Today’s edition of quick hits. <\/p>\n
* CNN<\/a>: “Scandal-hit Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert announced Wednesday he will not be his party’s leader going into the next election. Citing ‘a wave of investigations and criticism’ at the hands of his political opponents, he said he will resign once his Kadima party elects a new chairman.”<\/p>\n * John Weaver, one of John McCain’s closest allies and confidants, is deeply unimpressed by the direction of the McCain campaign, and believes the latest campaign strategy “diminishes John McCain<\/a>.” Weaver called today’s celebrity-driven ad “childish.” Saying he’s had “enough,” Weaver added, “For McCain’s sake, this tomfoolery needs to stop.”<\/p>\n * For what it’s worth, Barack Obama was also asked<\/a> about the Britney-Paris ad: “You know, I don’t pay attention to John McCain’s ads, although I do notice he doesn’t seem to have anything to say very positive about himself. He seems to only be talking about me… You need to ask John McCain what he’s for and not just what he’s against.”<\/p>\n * Four members of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, including Committee Chairwoman Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) yesterday called on EPA administrator Stephen Johnson to resign<\/a>. That would be a very good idea.<\/p>\n * As expected, Bush signed the housing bill<\/a> into law today, with little fanfare.<\/p>\n * All of a sudden, Senate Republicans don’t want any of Ted Stevens’ money<\/a> in their campaign coffers. Imagine that.<\/p>\n * Hilarious Quote of the Day<\/a>: “What you’re going to see is a great debate. Which is what the American public deserves. None of this negative stuff, though. You won’t see it come out of our side at all.” – Cindy McCain, Today Show, May 8, 2008. * While serving as the nation’s chief law enforcement officer, Alberto Gonzales had no idea<\/a> what was going on around him. Good lord.<\/p>\n * But that’s all right, because the White House still likes him<\/a>.<\/p>\n * I know he’s not a blogosphere favorite, but when Joe Klein is good, he can be very good<\/a>.<\/p>\n * You’ll be pleased to learn that the McCain campaign is backing away<\/a> from one of its lies — the bogus assertion that Obama snubbed wounded troops because he wanted cameras around. Of course, the McCain campaign continues to falsely insist that Obama snubbed wounded troops anyway.<\/p>\n * Sen. Sam Brownback (R-Kan.) thinks it’s outrageous if the Chinese government tries to spy on people without warrants, oversight, or probable cause. But when the Bush administration does the exact same thing, Brownback thinks that’s fine<\/a>.<\/p>\n * A genuinely fascinating story<\/a> from Mother Jones: “Mary McFate was a prominent gun control activist. Mary Lou Sapone was a freelance spy with an NRA connection. They are the same person.”<\/p>\n * We’ve all heard comparisons between McCain and Grandpa Simpson. But it’s at least possible that the better comparison is to C. Montgomery Burns<\/a>.<\/p>\n * Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R) underestimates<\/a> the value of a Toyota Prius. (thanks to D.H. for the tip)<\/p>\n
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\n* Sounds good to me<\/a>: “The House on Tuesday issued an unprecedented apology to black Americans for the wrongs committed against them and their ancestors who suffered under slavery and Jim Crow segregation laws. ”Today represents a milestone in our nation’s efforts to remedy the ills of our past,” said Rep. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick, D-Mich., chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus.” The measure passed on a voice-vote; there is no final roll call.<\/p>\n