Gibbs Slaps Coverage of Afghan Troop Surge

By Paul Bedard, Washington Whispers

In a classic standoff, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs today stared down the White House press corps over last night's reporting that President Obama had settled on an Afghan war plan to send in 40,000 additional troops—and keep them there for a long time. Aboard Air Force One as Obama flew to Fort Hood, Texas, to address the families of slain troops, Gibbs tried to push the gaggle of reporters back on the troop surge story. He even mocked them as they asked questions that put in doubt what they had previously reported as fact.

The bottom line from Gibbs: There has been no decision, and the president is still reviewing four options. His effort worked, as stories shifted to the line that Obama was still considering his options.

Here's the transcript of the exchange between Gibbs and reporters over news coverage of a troop surge in Afghanistan:

GOP Hails 64 Antiabortion Democrats

By Paul Bedard, Washington Whispers

Blocking government funding of abortions, the major compromise in House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's healthcare reform bill Saturday night, was a significant victory for antiabortion Republicans who have long sought to identify "pro-life" Democrats. "This vote locks in 64 Democrats on this precise pro-life language," a key GOP adviser says of the vote on the Stupak-Pitts amendment.

The amendment bars government funds under the Pelosi healthcare plan for payment for abortion except in cases of rape, incest, or when the mother's life is in danger. The Senate, now beginning to debate its version of healthcare reform, is expected to see a similar fight over the abortion language, and President Obama this week suggested that he doesn't want the restrictive antiabortion language in the final bill.

Three-Book-a-Day Bush

By Paul Bedard, Washington Whispers

It still irks some Bushies when people call W "Dumya." The latest defender is the former administration's intelligence chief, John Negroponte, who has also worked with several other presidents. "Some are more intellectual than you think. Bush 43 is in that category," he says. For proof, he embellished the oft-told story about the reading race between the former president and top aide Karl Rove, reports our Suzi Parker. Both carried lists of books they had read and compared them often. Bush, says Negroponte, read "heavy-duty stuff," like French history. "He must have read two to three books a day," says the former aide. Negroponte adds that after hearing this, his anti-Bush brother snorted: "He was just making up for lost time." Ronald Reagan, however, had different smarts. The old actor wasn't very hands on but could learn his lines quickly. "He would read his overnight assignments," says Negroponte.

Hi, I'm Harry Reid

By Paul Bedard, Washington Whispers

With thousands of people moving in every month, it's no surprise that Nevada looks like a new state every time Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid returns home. But that helps to explain why he's started campaigning and advertising for re-election in 2010 so early. The goal, says his pollster Mark Mellman, is to introduce Reid to the newcomers and explain how much clout he has as the Democratic boss. "I am absolutely certain he is going to win," says Mellman, dismissing Republicans who say that they are going to knock him off as they did former Majority Leader Tom Daschle. One major difference with the Daschle race, says Mellman: Nevada is more Democrat-friendly than Daschle's South Dakota.

Huckabee Has a New Diet

By Paul Bedard, Washington Whispers

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, who wrote about his 100-pound weight loss in 2005, is back in his fat suits, thanks to 25 pounds gained because of a painful foot ailment. "I still run, but not more than 3 miles at a time, not the 10-to-12—and more—milers before," he tells Whispers. But he's fighting back with protein shakes. "I'll be back to full speed in a few months," adds the likely 2012 GOP presidential candidate.

GOP Door Closing to 2012

By Paul Bedard, Washington Whispers

To all the budding Republican superstars looking at the 2012 presidential race—that would include Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels, Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty—your time might be running out. In a party that allows for only a handful of big names in the primaries and favors those making a second try, the room is getting full. "We already have a relatively mature field," says GOP pollster Bill McInturff. And by mature, he means that there are already three established candidates: Sarah Palin, Mike Huckabee, and Mitt Romney.

Irony in Jarrett Trip to Chamber of Commerce

By Paul Bedard, Washington Whispers

There's an "only in Washington" moment coming up November 19, when longtime Obama adviser Valerie Jarrett is expected to walk across Lafayette Square to speak before a private group meeting at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The irony: Not only are the Chamber of Commerce and the White House at war over several issues such as climate control and health reform, but it's Jarrett who's been at the head of attacking the business community's campaign.

On November 19, she's being touted as a key speaker before the business networking group "100 Days In." The one-day dinner and panel discussion take place at the Chamber of Commerce headquarters at 1615 H Street NW, across the park from the White House. The group describes itself as an organization that calls periodic meetings to discuss the progress of the new administration. From its latest meeting memo:

Give Haley Barbour Some Credit

By Paul Bedard, Washington Whispers

Credit Mississippi Governor and former Republican Party National Chairman Haley Barbour and the Republican Governors Association he runs for helping push Republicans into the victory column in the two gubernatorial races this year, say several GOP and conservative insiders. "This was a huge victory for Haley and just the start of what could be a very big year next year," said an ally and GOP lobbyist. The RGA was heavily involved in the races, especially in New Jersey, as it tested out an election plan that will go into full force next year when Democrats will be trying to hold on to 22 seats, compared with 16 for the Republicans. Another Republican Party official said that part of Barbour's success came from winning over so-called Reagan Democrats, the moderates who are concerned about the economy and jobs. "The New Jersey victory is attributable to two things: Haley Barbour and a re-emergence of Reagan Democrats who 'cannot take it any more' on taxes, affordability," added another Republican official.