Today’s edition of quick hits.
* No big surprise: “For the 2nd time this year, a federal judge has thrown out a lawsuit filed by a Florida democrat delegate angry over party rules that have threatened to keep Florida Delegates from being seated at the upcoming Democratic Convention. Once again US District Judge Richard A. Lazzara ruled Wednesday the DNC did not violate any laws in stripping Florida’s delegates of their voting powers.”
* The White House pushback against Scott McClellan intensified as the day has gone on: “Former White House counselor Dan Bartlett lashed out at Scott McClellan in a telephone interview Wednesday, saying the allegations that the media was soft on the White House are ‘total crap.'”
* On a related note, Republicans probably won’t care for this, either: “On Thursday morning, Scott McClellan will be interviewed on NBC’s ‘Today’ show. That night, it’s MSNBC. Indeed, Keith Olbermann has scored the first cable interview with McClellan on Thursday night on ‘Countdown,’ according to a network release.”
* I’ll have more on this in the morning: “President Bush said Wednesday that rebuilding Iraq and Afghanistan while battles rage is proving difficult, and ‘we’re learning as we go.'”
* In the credit-where-credit-is-due department, the Supreme Court did the right thing yesterday, ruling that “employees are protected from retaliation when they complain about discrimination in the workplace, adopting a broad interpretation of workers’ rights under two federal civil rights laws.”
* I’m actually starting to feel encouraged: “Signaling a generational shift in attitudes, a new Field Poll on Tuesday said California voters now support legal marriage between same-sex couples and oppose a state constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage. By 51 to 42 percent, state voters believe gay couples have the right to marry, according to a May 17-26 poll of 1,052 registered voters.”
* As part of the criminal investigation against Rep. Rick Renzi (R-Ariz.), prosecutors have questioned John McCain staffers.
* It’s about freakin’ time: “The oil giant ExxonMobil has admitted that its support for lobby groups that question the science of climate change may have hindered action to tackle global warming. In its corporate citizenship report, released last week, ExxonMobil says it intends to cut funds to several groups that ‘divert attention’ from the need to find new sources of clean energy.”
* The WaPo had an interesting item on MSNBC getting all kinds of criticism of late. Republicans insist the network leans to the left, but I suspect the network brass won’t want to mess with what works: “NBC executives say the ratings growth at MSNBC — up 61 percent this month in prime time, compared with a year ago — has made it a target.”
* Reporters, for reasons that defy comprehension, continue to buy into the GOP spin that says Obama thinks hunters use handguns to hunt ducks. He doesn’t.
* Which pollsters have done the best in predicting the results this year? FiveThirtyEight takes a look with a helpful analysis.
* I didn’t realize Sen. Jim Webb (D-Va.) opposes the death penalty. Good for him.
* Will McCain keep Hagee’s campaign contribution?
* I don’t want to alarm anyone, but it appears that Republican policies make the gap between rich and poor considerably worse. Shocking, I know.
* Can’t say I blame them: “With eight months left in President Bush’s term, scores of senior officials already are heading for the exits, leaving nearly half the administration’s top political positions vacant or filled by temporary appointees, federal statistics show.”
* Bush, McCain, and the longest 47 seconds ever.
* And finally, Dana Perino told reporters that Bush “doesn’t wish for a third term.” I guess it’s unanimous then.
Anything to add? Consider this an end-of-the-day open thread.