Today’s edition of quick hits.
* Easing the crisis in Pakistan? “Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf has decided that parliamentary elections will be held by Feb. 15 and reiterated plans to step down as head of the Army, partial concessions to the pressure building on him from Washington and inside Pakistan since he declared a state of emergency over the weekend.” Hundreds of members of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto’s political party were rounded up in overnight raids — “the first time that party activists have been targeted since the emergency was declared.”
* The first four vetoes of Bush’s presidency stuck. The fifth did not: “President Bush suffered the first veto override of his seven-year-old presidency Thursday as the Senate enacted a $23 billion water resources bill despite his protest that it was filled with unnecessary projects. The 79-14 vote included 34 Republicans who defied the president.” The House voted 361-54 to override the veto on Tuesday.
* TPMM: “Rep. Artur Davis (D-AL) asked during today’s hearing whether even the impression that the U.S. tortures makes it more likely that an adversary in a future conflict — he used the Iranians as an example — would torture captured U.S. or allied troops. Former Navy instructor Malcolm Nance said he considered it a ‘guarantee’ that other nations now have ‘a legal standard to subject American soldiers to enhanced interrogations.” U.S. Air Force Reserve Colonel Steve Kleinman said he “agree[s] entirely.'”
* House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said today that Bush’s request for Iraq spending will begin to unfold this week, when congressional Democrats bring up a measure to give the administration $50, out of the $200 billion Bush requested, but make the down payment conditional on withdrawing U.S. troops from Ira by the end of next year. Asked if the measure will pass, Pelosi said, “Well, we are restating the differentiation between ourselves and the president of the United States. The American people have spoken very clearly about their opposition to the course of action in Iraq. I believe that this legislation gives voice to the concerns of the American people, and, at the same time, strives to meet the needs of our troops.”
* Joe Lieberman defended his Kyl-Lieberman measure on Iran today, insisting that “left-wing blogs” made up “conspiracy theories” about his legislation. (I think we’re getting to him.)
* TPMM: “On the heels of today’s torture hearings in a House Judiciary subcommittee, Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), the subcommittee chairman, and Rep. William Delahunt (D-MA) have introduced a bill to force all American interrogators to conform to the Geneva Conventions-compliant standards of the Army Field Manual on Interrogation (pdf). That would mean no waterboarding, no ‘cold cells,’ no stress positions.”
* It wasn’t a perfect bill, but the House passed the Employment Nondiscrimination Act (ENDA) last night, “granting broad protections against discrimination in the workplace for gay men, lesbians and bisexuals.” Dems have been trying to pass the bill since 1974, so the vote was a bit of milestone. Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.) vowed to push a companion bill in the Senate, though its chances aren’t as good. Bush has already vowed to veto the bill, should it reach his desk.
* Bush backers would have us believe Iraq is going swimmingly, but Americans aren’t buying it: “Opposition to the Iraq war is at an all-time high despite reports of a reduction of violence in the country, according to a CNN/Opinion Research Corp. poll released Thursday.” A record-high of 68% oppose the war, while support has dropped to 31%, a new low.
* NBC’s Today show managed to do a report on Bernie Kerik’s pending indictment without mentioning Rudy Giuliani to viewers at all. That’s amazing.
* This is a national disgrace: “Veterans make up one in four homeless people in the United States, though they are only 11 percent of the general adult population, according to a report to be released Thursday. And homelessness is not just a problem among middle-age and elderly veterans. Younger veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan are trickling into shelters and soup kitchens seeking services, treatment or help with finding a job.”
* Remember those rumors this week that Rosie O’Donnell might join the MSNBC primetime line-up? Well, the rumors were true, the two really were in talks, but the deal apparently fell through. O’Donnell acknowledged as much on her site last night. Under the heading “the show that never was,” she wrote, “we were close to a deal/almost done.” She added: “well what can u do/2day there is no deal/poof/my career as a pundit is over/ b4 it began.”
* FEMA’s recent fake press conference has claimed a second victim. Aaron Walker, press secretary for FEMA, submitted his resignation to the administration’s chief David Paulison Wednesday afternoon.
* I hardly ever watch Fox News, and had no idea the Republican network airs so much smut. Won’t someone please think of the children?
* If a Saudi prince offers disaster relief after suggesting U.S. policies contributed to the 9/11 attacks, Rudy Giuliani doesn’t want the support. If a crazed TV preacher offers political support after suggesting Americans contributed to the 9/11 attacks, Giuliani is more than happy to accept the support.
* Enjoy the Wall Street Journal now; Rupert Murdoch is about to add his personal touch to the once-great newspaper: “[Murdoch] said yesterday that when he assumes control of Dow Jones, his ‘first priority’ will be to change the Wall Street Journal and ‘get it as we like it.’ Murdoch has been accused in the past of suggesting ‘specific editorial views’ at some papers he’s owned.”
* And the political world was abuzz this afternoon on the suggestion that Hillary Clinton went to a diner in Iowa recently and forgot to leave a tip. For the record, Clinton campaign spokesman Phil Singer said the campaign paid $157 for lunch and left another $100 for the tip. Media personalities will have to find something else to talk about tonight on Hardball.
Anything to add? Consider this an end-of-the-day open thread.