We’ve seen news items about Bush appointees politicizing their agencies. And we’ve seen items about Bush appointees being wholly unqualified for their jobs. And we’ve seen items about Bush appointees doing special favors for wealthy corporate benefactors, at the expense of the public’s interests. And we’ve seen items about Bush appointees undermining quality science. But […]
As the prosecutor purge scandal has grown more serious in recent weeks, I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the number of [tag]conservative[/tag] voices criticizing the [tag]administration[/tag]. While many dismissed the controversy as a “non-story” initially, plenty of conservative blogs, magazines, and lawmakers have expressed concerns, particularly about [tag]Alberto Gonzales[/tag] staying on as [tag]Attorney General[/tag]. And then […]
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: * Here’s the kind of item that might disrupt the nominating process: the New Hampshire State House approved a measure yesterday that allows the Secretary of State to move its primary up ahead […]
Rudy Giuliani’s Bernie Kerik problem may prove to be a little more complicated than previously thought: the former NYC mayor told a grand jury that his former chief investigator remembered having briefed him on Kerik’s organized crime connections before Giuliani named Kerik police commissioner. Mr. Giuliani, testifying last year under oath before a Bronx grand […]
Seinfeld fans no doubt recall a 1994 episode called “The Opposite.” George Costanza realizes that life is filled with choices, and he always foolishly chooses the wrong one. It occurs to him that the answer to his problems, therefore, is to make a decision — then do the opposite. As Jerry tells his friend, “If […]
About two weeks ago, The Politico’s Mike Allen reported that the White House had practically decided to fire Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and already begun putting together a short list of possible replacements. Allen’s article turned out to be largely wrong and the White House made a concerted effort to demonstrate its support for the […]
I listened to most of [tag]Kyle Sampson[/tag]’s seven-hour hearing yesterday, but a mere five words stood out for me: the [tag]prosecutor[/tag] purge “wasn’t scientific or well-documented.” It explained so much of the [tag]Bush[/tag] administration’s style of governing. There were some compelling developments yesterday, and Attorney General Alberto Gonzales was in worse shape at the end […]
Today’s edition of quick hits. * I’ll have a thorough report tomorrow about what we learned from Kyle Sampson today, but what was up with the GOP-led interruption this afternoon? Apparently, Republican lawmakers objected under Senate rules to the continuation of the hearing. It’s unclear whose bright idea it was, but Republicans quickly said there […]
Today’s press briefing included a real gem from spokesperson Dana Perino on the looming standoff over how best to fund the troops in Iraq. A reporter, who I believe was NBC’s David Gregory, noted that there’s clearly a chasm between the congressional spending bill (with a withdrawal timeline) and the White House’s demands for a […]
Several pundits have declared the point so obvious that it became instant conventional wisdom: Democrats on the Hill want to hold the administration accountable through oversight, but the public doesn’t care. David Broder said there’s no political upside to the prosecutor purge scandal, so Dems should focus attention elsewhere. John Harwood and Brian Williams said […]