After inexplicably keeping the numbers classified, the Pentagon released a report yesterday on the security conditions in Iraq, which included the number of attacks against American and Iraqi targets. Unfortunately, the results were in line with expectations — the Pentagon’s assessment showed violence reaching their highest post-invasion level, with an average of almost 960 attacks […]
Yesterday, I noted that Newsweek conducted a poll showing Hillary Clinton leading all of the top-tier Republican candidates in a hypothetical presidential match-up, and Barack Obama doing nearly as well, but the magazine neglected to report the results in its cover story about Clinton, Obama, and 2008. Newsday, reporting on the results, noted the omission […]
As noted earlier, the Washington Post had a fairly startling front-page piece today explaining that the Joint Chiefs of Staff are unanimous in their opposition to a White House escalation plan for the war in Iraq. It came as no surprise, therefore, to hear Press Secretary Tony Snow tell reporters that the White House and […]
Wall Street Journal editorial board member Robert Pollock explained on Fox News Channel recently that we need not worry about the burdens of a troop escalation in Iraq. To hear Pollock explain it, all the president has to do is push the military and the troops to the breaking point. On the December 16 edition […]
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: * In a pleasant surprise, Nancy Pelosi’s office announced this morning that Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) will replace Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-Ill.) as chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. Van Hollen, […]
Of all the likely 2008 presidential aspirants, Hillary Clinton seemed like the lone holdout. On current and forward looking policy, Clinton is right there with the rest of her Senate Dem colleagues, supporting the Reed-Levin proposal. But looking back, Clinton appears to be the only ’08 Dem who voted for the 2002 Iraq resolution, but […]
At a White House press conference the day after the November elections, a reporter asked the president, “Nancy Pelosi has been quite clear about her agenda for the first 100 hours. She mentions things like raising minimum wage, cutting interest rates on student loans, broadening stem cell research, and rolling back tax cuts. Which of […]
I’ve been following Sen. Sam Brownback’s (R-Kan.) obstructionist tactics of a Bush judicial nominee with great interest, in large part because it’s such a breathtaking example of Republican lunacy. I’m pleased to report that Brownback has finally dropped his objections, but not before one last ridiculous move. First, a little background. The president nominated Michigan […]
Last week, the WaPo noted that the White House, hoping to rally support for a “double down” troop escalation in Iraq, was running into some resistance among the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Since then, the division has grown more stark — the Bush gang has rallied behind the idea of sending up to 30,000 more […]
Today’s edition of quick hits. * It’s been weeks since a Republican member of Congress became the subject of a criminal inquiry, so it came as a bit of surprise to learn Rep. Tim Murphy (R-Pa.) is now under investigation for using his legislative staff to perform campaign work on government time. At last count, […]