Today’s edition of quick hits.
* John Rizzo, Bush’s nominee to become the CIA’s general counsel, appeared before the Senate Intelligence Committee for a confirmation hearing. Rizzo, who had signed on the infamous Bybee memo in 2002 that cleared the way for torture in U.S. interrogations, did not back away from his previous policy positions under questioning from skeptical senators.
* The White House loses the fear factor, Part I: “The change, say GOP operatives, is the absence of fear about being perceived as something less than an ardent Bush backer. ‘What’s the penalty now, Karl being mad at you?’ Republican pollster Tony Fabrizio asked with a laugh, referring to Bush political adviser Karl Rove. ‘Who cares? Even his former chief strategist (Matthew Dowd) walked away from him and pissed all over him.'”
* The White House loses the fear factor, Part II: “Sen. Trent Lott (R-MS), on whether Karl Rove still holds the same stature among Republicans that he once enjoyed: ‘Certainly not. Obviously, I’m not a fan.'”
* After years of work at the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, weakening voting rights for African-American voters, Hans von Spakovsky told senators last week that he was just a small cog in a machine, who barely had any power at all. Those who worked with him directly know better.
* I probably should have taken the time to tear apart Richard Cohen’s ridiculous column on the Plame scandal today, but I just didn’t get to it. Unfortunately for Cohen, Glenn Greenwald found the time. (I also loved this line from Avedon: “Question: How can you tell the difference between Richard Cohen and a GOP political operative? Answer: You really can’t, anymore. Today’s column comes straight off the RNC talking points.”)
* I never get tired of stories making fun of Conservapedia.
* The Politico did a feature item on me today – complete with a picture. (publius referred to “Big Media Benen” today, which caught me a little off guard….)
* My friend Scout Prime has an important piece on FEMA authorizing overbilling for private insurance companies through the National Flood Insurance Program.
* CNN is making a fuss today about Larry King’s new podcasts. That’s fine, I suppose, but Larry King is also the guy who recently said he didn’t know what the Internet is. “I’ve never done it, never gone searching…. I wouldn’t love it. What do you punch little buttons and things?”
* I have no idea why the media automatically awards the “pro-family” label to Republican presidential candidates, but when the media gives Dems equal treatment, I’ll feel much better about the news coverage. I have a hunch I’ll be waiting a long while.
* Gallup: “A new Gallup Poll will only reinforce those who claim that while the rich get richer most Americans don’t feel they are sharing in the growth in our economy. The stock market may be climbing and the unemployment remains relatively low, but 7 in 10 Americans believe the economy is getting worse — the most negative reading in nearly six years.”
* What do Ted Stevens, Bolivian cocaine and Halliburton have in common? Take a look at Michael Scherer’s story on how the Alaskan Inupiat Eskimos got a no-bid contract in South America from the U.S. government.
* Speaking of Stevens, his corruption scandal is getting more intense.
* Here’s a great Q&A on the U.S. Attorney purge scandal.
* I will never, ever, understand the mentality of a man who believes gay people, even members of his own family, deserve to die. The minds reels.
* I think the Pentagon is going to need more than ABC’s Geoff Morrell to help with public relations. As James Joyner put it, “Frankly, I’m not sure hiring Walter Cronkite could accomplish that at this point.”
Anything to add? Consider this an end-of-the-day open thread.