Let’s take a moment to consider what Americans learned about their government over the last six days. On Sunday, we learned that the National Intelligence Estimate, the most complete intelligence report completed by all available agencies, argues, in the words of one American intelligence official, “[T]he Iraq war has made the overall terrorism problem worse.” […]
Roll Call has the scoop: National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Tom Reynolds (N.Y.) issued a statement Saturday in which he said that he had informed Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) of allegations of improper contacts between then-Rep. Mark Foley (R-Fla.) and at least one former male page, contradicting earlier statements from Hastert. GOP sources said Reynolds […]
By the time the political world had learned of former Rep. Mark Foley’s (R-Fla.) resignation, there was reason to believe the central point of the scandal was already over. We’d learn more details about Foley’s messages, and there’s a likely criminal investigation on the way (Foley personally sponsored legislation making it a felony to solicit […]
Too often, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) is taken seriously. Of all the major conservative voices on the political scene, Gingrich is considered something of a “thinker.” He’s thought of as someone who cares about “ideas.” Gingrich isn’t just some nut who reflexively parrots right-wing talking points, the conventional wisdom tells us, he’s a […]
We’ll get to the latest developments in the Mark Foley scandal in a moment, but before we do, Carpetbagger regular Castor Troy raised a good point in comments that deserves a little more attention. Over the last 12 months (less, actually), House Republicans have made criminal defense attorneys in Washington very happy. * Duke Cunningham […]
First up from the God machine this week is a story about the burgeoning religious left movement, which is borrowing a page from their politically conservative playbook. A new group called Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good said yesterday that it will distribute at least 1 million voter guides before the Nov. 7 elections, […]
Guest Post by Morbo Through the grapevine here in the nation’s capital, I learned that the always-repulsive William Bennett spoke at the Religious Right’s “Values Voter Summit” last weekend, where he endorsed waterboarding our enemies. You remember Bill Bennett, right? As education secretary under Ronald Reagan, he achieved, well, nothing — except finding new ways […]
Guest Post by Morbo The Carpetbagger’s recent post about the increase in television sets in American homes was disturbing, but it overlooked an even more troubling trend: the rise of television in public places. I’ll admit I’m a snob when it comes to this topic. Over the past 10 years or so, I’ve become an […]
Today’s edition of items that definitely deserve attention, but which I just didn’t get to today. * In Mark Foley’s (R-Fla.) district, the latest news is Republicans cannot replace his name on the ballot. * The award for the most disturbing response to the Foley controversy comes by way of the fine folks at RedState, […]
I have to admit, as impressed as I was with Bill Clinton’s appearance on Fox News last weekend, I didn’t really expect the story to still be buzz-worthy six days later. And yet, here we are. Before Mark Foley (R-Fla.) resigned, the former president’s smackdown remained a major topic of conversation. Why, exactly, did this […]