USNews.com: Political Bulletin: Thursday, November 30, 2006

Thursday, November 30, 2006

WASHINGTON NEWS

Bush-Maliki Summit Turns Into PR Fiasco

Another atrocious media day for the White House, as it endeavors to score some points with the American people on the Iraq front. This morning, President Bush and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Malaki met in Amman, Jordan. USA Today and AP, among other sources, note the two leaders expressed the determination to succeed against the insurgency. But this morning's events are being largely overshadowed by Maliki's cancellation of his Wednesday meeting with the President. Yesterday's move by Maliki is being termed "abrupt," "stunning" and "an almost unheard-of development in the high-level diplomatic circles of a US president" by the AP. ABC World News, meanwhile, called it a "huge embarrassment" for Bush. What led Maliki to this apparent snub? Press reports speculate the reason was the leak to the New York Times (the very day Maliki and Bush were to meet) of a classified memo in which the US National Security Advisor was critical of Maliki. As the Washington Times reports, the memo "says the Iraqi leader is either 'ignorant,' devious or incapable of governing right now."

The Los Angeles Times says "senior Bush aides offered at least four explanations for the cancellation -- finally dispatching a more junior official to tell reporters late Wednesday that Maliki and Jordan's King Abdullah II had decided mutually that a three-way conversation was not necessary." The Washington Post devotes a story to the different White House's explanations.

Powell: It Is A "Civil War" And that wasn't all the White House had to contend with yesterday. A day after President Bush stated that the Iraq conflict has not degenerated into a "civil war," former Secretary of State Colin Powell contradicted him. He made his comments at a business conference in Dubai in which no cameras were allowed, says the AP, but his remarks became known nonetheless. Why are the Administration and the media arguing over whether the "sectarian violence" does or doesn't qualify as a "civil war"? The Christian Science Monitor offers an interesting theory as to the timing of this debate, saying it may have sprung "from a greater sense of freedom among US media, after the November elections, to call the situation as they see it without being accused of political bias, analysts say." At any rate, most Americans appear to disagree with the Administration on this issue: A Harris Interactive Poll finds 68% of US adults said they believe "there is a civil war in Iraq," while 14% "disagree" and 18% "aren't sure."

Baker Panel: Pull US Troops Out Of Iraq

For the second day in a row, the New York Times has a scoop on Iraq policy. Yesterday it was a classified memo to the President and today some surprising conclusions coming out of the Iraq Study Group (ISG) chaired by former Secretary of State James Baker. The Times says the panel "reached a consensus...on a final report that will call for a gradual pullback of the 15 American combat brigades now in Iraq but stop short of setting a firm timetable for their withdrawal, according to people familiar with the panel's deliberations." The report "recommends that Mr. Bush make it clear that he intends to start the withdrawal relatively soon," suggesting next year, but does not say if the troops should redeploy somewhere in the region. Complicating this course of action, the Washington Times says "all six members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, amid an ongoing Pentagon review of strategy for Iraq, oppose pulling out US troops now, and are also against a specific withdrawal timetable, a defense source said yesterday. 'The chiefs are solid. They want victory,' the source said. 'There is no dissent.'" In fact, an AP dispatch this morning reports the Pentagon "is developing plans to send four more battalions to Iraq early next year, partly to boost security in Baghdad, defense officials said Wednesday."

Bush Open To Talking To Iran, Syria Another expected ISG recommendation could be that the US hold talks with Iran and Syria. Both countries are believed to be aiding the Iraqi insurgents. In past days, the President seemed to have come out against that idea rather strongly, but according to the Wall Street Journal the White House is making it "clear that it is open -- at least in principle -- to considering" those talks.

Democrats Want "Special Envoy" Senate Democrats, meanwhile, yesterday unveiled their own proposal. Both the Washington Post and New York Times report Democrats want Bush to appoint a "Special Envoy" to seek peace between Sunnis and Shia in Iraq.

Democrats Reject 9/11 Panel's Proposal On Congressional Reorganization

Under the headline "Democrats Reject Key 9/11 Panel Suggestion," the Washington Post this morning notes the "solemn pledge, repeated by Democratic leaders and candidates over and over," that if elected they would "implement all of the recommendations of the bipartisan commission that examined the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001." But now, Democratic leaders have decided "against implementing the one measure that would affect them most directly: a wholesale reorganization of Congress to improve oversight and funding of the nation's intelligence agencies. Instead, Democratic leaders may create a panel to look at the issue and produce recommendations, according to congressional aides and lawmakers." The decision is expected to "anger commission members, as well as families of victims of the Sept. 11 attacks."

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CAMPAIGN NEWS

Frist Bows Out Of Presidential Race

In a move some believe could benefit social conservative candidates in the GOP field, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist yesterday announced that he will not seek the presidency in 2008. The AP reported Frist "said he 'will take a sabbatical from public life' and 'return to my professional roots as a healer and to refocus my creative energies on innovative solutions to seemingly insurmountable challenges Americans face.'" The Tennessean adds that Frist "spent several years laying the groundwork for a presidential bid," including "visiting key presidential states," creating "a field operation and raising money for national, state and local candidates in these states." The New York Times cites Frist aides as saying he "simply did not have the fire to run," and quotes spokeswoman Amy Call saying, "He in his heart knew that if he did this he'd have to spend a year and a half on a campaign. He wanted to get back to something more basic."

Announcement May Benefit Conservative Hopefuls. The LA Times says this morning Frist's decision "may boost support for other Republicans who have courted the party's social conservatives. Frist had advanced the key bloc's agenda during the four years he was Senate majority leader." The Washington Post adds Frist's decision "creates an opening on the right flank of the GOP political spectrum, while still leaving a broad field of potential presidential candidates for 2008." The Wall Street Journal notes Frist's departure leaves the race without a Southern conservative.

Romney Hires Former DeLay Spokesman

The AP reports that Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (R), "moving closer to a presidential run," has hired Kevin Madden, Tom DeLay's former spokesman. The Boston Herald says that the high-profile signing is "adding to the buzz" that Romney will kick off a campaign shortly.

Daschle To Make '08 Announcement Soon

Asked about a possible 2008 presidential run on MSNBC's Hardball, former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle said, "I'll be making an announcement sometime in the course of the next couple of months. No later than that."

Florida GOP Holding Straw Poll In October

The St. Petersburg Times reports, "Tired of playing second fiddle to the likes of Iowa and New Hampshire in picking presidential nominees," Florida Republicans have decided to hold a presidential straw poll convention in October 2007.

GOP Holds NC8 House Seat

The AP reports challenger Larry Kissell (D) conceded defeat yesterday to NC8 Rep. Robin Hayes (R), "after the initial phase of a hand recount showed the result was not likely to change." After 5 of 10 counties completed a hand recount of the ballots in the tight race, Kissell picked up only a few votes. However, Kissell announced that he would begin campaigning immediately for a 2008 rematch.

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POLITICAL HUMOR

The Latest From Late Night Comedians.

Jay Leno: "Boy, it was cold today. I'll tell you. It was so cold, Al Gore asked me to turn up the heat. That's how cold."

Jay Leno: "On his trip to the NATO summit meeting, President Bush stopped in Estonia to thank them for their help in Iraq. You know what a huge help the Estonians have been. Remember the old days when our allies were countries like Italy, Spain; Germany. Now we're down to like, Estonia, Latvia. 'Yes, the United States and Liechtenstein stand together! Our brothers!"

David Letterman: "An historical date today. On this date in 1947, the UN voted to create the state of Israel. I'm glad they settled that. Things are going just fine."

David Letterman: "Well anyway, the United States now, listen to this, has banned the sale of iPods to North Korea. And you thought President Bush didn't have a plan."

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