White House Week
You Thought This Was a Nasty Year for Politics?
Whatever happens in this week's congressional elections-and despite the expected grinning pledges of new bipartisanship-insiders in both parties are predicting heightened combat on Capitol Hill for the next two years. Senior Democrats and Republicans say President Bush has alienated so many Democrats that he has little or no credibility as a bipartisan leader. "Neither have the Republican leaders in Congress," says a senior GOP strategist. "If the Democrats take over, they will return the favor." And if the GOP holds on to a house or two, he predicts, it will continue to govern from the right. All to the peril of both sides, adds another prominent Republican: "What the voters seem to be saying is that they're tired of all the infighting and they want the politicians to put aside their differences and get to work."
The Governator as Role Model? Hmm.
One way to end all the bickering on Capitol Hill would be for the White House to take a lesson from Arnold Schwarzenegger. At least that's what a growing number of GOP insiders hope. At week's end Schwarzenegger held a double-digit lead over his Democratic challenger-which is remarkable because "The Governator" had alienated key California groups like teachers, unions, and nurses with a variety of policy initiatives and because he seemed so arrogant and pushy. One reason for the turnaround, says Schwarzenegger strategist Matthew Dowd, is that the governor took responsibility for his past mistakes, demonstrated a refreshing humility, and started to work closely with Democrats. Arnold's advantage now, Dowd says, is "his ability to reach across the aisle and get things done."
China, Our New Good Friend to the West
The economy will continue to grow-though threatened by terrorism, energy prices, protectionism, and housing markets-and China will be a big, positive player in trade, the nation's financial executives say in a new poll from the Financial Services Forum. The collection of CEOs from the nation's top banking and Wall Street firms also pegged 2006 growth at 3.13 percent. Every single member voiced an expectation that the global and U.S. economies will grow-some seeing "very strong growth." The CEOs also had high hopes for China, calling that nation less of a threat to U.S. businesses and a significant contributor to economic growth. The CEOs see the Dow at 12,546 at the end of 2007.
The New Long Arm of the (Military) Law
A tiny provision in the $532.8 billion defense authorization act signed by President Bush October 17 could have a big impact on civilian contractors working with the military in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other hot spots. Previously only "in time of war" could civilians "accompanying an armed force in the field" face a court-martial for alleged criminal acts. Now that provision has been expanded to include a "contingency operation" like the conflict in Iraq, which is not a declared war. Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, himself a military lawyer, sponsored the provision; an aide says Graham wanted civilians to be subject to the same rules as military personnel in conflicts. "Will they use that authority?" asks Eugene Fidell, an expert on military law. "I don't know, but if they do, there is certain to be a constitutional challenge."
PHOTO OP: 10:22 a.m., November 2, Billings, Mont.
Members of the crowd pray as they await the arrival of President Bush at a last-minute political rally for Montana's Sen. Conrad Burns and Rep. Denny Rehberg. The fact that the president had to wrap up the week campaigning in western "red states" was seen as a worrisome sign for Republicans seeking re-election to Congress.
With Kenneth T. Walsh, Paul Bedard and Edward T. Pound
This story appears in the November 13, 2006 print edition of U.S. News & World Report.
advertisement
