In recent weeks, the congressional Dems’ plans for Iraq started to take on a wake-me-when-it’s-over quality. They were going to embrace Murtha’s “readiness strategy,” then they weren’t. They were going to revisit the 2002 AUMF resolution, then they weren’t. They were going to consider additional nonbinding resolutions, then they weren’t. Everyone seemed ready to move […]
In case there were any lingering doubts, the Bush gang implicitly conceded yesterday that they consider the prosecutor purge scandal to be potentially damaging. We can tell, of course, because the Bush gang started backpedaling. The Bush administration, accused of politicizing the hiring and firing of U.S. attorneys, agreed Thursday not to oppose legislation to […]
Today’s edition of quick hits. * I haven’t been reporting much on the House Dems’ negotiations on putting together Iraq legislation, in large part because I thought it best to wait and see what they put together. I’ll have more details tomorrow, but for now, this AP report emphasizes the key detail: the Dems’ spending […]
When Clinton was president, congressional Republicans held thorough, high-profile hearings, especially in the House, with remarkable consistency. Henry Waxman once explained, “There was no accusation too minor to explore, no demand on the administration too intrusive to make.” Republicans investigated whether the Clinton administration sold burial plots in Arlington National Cemetery for campaign contributions. They […]
Following up on an item from yesterday, the Obama stock/blind trust “controversy” is part of a disconcerting pattern. Atrios referred to it as “Whitewater Journalism,” and noted this terrific post by Digby, written a couple of weeks ago. These are patented Whitewater-style “smell test” stories. They are based on complicated details that make the casual […]
If we’re willing to concede that the GOP’s far-right base isn’t altogether pleased with the leading Republican presidential candidates, then it stands to reason that other competitors are going to work hard to fill that void. Could Newt Gingrich fit the bill? It seems unlikely, given his background (serial adulterer, largely secular background, inattention to […]
A week ago, the Washington Post reported that Rep. C.W. Bill Young (R-Fla.), the former chairman of the House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee, and his wife, used to routinely visit recovering troops at [tag]Walter Reed[/tag], but stopped in 2004 “out of frustration.” As the Post noted, “Young said he voiced concerns to commanders over troubling incidents […]
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: * According to a new NBC/WSJ poll, Sen. [tag]John McCain[/tag] is “facing unexpectedly formidable challenges,” and now trails [tag]Rudy Giuliani[/tag] in a head-to-head match-up by 20 points nationally. The WSJ adds, “All told, […]
My schedule has a few unusual twists and turns today, some of which will sporadically keep me away from my desk. I’ve recruited The Reaction’s Michael J.W. Stickings to, once again, help out. I will, however, have some posts today. And now, back to the news….
Today’s edition of quick hits. * John Edwards has become the first presidential hopeful to announce that he will not participate in a Fox News-sponsored debate in Nevada later this year. “We will not be participating in the Fox debate,” deputy campaign manager Jonathan Prince said. “We’re going to make lots of appearances in Nevada, […]