Two weeks ago today, Attorney General Alberto Gonzales apparently backed down from a year of wrangling over warrantless domestic searches. After arguing incessantly that the surveillance program was absolutely necessary, had to be kept separate from FISA, and could not be altered under any circumstances, Gonzales told the Senate Judiciary Committee that the administration was […]
‘No, it did not answer my question’
When the president sat down with NPR’s Juan Williams this week, the host passed along a question he received from Spec. Ryan Schmidt, who is currently serving in Iraq. It’s a question a lot of us have been wondering about. WILLIAMS: You know, you mentioned timetables. NPR has a reporter embedded with the Minnesota National […]
‘Honesty in elections’
Candidates, campaigns, and political parties have been misleading voters for about as long as there have been elections. Last year, we saw some pretty blatant and shameful GOP tactics — Maryland’s infamous “Democratic Sample Ballot” come to mind — which, fortunately, did not work as well as intended. But that doesn’t mean the dirty tricks […]
Keeping Fox News ‘in the freezer’
I’ve often thought there should be some kind of consequence for Fox News’ more ridiculous behavior. Apparently, I’m not the only one. These are chilly days on Capitol Hill … and on the campaign trail for Fox News journalists — at least when they’re anywhere near Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.). Sources tell The Sleuth that […]
Wednesday’s political round-up
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: * At a campaign stop in South Carolina, Republican Mitt Romney once again had to face questions about whether his Mormon faith would be an impediment to his White House aspirations. “I’ve had […]
The gloves come off early?
It’s inevitable that ’08 Dems are going to go after one another. It’s too big a field, too competitive a race, with too many serious challengers, to avoid some serious intra-party squabbles. No one wants to see the eventual nominee come out of the process bruised and beaten by his or her own side, but […]
Before the new Iraq funding, consider the old Iraq funding
The timing of this report isn’t at all good for the Bush administration. Just as the president is asking Congress to approve billions of additional reconstruction dollars for the war in Iraq, lawmakers (and the rest of us) are learning about how the last reconstruction package was spent. Here’s a hint: not well. The U.S. […]
Obama one-ups Senate rivals, sets date for troop withdrawal
Sen. Joe Biden (D-Del.) unveiled a non-binding resolution condemning the president’s policy. It was followed by Sen. Chris Dodd’s (D-Conn.) resolution that would cap troop numbers on January 16 levels. Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) unveiled her own resolution, requiring the president to get Congress’ permission before sending additional troops. Yesterday, Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) went […]
‘I think he might run us over!’
There’s a metaphor for Bush’s presidency in here somewhere. Does President Bush have it in for the press corps? Touring a Caterpillar factory in Peoria, Ill., the Commander in Chief got behind the wheel of a giant tractor and played chicken with a few wayward reporters. Wearing a pair of stylish safety glasses — at […]
Tuesday’s Mini-Report
Today’s edition of quick hits. * One key facet to the escalation policy that’s gone largely unmentioned: “Boosting U.S. troop levels in Iraq by 21,500 would create major logistical hurdles for the Army and Marine Corps, which are short thousands of vehicles, armor kits and other equipment needed to supply the extra forces, U.S. officials […]