Notebook | Obama will act fast to repeal Bush rules

Notebook |

WASHINGTON — In one of his first acts as president, Barack Obama plans to lift a rule that prevents federal money from going to international family-planning groups that counsel women on abortion or perform the procedure.

Obama's repeal of the policy is one of several executive actions he will take soon after his inauguration Tuesday, according to several transition aides. He is also considering lifting Bush administration restrictions on federally funded stem-cell research.

At the same time, Obama's team is doing a wholesale review of scores of rules and regulations set in motion by Bush administration officials as Bush's term wound down, the aides said, with an eye toward delaying them until the review is completed.

Critics say some of the rules weaken worker protections and civil liberties.

Protesters' shoe toss called "cathartic"

Anti-war protesters threw shoes outside the gates of the White House on President Bush's last day in office.

About 500 people marched to the White House and threw about 40 pairs of shoes at the gate and a 25-foot-tall inflatable Bush figure in a "Mission Accomplished" flight suit while tourists looked on and took photos.

Supporters say they acted in solidarity with Muntadhar Al-Zeidi, the Iraqi reporter who threw his shoes at Bush during a news conference in Baghdad in December. He faces trial in Iraq.

"This is totally cathartic," said Ashley Hill, of Durango, Colo., who picked up a pair of strappy brown leather Steve Madden sandals from one of the piles of donated shoes strewed around Washington's Dupont Circle.

Michelle steals show from Miley

Michelle Obama got a response bigger than teen star Miley Cyrus at Monday night's teen- and tween-filled "Kids' Inaugural: We Are the Future" concert in the Verizon Center.

"You kids are the future of this great nation," Obama said to the crowd largely made up of military families and their charged-up children. "We need every American to serve their community, including our young people."

What can kids do? she wondered aloud: Volunteer in a homeless shelter, visit an elderly person or write letters to U.S. troops.

"For many of you, they're your moms and dads, right?" Obama said.

"Barack, Malia, Sasha and I are so grateful for the service and sacrifice all our military families make to help keep this nation safe."

Cyrus complimented the Obama girls, well-known fans of Cyrus' Disney TV alter ego, Hannah Montana.

"You girls must be awfully proud of your dad — and so am I," Cyrus said, inviting her father, singer Billy Ray Cyrus, to join her for a performance on stage.

Cheney injures back during move

Vice President Dick Cheney pulled a muscle in his back while moving boxes and will be in a wheelchair for Tuesday's inauguration ceremony.

White House press secretary Dana Perino said Cheney was helping to move into his new home outside Washington in McLean, Va., when he injured his back.

Gates designated to be absent

Defense Secretary Robert Gates will spend Inauguration Day well away from the festivities as the Cabinet official designated to carry on government functions in the event of a catastrophe, a White House official said.

Gates, 65, will be sent to an undisclosed location during the day when others in the immediate line of presidential succession — vice president, Speaker of the House, president pro tempore of the Senate, secretary of State and Treasury secretary — are at the Capitol for President-elect Obama's swearing-in.

Such "continuity of operations," as they are called, were established after President Truman signed the Presidential Succession Act in 1947.

Biden's wife dishes on "Oprah" show

The wife of Vice President-elect Joseph Biden told Oprah Winfrey on Monday that her husband had been offered a choice between being Barack Obama's running mate or his secretary of State, prompting Biden to try to shush her into silence.

Jill Biden's comment, during a taping of Winfrey's TV show, was an implicit insult to New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, the person Obama ultimately nominated to head the State Department, because it suggested she was not Obama's first choice.

The vice president-elect tried to hush his wife as soon as the words came out of her mouth, with a loud "shhh!" that sent the audience into laughter.

Biden aides say he was never offered a choice, although Obama discussed both jobs with him.

Seattle Times news services