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: * Bush was the featured speaker for the national Republican Party at its annual gala last night, helping the party raise $10.5 million. The AP noted that it was a paltry sum, compared […]
There may be a Plan B — but it’s a secret
When it comes the administration’s approach to the war in Iraq, there’s obviously no clear sense of what Bush’s “Plan B” might look like, but moreover, it’s never been clear whether the president’s team even thinks a backup strategy is necessary. In January, Condoleezza Rice told senators that it would irresponsible to even consider the […]
The Giuliani campaign only cares about millionaire farmers
Rudy Giuliani’s presidential campaign, disorganized and off-message for a few too many weeks, didn’t need another controversy that makes the candidate look ridiculous. It got one anyway. In advance of a campaign swing through Iowa, a Giuliani aide contacted Deb and Jerry VonSprecken, farmers who had recently donated to Giuliani’s campaign. The staffer asked if […]
Gonzales stops trying
No matter what the circumstances, in politics or out, an employee who believes his or her job is on the line is going to behave a certain way. He or she will be on their best behavior, doing everything possible to impress those who might help decide his or her fate. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales […]
Illustrative votes on war funding
As you’ve no doubt heard by now, the House held two big votes on war funding last night, one on partial funding for two months and another on a near-total withdrawal of U.S. forces within nine months. The prior passed, despite a presidential veto threat, and the latter fell short, but the votes are worth […]
Thursday’s Mini-Report
Today’s edition of quick hits. * British Prime Minister Tony Blair announced his retirement today after 10 years in office. He will stand down as PM on June 27 and is expected to endorse Gordon Brown as his successor. * There were a variety of fascinating moments during today’s House Judiciary Committee hearing with Attorney […]
Meet the new head of USAID
Randall Tobias’ tenure as administrator for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) turned out to be rather embarrassing for the president. Tobias not only pushed an ineffective “abstinence-only” policy, drawing the ire of public health officials around the world, but he also had an unfortunate association with a DC “escort service,” which he used […]
Brownback drops obstructionist tactics
Long time readers may recall that I’ve been following the bizarre tale of Janet Neff, a Bush judicial nominee for a federal District Court judge in Michigan. Generally, it’s Senate Dems who object to the president’s court nominees, sparking howls of “obstructionism!” by the GOP, but in this case, Sen. Sam Brownback (R-Kan.) has blocked […]
Iraqi lawmakers endorse U.S. withdrawal timeline
For a variety of reasons (terrorism, crumbling infrastructure, boycotts, fear), Iraq’s parliament doesn’t meet very often to govern, but that doesn’t mean lawmakers don’t have noteworthy things to say. A majority of Iraqi lawmakers have signed onto draft legislation calling for a timetable for the withdrawal of foreign troops from Iraq and demanding a freeze […]
Waas: Administration withheld emails about Rove
National Journal’s investigative reporter Murray Waas has been digging into the White House’s role in covering up its involvement in the prosecutor purge. This one looks like a doozy. The Bush administration has withheld a series of e-mails from Congress showing that senior White House and Justice Department officials worked together to conceal the role […]