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Enough pandering already
Tweet Share on Facebook June 28, 2006 CommentJust when you thought it was impossible to top the blatant pandering to the GOP base (i.e. votes on the flag burning amendment and gay marriage ban), there comes this heart-stopping press release from House GOP leaders announcing something called an "American Values Agenda." And just what would that agenda be? Immigration reform? Healthcare for all? Social Security reform?
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The first Democratic primary
Tweet Share on Facebook June 23, 2006 CommentNever underestimate the Democrats' ability to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. The war in Iraq is increasingly unpopular, as is the president–and the Republicans decided they needed to find a way to frame the debate.
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Safavian first to fall in Abramoff scandal
Tweet Share on Facebook June 20, 2006 CommentIt's the first conviction in the Jack Abramoff corruption scandal that leads directly into the administration–and one source close to the investigation tells me that this means more shoes will drop, and probably quickly.
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Congress's Iraq resolution: Political silliness
Tweet Share on Facebook June 16, 2006 CommentWhen is enough enough? Last week, it was gay marriage. Next week, it's flag burning. But today (and yesterday), there was congressional silliness about a dead serious issue–Iraq. The Republican-led House adopted a resolution calling for a continuing presence in Iraq, 256 to 153, with 42 Democrats voting in favor.
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On reporting the Rove investigation
Tweet Share on Facebook June 14, 2006 CommentIt's been 2 1/2 years since Special Counsel Patrick Fitzgerald was appointed to look into who–if anyone–knowingly leaked the name of covert CIA operative, Valerie Plame, to the press. The CIA leak investigation has been reported–and mis-reported, mostly on some notorious blogs–in excruciating detail.
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Red meat (gay marriage) for the Republican base
Tweet Share on Facebook June 6, 2006 CommentIt's a predictable political move: You're low in the polls and worried that your own loyal voters might stay home. Time to throw some red meat to the party base. This week, it's gay marriage.
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Team Abramoff on the witness stand
Tweet Share on Facebook June 1, 2006 CommentIf there were a key to not being caught up in the excesses of Washington lobbying, maybe it's this: Don't learn how to play golf. In a federal courtroom this week in Washington, former General Services Administration official David Safavian is on trial for allegedly accepting favors from the disgraced ex-superlobbyist Jack Abramoff in exchange for helping him navigate the GSA. In a way, it's an old-boy-network story–and it's one we've heard a lot lately in relationship to Abramoff.
Gloria Borger, a contributing editor at U.S.News & World Report, writes the magazine's On Politics column. Borger is also the national political correspondent for CBS and a regular panelist on the PBS public affairs program, Washington Week in Review. Borger is a 1974 graduate of Colgate University in Hamilton, N.Y., and is now a member of the university's board of trustees.