Today’s edition of quick hits.<\/p>\n
* I’ll have a thorough report tomorrow about what we learned from Kyle Sampson today, but what was up with the GOP-led interruption this afternoon? Apparently, Republican lawmakers objected under Senate rules to the continuation of the hearing. It’s unclear whose bright idea it was, but Republicans quickly said there was a “misunderstanding” and withdrew their objections.<\/p>\n
* On a related note, one of the more eyebrow-raising moments from the hearing this afternoon was Sampson’s admission that he broached the subject of purging Patrick Fitzgerald<\/a> in the midst of his Plame investigation. He wouldn’t say<\/a> whether he spoke with Rove about the idea.<\/p>\n * And on yet another related note, Sampson had a creative way<\/a> of explaining what he meant by “loyal Bushies.”<\/p>\n * As if Karl Rove didn’t have enough to worry about from Dems investigating the purge, Henry Waxman has some follow-up questions<\/a> related to the burgeoning GSA controversy.<\/p>\n * Thomas Friedman started his NYT column<\/a> yesterday, “Sometimes you read something about this administration that is just so shameful it takes your breath away.” His piece was about the politicization of science, but as Steve M. noted today<\/a>, “Tom? A lot of us think that happens every day<\/i>.”<\/p>\n * Howard Dean fans will be pleased to know that the DNC chairman is getting along much better lately with the Democratic congressional leadership. After some very<\/i> heated conflicts with former DCCC Chairman Rahm Emanuel (Ill.) in advance of the 2006 cycle, Roll Call reports<\/a> that “relationships…have improved markedly in the 110th Congress.” New DCCC Chairman Chris Van Hollen (Md.) said that despite some internal party dust-ups with Dean in the past, “everyone is on the same page” heading into 2008. Funny how winning helps everyone get along better. * Solid Boston Globe editorial<\/a> today on the Bush-Congress conflict over Iraq: “It is certainly true that the votes are an extraordinary challenge to a president carrying out a war on foreign soil. But what is more historic than the action itself is the accumulation of misguided strategies and bungled efforts on the ground — all defended obstinately by Bush — that led Congress to it.”<\/p>\n * The only real downside to a renewed debate over the Equal Rights Amendment? We get to hear a lot more from Phyllis Schlafly. Yesterday, for example, she insisted<\/a> that married women cannot be sexually assaulted by their husbands. “By getting married, the woman has consented to sex, and I don’t think you can call it rape,” Schlafly said. Insane.<\/p>\n * During a conference call yesterday with a group of conservative bloggers, John McCain scoffed at those who want to measure success in Iraq in six-month intervals. The DNC, however, found several examples of McCain doing exactly that<\/a>.<\/p>\n * Harold Meyerson explains<\/a> that the “inability of Republicans to change their ways in the face of massive unpopularity is downright spooky.”<\/p>\n * A federal judge struck down<\/a> two Iowa laws yesterday that prohibit the misuse and desecration of an American flag, calling them unenforceable and unconstitutional. The American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa brought a lawsuit on behalf of a man charged with a misdemeanor for flying a flag upside down and writing on it and another man also charged with flying a flag upside down.<\/p>\n * The very clever folks at JibJab have unveiled their latest s<\/a>hort, this time skewering television news. It’s my favorite to date. (thanks to SKNM for the tip)<\/p>\n
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\n* The president’s habit of nominating right-wing judges for lifetime positions on the federal judiciary continues unabated<\/a>. (The Senate’s habit of confirming them, however, is over.)<\/p>\n