Yesterday, California became the first state in the nation to pass a bill to legalize same-sex marriage without a court order. The California Assembly voted Tuesday to allow gay and lesbian couples to marry, making the state’s legislature the first in the nation to deliberately approve same-sex marriages and handing a political hot potato to […]
About 1,400 firefighters responded to the call from FEMA early last week. They were told to prepare for “austere conditions,” and bring backpacks, sleeping bags, first-aid kits and Meals Ready to Eat. The firefighters responded in kind, packing their gear and preparing to help deal with a disaster. Were they on their way to the […]
If you have a few minutes, you should definitely read the transcript of today’s White House press briefing. Remember a couple of months ago when the reporters smacked Scott McClellan around for an hour over the Plame scandal? It was about as bad today. There were too many heated exchanges to list them all, but […]
We’ve seen repeatedly over the last week that thousands of people on the Gulf Coast wanted to heed hurricane warnings, but lacked the resources to leave. They rely on public transportation, can’t afford a car, and couldn’t afford to pay for accommodations, even if they did evacuate. Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.) has considered the circumstances […]
The “bubble,” unfortunately, never really bursts. [Bush’s second trip to the disaster zone] studiously avoided the hardest-hit areas of Katrina and the itinerary all but guaranteed that he’d be met with friendly audiences. The displaced persons he met at the Bethany World Church were well cared for and for the most part grateful for their […]
Roll Call ran an interesting item (sub. only) today, under the headline, “Bush’s Grip on GOP in Peril?” I don’t know if I’d go so far as to say “peril,” but, at a minimum, the piece makes a compelling case that the president’s standing is at its lowest point since, well, ever. President Bush’s command […]
As if the victims of Hurricane Katrina didn’t have enough to worry about, there’s that damn bankruptcy bill from earlier this year. Hurricane Katrina is expected to cause a spurt of bankruptcy filings by storm victims — and sweeping changes in U.S. bankruptcy laws may leave them even more strapped than they otherwise might be. […]
There’s been ample discussion of congressional hearings and the possibility of some kind of independent commission to review and analyze the series of breakdowns associated with the Hurricane Katrina disaster. The good news is, the president apparently supports the idea of a formal probe. The bad news is, Bush wants to lead it. Beset with […]
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: * Two top-tier Republican presidential candidates are dealing with far-right ads against them in early primary states. John McCain is the subject of a new Club for Growth ad, which is running in […]
In July, shortly after Sandra Day O’Connor announced her retirement, word from the White House was that Attorney General Alberto Gonzales was at the top of the president’s short list. C. Boyden Gray, White House counsel under the first President Bush and someone brought in to help this Bush make his selection, made the president’s […]