :)
Add to that low lying areas of the mainland. Also global climate shifts. Ask the people of N. New Jersey and the New York City region.
Wow, Mr. Biden sure didn't waste any time swearing him in......I wonder why.
Now, maybe if Mr. "Pocket Veto" Reid could move as quickly. Wait a minute, he was on the Congressional floor today blaming the Republican leadership on his FAILURES.
Wait another minute.....shoot first then ask questions later. Sounds a lot like the White House, the White House Press Team, the State Department, and the U.N. Ambassador.
Diversion to Global Warming.....must be another Progressive tactic.
Exito,
Are the blindfolded GOP-ers all right with:
The NYC subway system being flooded over and over again?
What a slap in the face to a highly decorated senator who recommended a minority candidate replace him. Yep the party of minorities seats a white guy from Hawaii a democrat stronghold and the racist GOP seats an African American from the "deep" south in SC. You can't spin this one and have credibility at the same time.
I hope someone checks the new Senator's birth certificate. You know how lax they are with those in Hawaii!!
Nothing like overlooking the data. Folks are appointed for a combination of reasons.
Btw "race" is a culturally constructed concept.
As long as you are manufacturing outrage, try that one.
Schatz has big shoes to fill. He is replacing a man who served with great honor and integrity. Hope he does as well!
SeekingSanity- Not shoes CANOES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Question- Is he for the hawaiian nation,or state of hawaii ???????????? If its the latter, then we will revolk him, and the governer!!!!!!!!!
Congratulations to Sen. Schatz. I am glad that he is there in the Senate to support the Democratic party agenda.
Steeler. ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? on him!
Wow, that was fast. Good thing as Reid is going to need the vote.
As a democrat from Hawaii, I would have to call this a sham! our governer has paid for some of his debt, from his last campain, by sending the Lt Gov. to replace Dan.Inouye in the senate. With Gabard there,and with all if her background, in washington, she was past over,for a person unknown to the Hawaii voters. The past two years, this Lt Gov. was never heard from,gaveNO input to the problems, facing Hawaii, and only thing he did,was support tax increases, on the Hawaiian people. I can not state this any stronger, " We the people,of hawaii, have been betrayed, by our own Governr!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Democrats put party politics first !
Hawaii is getting exactly what they voted for.... They are very loyal slaves...
Just so everyone out there understands... I don't know who melvin perrells is, but his commentary is not representative of the Democrats of Hawaii, it is his own personal opinion. Often, I can tell whether someone is a liberal or conservative by the tone of their comments. He says he is a Democrat, but his tone is that of a conservative.
Tulsi Gabbard is a fine representative and we are proud of her, but she was not among those designated by the Hawaii Democratic Party as one of the three recommended to the governor to be appointed to this seat. I would suggest, Mr. Perrells, that just because you did not hear Lt. Gov. Schatz's contributions to the issues in Hawaii doesn't mean he made no contribution.
Wow, another Community Organizer with ties to KENYA. Looks like Schatz and Mr. Obama will be rubbing elbows. What a deal !!!!!
Tulsi Gabbard will be in DC. She was elected to the US House.
Welcome to the senate where a minority of 41% of it can hold you hostage to never do anything in their plan to take down organized government. Don't feel real bad towards just them though, there are about 230 congressmen over in House of Reps that will do it to you if they won't... but maybe not past 2014.
BigBarcatBill, good thought! While the repos. are out enjoying the Holidays, it leaves only the dems,there to work. Let deduct all the pay for the MIA repos,for the month of dec.2012! this should help the economy out!
Democrats never have the problem doing the same thing when in the minority.
My entire problem, with Schatz, is the fact that he is an-unknown! The majority of hawaii, knows very little about him, and what his possision on the facts, of Hawwaiis needs! This should have taken a little longer,so as to inform us of this appointment. We are left in the dark,about this man!!!!! Is he for the Nation of Hawaii,or just the State of Hawaii???????????????????????????? He knows of all the illigal doings,America has done to the native Hawaiians!!!!!!!! What is his possision? Is he only for American interest only? Is he for helping the natives, who were wrongfully,stolen from? Governer I voted for you once, But if these questions are not addressed,it will be the last time I will ever vote for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Try doing some research. There is plenty online about Schatz's positions and experience.
Melvin, you are a complete unknown. Please stay that way.
Brian Schatz is well known to Hawaii's citizens. He served in the State House of Representatives for several terms from a central Honolulu district, he was CEO of Helping Hands Hawaii, a major charitable organization and was elected Lieutenant Governor two years ago. To Democrats specifically he was also Chair of the Democratic Party and President Obama's first campaign for president. He has been a tireless worker and committed public servant for the past 15 years. He's just 40, a family man, and while filling Senator Inouye's shoes is a daunting task, Senator Schatz has the patience and humility to serve the people of Hawaii as well for as many years, should he and the voters choose that path. I for one think it's a perfect choice, for the nation and for Hawaii. The other candidates have fine qualities but Brian Schatz brings a little bit more to the table.
She says in a adoring infatuated kinda way!
While it would have been nice for the Senate to have an Asian female in it, I'm sure there will be some soon. It's likely the appointed senator will face strong competition for re-election, which is a good thing.
Mazie Hirono, a previous Lt Gov of Hawaii, was elected to replace retiring Dan Akaka. Senate now has a female asian.
facebook sucks.