With Tom DeLay out of the picture, there are three House Republicans vying to become the next House Majority Leader: John Boehner (Ohio), John Shadegg (Ariz.), and the frontrunner, Roy Blunt (Mo.). Listening to the competing pitches, the rhetoric is similar — all three are anxious to “reform” the way Congress operates, undercut lobbyists’ power, […]
I won’t pretend to be an expert, but I kind of thought Osama bin Laden wasn’t terribly interested in the notion of negotiations. That’s why this confuses me. Al-Jazeera on Thursday aired an audiotape purportedly from Osama bin Laden, who says al-Qaida is making preparations for attacks in the United States but offering a truce […]
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: * A poll conducted by the University of Virginia Center for Survey Research asked Virginians who they’d prefer for president: Gov. Mark Warner (D) or Sen. George Allen (R). Virginia may be a […]
From the beginning of the controversy, the White House has defended its warrantless-search program with a series of equally unpersuasive arguments, usually focusing on two central points: Congress’ 9/11 resolution empowered Bush to do this and Congress was briefed so oversight requirements had been met. Two weeks ago, the non-partisan Congressional Research Service rejected the […]
As scandals go, the investigation into former HUD Secretary Henry Cisneros was always pretty weak. In case you’ve forgotten, Cisneros, during an FBI background check, acknowledged an extramarital relationship he had years prior, and admitted to having paid the woman, but misled investigators about how much he gave her. An independent investigator, David Barrett, began […]
I noted earlier this week that several religious leaders in Ohio filed a complaint with the IRS against some conservative churches that have been helping Republican candidates, specifically Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell (R), despite legal restrictions on intervening in political campaigns. Yesterday, as Sarah Posner noted, Blackwell encouraged the churches to keep doing […]
On Tuesday, House Republicans unveiled their lobbying “reform” proposal, which, oddly enough, makes it easier for lawmakers to accept campaign contributions while enjoying lobbyist-paid perks. Yesterday, Dems from both chambers unveiled a plan with more teeth. Rather than limiting the value of a gift to $20, as House Republicans are considering, Democrats would prohibit all […]
Most reporters haven’t shown interest in the story, but the president’s “signing statement” on Congress’ prohibition of torture is still something the White House just can’t spin. At yesterday’s press briefing, a reporter noted that Bush’s statement seemed to offer him some wiggle room around Congress’ ban, and asked Scott McClellan whether the president will […]
White House press secretary Scott McClellan brought this upon himself. He said he’d investigate what kind of access Jack Abramoff had to the White House. He said just last week that he wants to make sure he offers reporters “a thorough report…hopefully very soon.” And now he’s also the one who doesn’t want to talk […]
It’s been a fascinating month for CNN. After watching Bob Novak switch to Fox News, the once-proud network quickly hired two far-right political figures to replace him: best-selling compiler Bob Bennett and far-right radio host Glenn Beck. Actually, make that three. CNN has found a new conservative commentator: Former Republican congressman J.C. Watts Jr. “will […]