Today’s edition of quick hits.<\/p>\n
* I love<\/i> the new DNC ad<\/a> about “stay the course.” Considering the fact that some of these quotes were just aired a few days ago, I also applaud the DNC for a nice, quick turn-around on putting the spot together.<\/p>\n * The prize for the fastest high-profile denunciation of the New Jersey Supreme Court’s ruling on same-sex relationships goes to Sen. Sam Brownback<\/a> (R-Kansas). This surprises…absolutely no one.<\/p>\n * Military prosecutors have told the Pentagon’s Criminal Investigation Task Force “not to worry about making a criminal case against alleged 9\/11 accomplice Mohammed al-Qahtani} because what had been done to him would prevent him from ever being put on trial.” In other words, the Bush administration may have made it impossible to prosecute<\/a> the man who may be the 20th hijacker.<\/p>\n * On Monday, Rep. Barbara Cubin (R-Wyo.), after a contentious debate, threatened<\/a> a rival whose multiple sclerosis keeps him confined to a wheelchair. Yesterday, Cubin said<\/a>, “In retrospect I was wrong in what I said and I apologize.”<\/p>\n * The British military wants to withdraw troops from Iraq within a year<\/a>.<\/p>\n * The American people want to withdraw troops from Iraq within a year<\/a>, too.<\/p>\n * As much as 55% of the budget of some reconstruction projects in Iraq goes to overhead<\/a>. 55%<\/i>? A government estimate released yesterday explained that, in some cases, more money was being spent “on housing and feeding employees, completing paperwork and providing security than on actual construction.” The highest proportion of overhead was incurred in oil-facility contracts won by … wait for it … Halliburton. * The CIA’s personnel problems<\/a> seem to be more than a little serious, particularly now.<\/p>\n * What is it with congressional Republicans and their shady land deals<\/a>? (thanks to K.Z. for the tip)<\/p>\n * How big a political problem is the war in Iraq for GOP congressional candidates? Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R) is urging Republican hopefuls not to talk about the issue<\/a> on the campaign trail at all. Wow.<\/p>\n * Media Matters asks<\/a>, “RNC Ad Received Free Airtime; Will DNC Get the Same Treatment?” I have a hunch we know the answer to that one.<\/p>\n * GOP slogan of the day from conservative \u00fcber-activist Paul Weyrich<\/a>: “I suppose we’ll have to vote the jerks back in and see what we can do.” As Michael Crowley asked<\/a>, “Why can’t the Democrats come up with winning soundbites like that?”<\/p>\n
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\n* Wesley Clark 1<\/a>, Bill O’Reilly 0.<\/p>\n