USNews.com: Political Bulletin: Tuesday, December 5, 2006

Tuesday, December 5, 2006

WASHINGTON NEWS

Bush Cuts And Runs On Bolton

UN Ambassador John Bolton announced his resignation yesterday. Almost universally, media reports are portraying the move as a White House capitulation, a sign of President Bush's political weakness after the midterm elections. On its front page, the Washington Post says Bush "surrendered to congressional foes yesterday." Similarly, the Financial Times says the White House "bowed to the political realities imposed by the new Democratic Congress," and the Wall Street Journal says Bolton's departure "marked another concession by...Bush to the new political realities facing him." The Los Angeles Times reports the "pugnacious" Bolton "is known for not giving up" -- but "after meeting with his mentor Vice President Dick Cheney...he decided it was time to quit." The resignation "signals that the Bush administration is less willing, or less able, to go around Congress to push through an unpopular agenda."

On its website, Time also reports Bolton's departure "marks another acknowledgement by the White House of the political consequences of the Nov. 7 Congressional elections." The Washington Times, Christian Science Monitor, Boston Globe and Baltimore Sun all draw similar conclusions from Bolton's resignation -- that the White House is politically weak. The New York Times and Wall Street Journal, meanwhile, run editorials on Bolton's departure, with the liberal Times celebrating the resignation and the conservative Journal saying the move was "no doubt cheered in Tehran, Damascus, Caracas" and "Pyongyang."

Right after the congressional elections, defeated GOP Sen. Lincoln Chafee announced he would not back Bolton's confirmation in committee killing the ambassador's chances of getting an up-or-down vote from the full Senate. And according to today's Pawtucket Times, the senator remains quite proud of that fact. Chafee spokesman Steven Hourahan reminded reporters yesterday that his boss' opposition to Bolton as a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee "was what made it not happen."

The New York Times reports that it is "not immediately clear" who would replace Bolton, but reportedly under consideration are Ambassador to Iraq Zalmay Khalilzad, Undersecretary of State Burns, former UNCHR ambassador Richard S. Williamson, and Ohio Sen. Mike DeWine. But "how Mr. Bush chooses to fill those jobs could indicate which direction the administration will tilt during its last two years, administration officials and United Nations diplomats said." The Washington Post says the White House's is "focusing on...Khalilzad" while the Wall Street Journal also includes Sudan special envoy Andrew Natsios, Undersecretary of State Paula Dobriansky, and retiring Iowa Rep. Jim Leach among possible nominees.

Bush: ISG Report An "Advice Document"

During an interview with Fox News' Special Report's Brit Hume yesterday, President Bush was asked how he viewed the "advice document" from Defense Secretary Rumsfeld describing possible policy adjustments in Iraq. President Bush echoed Hume's phrasing in his answer, saying, "I'm getting a lot of 'advice documents.' ... We will be getting another 'advice document' from the Baker-Hamilton commission soon. ... When it comes to military matters, I want to listen to the military." The Washington Times picks up on that point, noting that "by the time the White House begins studying" the ISG's report, the President "will also have scores of ideas from his own advisers. ... The office of the secretary of defense, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the State Department and the National Security Council are all weighing options."

Baker And Hamilton To Testify Thursday. The AP notes that Sens. John Warner and Carl Levin have asked former Secretary of State James Baker and former Rep. Lee Hamilton to testify Thursday before the Senate Armed Services Committee.

ISG Members' Contributions Noted. The Hill (12/5, Cusack) reports that "a few" members of the Iraq Study Group have made political contributions since joining the panel. Republican member former Sen. Alan Simpson, who is one of the panel who has made political contributions, told The Hill, "I give to people. What's new?" Simpson characterized "any article on the political giving of the ISG" as "b******t" and "extraneous crap."

AP Accused Of Fabricating Iraq Stories

In a column for the Boston Herald, Jules Crittenden wrote that the AP "is embroiled in a scandal. Conservative bloggers, the new media watchdogs, lifted a rock at the AP. ... The AP is making up war crimes. But the resulting stink in the blogosphere has barely wrinkled a nose in the mainstream press." Crittenden goes on to allege that "oft-quoted" Iraqi police captain Jamil Hussein "does not exist." According to Crittenden, the Iraqi police and the US military claim the atrocities Hussein is said to have witnessed, including an incident in which Iraqi soldiers were said to have watched as six Sunnis were burned alive in a mosque "didn't happen."

US Controls Only Fraction Of Border

The Washington Post reports the Department of Homeland Security has reported to Congress that its plans for a "virtual" fence along the US-Mexico border "will cost $7.6 billion and be completed by 2011, but the government lacks clear benchmarks for success." DHS also confirmed "well-known problems along the Mexican border," indicating "that the United States had 'effective control' over only 284 miles of its 1,993-mile southern frontier as of March, up from 241 miles in October 2005."

DHS Battles Home Grown Crime

The Los Angeles Times reports the Department of Homeland Security's inspector general reported to Congress that the department is "battling fraud, theft, bribery, smuggling and other crimes by American citizens -- with some of the most disturbing examples coming from" its own employees. The report "showed a sharp jump in arrests in the six months ended Sept. 30, with many stemming from schemes by members of the public to bilk the agency of emergency relief funds in the wake of Hurricane Katrina."

House To Vote On Senate Offshore Drilling Bill

The House will vote on a Senate-passed bill to expand offshore oil and gas drilling today. The Washington Post reports House Democratic leaders "have decided not to take a position on the bill in order to avoid having to choose between different constituencies within the party's own ranks." Environmental groups "oppose the drilling measure," but "many" Democrats "support wider drilling to increase domestic natural gas supplies. And Louisiana Democrats avidly support the Senate bill because it would divert 37.5 percent of federal royalties to Gulf states for coastal restoration projects."

Bush Daughters Antics Don't Sit Well With Kinsley

Not all are calls for bipartisanship in today's political arena. Case in point: In a harsh Washington Post column this morning, Michael Kinsley writes that Jenna and Barbara Bush, "from what little has leaked out," seem to be "party girls who like to drink and dance until the wee hours with aristocrats and frat boys." And they do so, adds Kinsley, while Americans are dying in Iraq, "most of them around Jenna and Barbara's age or younger." Kinsley goes on to say that "it would be reassuring to see a little struggle here -- some sign that the Bush family truly believes that American soldiers are dying for our freedom, and that it's worth it."

Top

CAMPAIGN NEWS

Brownback '08 Bid Focuses On Culture War

The AP reports that after "taking the first step in a presidential bid on Monday" by forming a presidential exploratory committee, Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback (R) "said he would start a 10-state tour with a traditional stop in Iowa. Then he's going to jail." Brownback "plans to spend Friday night at Louisiana's notorious state penitentiary in Angola to highlight the problem of recidivism and programs that can help prisoners become law-abiding members of the community." CQ Politics reports Brownback is "joining an increasingly crowded field of 2008 presidential candidates, hoping his social conservative credentials will appeal to Republican primary voters." The Washington Post reports that in "declaring his intentions so early, Brownback is hoping to stake out a position as the most viable conservative in the field. Neither McCain nor Romney is the first choice of social conservatives, and analysts said there is room for a candidate who fills that niche."

The Kansas City Star reports Brownback's "first campaign stop will be Tuesday in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to be followed by visits to ten states over the next month. Brownback has spent the past two years road-testing a theme he describes as 'renewing the culture.' It's a unique amalgam of old-fashioned Republican social and fiscal conservatism combined with a progressive, internationalist message of reconciliation between rich and poor, deeply informed by religious faith."

Pataki To Made '08 Decision In "Next Few Weeks"

Long Island Newsday reports that New York Gov. George Pataki (R) said Monday "that he would make a decision about a White House run in 'the next few weeks.'" Appearing on CNN's Situation Room, Pataki said "I don't think there's any question that someone who has a vision and a proven record of leadership...consistent with Republican philosophies of limited government...can win the nomination and the election."

Hillary Begins Meeting With Iowa, New Hampshire Democrats

The Des Moines Register reports Sen. Hillary Clinton "began making calls today to Iowa Democrats about the state's political landscape with an eye toward its 2008 presidential nominating caucuses, aides to Clinton said." Clinton communication director Lorraine Voles said, "She's begun the process of making some calls into Iowa." The Manchester Union-Leader reports Sen. Clinton has "begun weighing in with New Hampshire Democratic activists about a possible run for president in 2008." During the "past few days," Clinton "has placed initial calls to key Democrats in the first-in-the-nation primary state seeking advice, according to veteran state and national party activist Karen Hicks."

Obama Meets With Soros, Democratic Fundraisers In NY

The New York Times reports Illinois Sen. Barack Obama (D) "treaded onto Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton's home turf last night to meet with prominent Democratic donors and feel out those who might prefer the sound of President Obama to President Clinton (as in Hillary, not Bill)." Obama "met with George Soros, the liberal billionaire philanthropist, then some other donors last night at Mr. Soros's offices."

Levin To Seek Sixth Term

The AP reports that Michigan Sen. Carl Levin (D), "the incoming chairman of the Armed Services Committee, said Monday he will seek re-election in 2008." Levin, who "was widely expected to seek a sixth term and will enter the race a heavy favorite," said that "he hopes to win another term, citing his work on Armed Services and on issues crucial to Michigan's automotive and manufacturing industries." The Detroit Free Press reports that Levin "said he decided to announce his intentions today to clear his agenda so he can focus on assuming the chair of the Senate Armed Services in January, when the Democratic majority is sworn in."

Beauprez Keeps Option For Senate Run Open

The Rocky Mountain News (12/5, Sprengelmeyer) reports that Rep. Bob Beauprez (R), who lost a gubernatorial bid this cycle, "hasn't ruled out a run for the U.S. Senate" if Colorado Sen. Wayne Allard (R) does not run for reelection, "and on Monday he took steps to make sure people keep hearing his views."

Top

POLITICAL HUMOR

The Latest From Late Night Comedians

Jay Leno: "President Bush accepted the resignation of UN Ambassador John Bolton. Bolton said he didn't want to leave, but when you have no nations that are united you don't need an ambassador, basically."

Jay Leno: "They say Hillary Clinton is starting to get a little paranoid about this, because a lot of Democratic Party leaders are getting behind Barack Obama's bid for the presidency. Hillary's worried it might be part of a vast left wing conspiracy."

Conan O'Brien: "President Bush very hard at work in Washington, right now, trying to solve all the problems. And earlier today, true story, President Bush met with the head of one of Iraq's Shiite political parties. That's right, yeah. Yeah, however, there was an awkward moment when Bush asked him, 'Are you the Shiite head?'"

Top