Political Bulletin

WASHINGTON NEWS

Biden Sets Stage For Clash On Iraq

As President Bush continues to ponder his new war policies, the Wall Street Journal says this morning the deployment of tens of thousands of additional US troops to Iraq, which has come to be known as the "surge" approach, "almost certainly will be the centerpiece" of the President's "planned speech to the country early next year." Democratic Sen. Joe Biden, the incoming Senate Foreign Relations Chairman yesterday came out strongly against that strategy, and media reports are portraying his strongly stated opposition as the harbinger of the coming partisan clash on Iraq. Underscoring the political nature of any discussion about Iraq, Biden made his assertions yesterday in a conference call with reporters and used the opportunity to announce that he intends to run for president in 2008.

The Wall Street Journal titles its story "Biden Previews Democrats' Tack Against Troop Plan," and reports "the tensions between the two parties over the war seem certain to escalate if the Bush administration goes through with its tentative plan to send as many as 20,000 new US forces to Iraq." The Los Angeles Times says that as Bush "prepares to outline his own plan for Iraq in a major speech in the next few weeks, Democratic leaders will counter with weeks of oversight hearings, summoning military officers, administration officials and foreign policy experts to Capitol Hill." Biden "said Tuesday that he intends to call key administration officials, including Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, to testify at a series of hearings." The Washington Post, Financial Times and New York Times run similar stories, while the Washington Times reports Republicans "so far seem divided on a surge, with Sen. John McCain of Arizona pushing the idea and Foreign Relations Committee member Sen. Norm Coleman of Minnesota saying he can't support sending more troops."

Bush To Mull Iraq Options With Advisers Bush meets with the members of his national security team on Thursday at his Crawford, Texas ranch. The AP reports Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is expected to attend Thursday's meeting, along with Vice President Dick Cheney, Defense Secretary Robert Gates and NSA Stephen Hadley. Another AP story reports, "Determined not to be rushed...Bush has spent weeks figuring out a new war plan in Iraq. All the while, the American public's expectations have been headed in one direction -- up. Anticipation is high not just because people are weary of war, but also because of the way Bush has gone about deciding his next move."

More Now Killed In Iraq War Than On 9/11 The AP, in an article published in over 100 papers and websites, reports that the number of US military personnel killed in the war in Iraq climbed to "at least 2,977-- four more than the number killed" on September 11, 2001, with the military's announcement of "the deaths of six more American soldiers" on Christmas.

Saddam's Death Sentence Affirmed Iraq's highest court denied Saddam Hussein's appeal and ruled the execution must be carried out in the next 30 days. The New York Times says no "further appeals are possible, and the Washington Post reports officials "in the Iraqi government have already begun to address the logistics and security measures for the execution, possibly a closed and secret one, according to sources familiar with the preparations."

President Ford Dead At 93

Former President Gerald Ford, who became the 38th President after the resignation of Richard Nixon during the Watergate scandal, passed away at the age of 93. The AP reports Ford, "who became the 38th president of the United States as a result of some of the most extraordinary events in American history and sought to restore the nation's confidence in the basic institutions of government, died Tuesday." Stories in the Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, New York Times and USA Today, among other newspapers, note the former President's passing and generally praise his tenure in office. But in an editorial, the Los Angeles Times says "Ford will be remembered most for one act: his pardon of Nixon, just one month after the resignation. ... The pardon was a mistake, inconsistent with the fundamental principle that everyone, including the president, is equal before the law." The Times muses that Ford may have been "influenced by the ghost of his own father, an abusive man who was devastated when Ford's mother divorced him and who died before the son had a chance to forgive him. ... He may have been too nice a guy."

Judicial Nominee Asks To Be Withdrawn

The New York Times and Washington Post ran an AP story this morning, noting that Jackson, Mississippi attorney Michael Wallace "sent a letter to President Bush asking that his name be withdrawn from nomination to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Though Mr. Wallace wrote that he believed most senators would consent to his nomination," he said the incoming Judiciary Committee chairman, Senator Patrick J. Leahy, "made it clear two weeks ago that he intends to permit vacancies to be filled only with consensus nominees.'"

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CAMPAIGN NEWS

Obama Closing on Clinton In NH Poll

A new Research 2000 poll for the Concord (NH) Monitor shows that if the New Hampshire Democratic primary were held today, Sen. Hillary Clinton would just squeak past Sen. Barack Obama, 22%-21%. That's a big turnaround from last month, when a similar poll showed Clinton leading Obama by 23 points. In the December poll, former Sen. John Edwards is running a close third with 16%. On the GOP side, Rudy Giuliani holds a narrow lead over Sen. John McCain, 26%-25%, while Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and former Speaker Newt Gingrich trail, pulling 10% and 8% respectively. In general election match ups, the poll shows that both Giuliani and McCain would top Clinton, but that Obama holds a minute edge over each of the Republicans.

Retirements Could Add To GOP Woes

The Washington Post reports that operatives from both parties estimate that as many as 30 Republicans from the House and Senate may retire this cycle. Topping the list: Rep. Ralph Regula of Ohio, who is 82, and Rep. Bill Young of Florida, who is 76.

Poll Shows Baucus Up Narrowly Over Rehberg

Montana, which saw a Senate race decided by less than 2,000 votes in 2006, could be in for another barn burner if Rep. Denny Rehberg (R) decides to challenge Sen. Max Baucus (D). The Missoulian reported that a new Mason-Dixon poll for Lee Newspapers shows Baucus leading Rehberg 48%-44% in a hypothetical match up, within the poll's margin of error. Baucus has not indicated if he will run for reelection, while Rehberg has not yet said if he will challenge Baucus.

Kitzhauber Won't Challenge Smith In Oregon

The AP reports that former Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber (D) said last week that he does not expect to challenge Sen. Gordon Smith (R) in 2008, a break for the incumbent in a state that is increasingly trending blue. The AP adds that top potential challenger "on many insiders' lists" is OR3 Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D), although OR4 Rep. Pete DeFazio (D) is also considered a potential candidate.

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POLITICAL HUMOR

The Latest From Late Night Comedians

Jay Leno: "As you know, Miss USA was given a second chance after agreeing to go into rehab. And today, Donald Rumsfeld said, 'Hey, what? I can't get that deal? What happened?'"

Jay Leno: "Police in Long Island, New York, have arrested a 31-year-old man, who tried to hire an undercover cop to kill his wife so he could be free and single by Christmas. Oh, listen to this. And now, the wife says she is standing by him, saying she can't believe he would do that. So, folks, it's now official: Hillary is now only the second-most naive woman in New York."

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