The Dem filibuster that blocked John Bolton’s nomination to be U.N. ambassador on the Senate floor yesterday offers some interesting subtexts. The media seems particularly interested in the fight upsetting the comity that resulted from the Gang of 14’s compromise earlier this week. But let’s not lose sight of the fact that Bill Frist took […]
About a month ago, there was a mini-controversy surrounding Sen. Rick “Man on Dog” Santorum and his effort to go after the National Weather Service. In a nutshell, Santorum’s legislation would prohibit federal meteorologists at the National Weather Service from competing with companies such as AccuWeather and The Weather Channel. A free government service, available […]
I’ve had several posts noting the problems the Air Force has had with its academy in Colorado Springs permitting — and in some cases, encouraging — religious intolerance and harassment against minorities. It’s only fair, therefore, to note that the Air Force seems to be making a concerted effort to make things right. The Air […]
I didn’t see the episode, but it sounds like pretty entertaining dialog. On a recent episode of NBC’s “Law & Order: Criminal Intent,” officers were searching for the fictional killer of two judges. Police believed right-wing extremists were involved. Frustrated by a lack of clues, one officer joked, “Maybe we should put out an APB […]
I’m largely indifferent to the fate of Disney, but when a very silly religious right groups ends a ridiculous boycott without any of its demands being met, I’m pleased. A conservative Christian group has ended its boycott of the Walt Disney Co., launched nine years ago in response to what leaders perceived as the erosion […]
Joshua Green has a tremendous piece in the current issue of Rolling Stone, of all places, on Tom DeLay and the efforts that have led him into his current predicament. It suggests the left, after years of struggling, has finally figured out how to go after the GOP majority aggressively and effectively. First, Green sets […]
Roll Call has a really interesting article today (alas, it’s unavailable to non-subscribers) on Wesley Clark and the role he is establishing for himself in Dem policy circles. There’s a lot to this. Retired Gen. Wesley Clark has taken a high-profile role, both on and off Capitol Hill, as a Democratic spokesman and foreign policy […]
Like Atrios, I think the local report in Texas offered the best perspective on what transpired this morning. State District Judge Joe Hart ruled Thursday that Texans for a Republican Majority violated state campaign law when it failed to disclose more than a half-million dollars in corporate contributions during the 2002 state legislative elections. Hart, […]
Today’s installment of campaign-related news items that wouldn’t generate a post of their own, but may be of interest to political observers: * Rep. Harold Ford (D-Tenn.) formally announced yesterday that he will run in 2006 for the seat being vacated by Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R). He’ll face State Sen. Rosalind Kurita (D) […]
When Bush first publicly threatened to veto the Castle-DeGette stem-cell legislation, the idea was the power of his warning would intimidate the House to back down. It didn’t work — 50 House Republican joined 187 Dems in passing the bill. So Bush tried again yesterday, insisting that he’s inflexible about supporting the potentially life-saving research. […]