Quite a while ago, I vowed not to do regular posts noting the president’s declining poll numbers. After a while, there just wasn’t any point — he’s unpopular; we get it. But today marks an interesting milestone in the annals of Bush’s declining political fortunes. Chris Bowers explains. His current disapproval rating in the latest […]
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: * What do you know, McCain’s campaign can get worse: “Sen. John McCain’s top political strategists Tuesday resigned from their posts with the Arizona Republican’s presidential campaign. Campaign Manager Terry Nelson and Chief […]
Over the weekend, the LAT reported that Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) had joined the growing chorus of Senate Republicans no longer willing to support the president’s war policy. “It should be clear to the president that there needs to be a new strategy,” said Sen. Lamar Alexander of Tennessee. “Our policy in Iraq is drifting.” […]
Earlier this year, as his presidential campaign was just getting off the ground, Rudy Giuliani needed a far-right senator, preferably from the South, who could give his campaign a boost. Such a person could help bolster Giuliani’s conservative bona fides, prove that he could garner institutional support on McCain’s turf, and point to Giuliani’s potential […]
Yesterday, after a flurry of unexpected announcements from Republican senators about their dissatisfaction with the president’s war policy, there were several reports about the White House scrambling to change course. In reality, the president’s team, reportedly in the midst of heated debate, is desperate to figure out a way to rally support for the status […]
In March, we learned that the Bush Justice Department, more specifically the FBI, was engaged in widespread, illegal misuse of “national security letters” (NSLs). Using NSLs, the FBI has the power to obtain secret information about Americans — including phone calls, internet visits, even credit ratings — whether they’re suspected of wrongdoing or not. Officials […]
Under normal circumstances, I wouldn’t much care what Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) does in his personal life. What he does in his bedroom is his business. But these aren’t quite normal circumstances. Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) apologized last night after his telephone number appeared in the phone records of the woman dubbed the “D.C. Madam,” […]
Today’s edition of quick hits. * There’s been some confusion about Libby’s post-commutation probation. The law says probation is supposed to begin after a prison sentence ends; Bush Law says Libby should be on probation in lieu of a prison sentence. Judge Walton was unclear whether to follow actual law or the White House’s version, […]
When I took the GRE exam for grad school, I remember the word “filibuster” was used in a question to test one’s vocabulary. As a poli sci major, I was delighted to see it, but I remember thinking, “Is ‘filibuster’ a hard word? Are most people unfamiliar with it?” Probably so. Indeed, Kevin ponders a […]
Salon’s Alex Koppelman adds an odd twist to the White House/Congress conflict over testimony of former Bush aides. We just got off the phone with Tracy Schmaler, a spokesperson for the Senate Judiciary Committee’s Democratic majority. Schmaler told us it is her understanding that — despite President Bush’s invocation of executive privilege in regards to […]