The White House seemed quite pleased with itself. After weeks of private arm-twisting and public demagoguery, the Bush gang appeared to get exactly what it wanted on Monday: the complete absence of any anti-escalation resolutions in the Senate. Newsweek highlighted the president’s “notable triumph,” and said Bush “found a way to win, or at least […]
Today’s edition of quick hits. * The so-called “surge” is underway. * John McCain is, officially, the biggest hack in the Senate. * For all of the things that makes Joe Lieberman popular amongst Republicans, they probably won’t care for this: Sen. Joseph Lieberman, the Connecticut independent who has been a staunch supporter of the […]
There’s no official word yet on whether John Edwards’ presidential campaign has fired Pandagon’s Amanda Marcotte and Shakespeare’s Sister’s Melissa McEwan yet. Salon reported that the dismissal has already happened, but Edwards’ spokesperson cautioned Salon against reporting that they have been fired and said, “We will have something to say later.” Presumably, the internal debate […]
The LA Times had a fascinating article today on the audiotape played during Scooter Libby’s trial, in which jurors heard about Cheney and Libby crafting their own secret plan to leak previously classified intelligence — but wouldn’t tell other senior White House officials. As Libby sat silently in the courtroom, jurors heard his recorded voice […]
No, not that one; I’m referring to “filibuster.” According to a report in Roll Call today, the latest Republican effort to block the Senate agenda is going to be over the budget. Senate Democrats and Republicans are headed for a classic game of chicken this week over the nine remaining fiscal 2007 appropriations bills. Senate […]
There was plenty of grumbling in December when the new Democratic congressional leadership announced that lawmakers could forget about the two- and three-day work weeks they enjoyed during the GOP’s reign; from now on, Congress would work five days a week. Most of the complaining happened before the new schedule was even implemented. Now that […]
Following up on an earlier post on the pseudo-scandal about John Edwards’ official bloggers, an emailer who wishes to remain anonymous suggests I’m being hypocritical. I’ve made a big deal about who Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) has brought onto his campaign staff, so I “shouldn’t be surprised” when there’s similar scrutiny applied to a Democrat’s […]
Let’s see, Dick Cheney is the most controversial Vice President since Spiro Agnew was forced to resign in disgrace. Lynne Cheney is a controversial, far-right activist and author of some very racy novels. Mary Cheney is controversial in far-right circles because she’s a pregnant lesbian. And then there’s Philip Perry, the Department of Homeland Security’s […]
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: * Mitt Romney will make if official on Tuesday, Feb. 13, when he formally kicks off his presidential campaign. Romney’s announcement speech will be delivered in his original home state of Michigan, instead […]
I don’t plan to make a habit out of praising Republican presidential candidates, but as my friend Ron Chusid noted, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee (R) is being downright sensible when it comes to one of the staples of the GOP’s culture war: state-sponsored school prayer. The family that prays together doesn’t have to worry […]