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Tuesday, May 29, 2012
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The New York Times reports the Bush Administration's "allies in the Senate began a major effort on Tuesday to prevent a potentially embarrassing rejection of the president's plan to push 20,000 more troops into Iraq." The "new effort" by Bush's "allies, including Senators John McCain of Arizona and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, is aimed at blocking two nonbinding resolutions directly critical of the White House that had appeared to be gaining broad support among Democrats and even some Republicans." The Politico quotes Senate Minority Whip Trent Lott saying of the McCain-Graham effort, "I am talking with them, and I am encouraging others to talk with them." Lott "declined to say whether Senate GOP leaders, who are expected to meet with Bush at the White House on Friday, would sign onto the McCain-Graham resolution."
Last night, the CBS Evening News said Republicans "have managed to get" the votes on the existing anti-surge resolutions "postponed until the middle of next week, at the very earliest." On the question of whether "a majority in Congress actually go on the record opposing the President's war policy," CBS asserted "something is going to pass. Just how critical it's going to be, we don't know yet." Moreover, the Washington Post reports "Republican misgivings...are increasingly dividing the GOP as the Senate moves toward a showdown" over the surge. Republicans "appear to be balkanizing, with at least five GOP drafts now in play and more Republicans stating their reservations." The Hill also says that the resolutions "have proven a dicey political issue for vulnerable Republican senators, and few potentially vulnerable House Republicans are tipping their hands before the issue hits their chamber. Most House GOPers who received less than 55 percent of the vote in November's election are not saying how they will vote on either of the main Senate resolutions expressing opposition to the troop-increase strategy."
Specter Says Bush Not "Sole Decider." The Chicago Tribune reports, "The growing complaints about the war crossed party lines as the Senate neared debate" on the two non-binding anti-surge resolutions. Sens. Arlen Specter "told reporters following a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing that a clash is imminent between the White House and Congress over what war powers the Constitution guarantees the executive and legislative branches. 'I would respectfully suggest to the president that he is not the sole decider,' Specter said during the hearing. 'The decider is a shared and joint responsibility.'" On CNN's The Situation Room, Specter said, "I didn't give" Bush "a slap. What I did was articulate the principle of the Constitution, very basic, and that is separation of power and checks and balances, and the way the Constitution is written, the president is not the sole decider. The Congress has a very loud voice."
Feingold Calls For End To Funding The CBS Evening News reports, "In the Senate Judiciary Committee today, Russell Feingold, the Democrat who chaired the hearing, said it flat out -- he intends to try to block all funding for the war in Iraq." Sen. Feingold: "Congress has the power to stop a war if it wants to." CBS added there were "cheers" in Senate hearing room from activists in attendance. On CNN, Feingold defended his plan, saying, "Nobody is talking about taking anything away from the troops. What we're saying is, there should be a time frame to redeploy the troops. ... Our bill that I'm putting in tomorrow would say, the troops have to be out within six months after the bill is passed. That's the safest thing for the troops, is to not be in Iraq."
For now, USA Today reports Democratic leaders in Congress "plan to make extensive changes to the Bush administration's anticipated $100 billion request for new war funds. They want to redirect money from Iraq to military readiness at home and say Iraq, Afghanistan and other NATO countries must carry more of the financial burden."
Admiral William Fallon, selected by President Bush to lead the US Central Command, which has responsibility for the war in the Iraq, yesterday testified before a Senate committee considering his nomination. NBC Nightly News reported Fallon "declined to take a position on the President's plan for a troop increase." Under the headline "I Don't Know The Details," the Washington Times says Fallon, "picked by President Bush to oversee his new strategy for Iraq testified yesterday that he does not know much about the plan that the administration says will determine whether the US wins the war." The Times also notes the nominee "specifically declined to endorse Mr. Bush's plan." USA Today, AP, Los Angeles Times and Financial Times also report the story.
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The Financial Times reports a senior US official Tuesday said "dozens of al-Qaeda suicide bombers from countries such as Saudi Arabia and Sudan are crossing into Iraq from Syria every month." The official "said that, while sectarian conflict now represented the biggest threat to the country, the violence was being stoked up from abroad." The official alleged that the "vast majority" of suicide bombers came across the border from Syria, and that they received "training for their task within Syria as well as inside Iraq itself."
At a House hearing yesterday organized by Rep. Henry Waxman, government scientists said the Bush Administration has applied political pressured to suppress information about climate change. NBC Nightly News said with Democrats "holding the gavel in both houses, advocacy groups were given the chance to present a new study revealing unprecedented and widespread interference with scientific reports, largely by a former oil industry lobbyist working for the White House." ABC World News calls the hearing a "dramatic example" of "how the agenda has changed now that Democrats are in charge." USA Today and Los Angeles Times note Waxman would "insist on Congress' right" to Executive Branch information on the topic. The Chicago Tribune, Christian Science Monitor, New York Times and Financial Times run similar stories.
One Fourth Of Senate Sounds Off On Global Warming. The AP, meanwhile, reports climate change "also was a leading topic in the Senate, where presidential contenders for 2008 lined up at a hearing called by Sen. Barbara Boxer. They expounded -- and at times tried to outdo each other -- on why they believed Congress must act to reduce heat-trapping 'greenhouse' gases." McClatchy says the Senate panel "found broad bipartisan support Tuesday for doing something about global warming, but deep divisions remained over how to curb the emissions that scientists think are causing the Earth to warm rapidly." The Washington Post and Washington Times also report the story, while the Los Angeles Times surveys Democratic presidential candidates' proposals on global warming.
President Bush visited Peoria yesterday, in what the Chicago Tribune says is "a two-day campaign aimed at focusing public attention on the economy's health." Today, Bush "is scheduled to deliver what is being billed as a 'State of the Economy' speech in New York." Bush spoke at the headquarters of Caterpillar, Inc. "a company that competes successfully on the global stage and has profited from global trade. It has operations in 23 of the world's 24 time zones and it is enjoying strong sales in China and other offshore markets." The AP notes Caterpillar spokesman Timothy Elder said yesterday "Bush's trade policies helped the company net about $9 billion in sales outside of North America in 2006, when revenues of about $41.5 billion netted profits that topped $3.5 billion -- both company records."
The Peoria Journal Star says that in an address "where he spent much time touting his own policies on trade, tax cuts, education and other issues, Bush cautioned that there are some who favor protectionist policies he believes would close off free trade for American companies." The Pantagraph, from Bloomington, IL, features the Democratic response to Bush's trip, with Illinois Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin saying "current trade agreements aren't strictly enforced by Bush's administration." Durbin also "suggests Caterpillar's success isn't necessarily reflective of the country's manufacturing climate, noting substantial layoffs in several Illinois communities including Herrin and Pinckneyville. ... While some have found new work, Durbin said many jobs aren't of as high a quality as many of the ones lost." The Los Angeles Times, meanwhile, notes Bush used "two huge yellow earthmovers as his backdrop," and was "giddy over driving a third," an image that was widely covered by local TV newscasts across the country.
The President also addressed his trade and economic views in an interview with ABC World News, which led into the segment by saying the President "came to this Caterpillar plant...to change the conversation. ... What he wanted to get away from is Iraq." In the interview, Bush suggested pessimism about the Iraq war is coloring popular perception of the economy, saying negative polls about the economy are a result "of the war. Again, I think because people are feeling pretty down about, kind of, things because of the war."
On that issue, the Washington Post says this morning "most Americans have lost faith in Bush's stewardship of the economy. ... Critics argue that Bush's ratings reflect a poor economic record, noting increases in the trade deficit, the national debt, the number of uninsured Americans and other barometers since he took office." Despite those low poll numbers, USA Today and the Wall Street Journal report this morning consumer confidence just hit its highest level since May of 2002, while the stock market has also been soaring in recent months.
Bush's focus on trade, says the New York Times, is "setting the stage for a battle between Mr. Bush and Congressional Democrats over the economy in general and trade in particular." Yesterday, Democrats sent a clear message that they may block the President's agenda. USA Today reports that on Capitol Hill, "key Democrats said Tuesday that they would insist on new protections for workers and the environment before granting...Bush an extension of his trade negotiating authority. ... At issue is the president's ability to negotiate trade deals, which expires June 30. Monday, White House spokesman Tony Snow said the president 'absolutely' wants an extension of his so-called trade promotion authority, which limits Congress to approving or rejecting trade agreements. The administration's formal request could come as soon as today." The Hill, Washington Post and Financial Times run similar reports.
The AP reports the Senate yesterday "cleared the way for an increase in the minimum wage," but "only with business tax breaks that House Democrats want removed." Although the legislation is expected to pass final rounds in the Senate at the end of this week, many anticipate "a round of difficult negotiations between House and Senate Democrats over how to get the legislation to President Bush for his signature." The bill's passage relied heavily on a "tax package to attract Republican votes," and already "the White House has...signaled that Bush wants" similar "tax breaks in the legislation." The Washington Times and New York Times run similar reports, while in an editorial, Washington Post says tax breaks for businesses should not be used "as a ransom for raising the minimum wage." Rather, they "should be granted as part of a larger review of tax policy." The House "got it right" and "should stand firm."
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Senior Republicans are disgruntled that White House officials still aren't reaching out to them in an effort to pull President Bush out of his political trough. "They notify, but they don't consult," a GOP insider who informally advises the West Wing tells the Political Bulletin. When Bush Administration officials talk to outsiders, even the most loyal ones, they seem most eager to solicit ideas on spin and public relations, not on the substance of policy. "They need all the help they can get and they aren't asking for it," a top Republican with close ties to congressional GOP leaders and many conservative lobbyists around Washington tells the Bulletin. "But they are succeeding in uniting the opposition."
The Los Angeles Times reports the FBI is investigating GOP Rep. Gary Miller of California "for a series of land transactions in which he avoided paying capital gains taxes after saying he had been forced to sell under eminent domain" in the California towns of Monrovia and Fontana. Dick Singer, a spokesman for Monrovia, "said federal agents had interviewed city officials and requested a videotape from a City Council meeting in 2000 cited by The Times in which Miller asked city officials four times to buy his land."
The Hill reports, "After months of GOP ethics scandals, House Republicans chose" Miller "as the ranking member of a panel charged with investigating financial institutions - even as the FBI was looking into his land deals."
The CBS Evening News former New York Times reporter Judith Miller "took the stand today at the perjury trial of Lewis 'Scooter' Libby, Vice President Cheney's former chief of staff. Miller testified that in late June of 2003, Libby told her the identity of CIA Agent Valerie Plame, whose husband was a critic of the President's Iraq policy. That contradicts what Libby told a grand jury." Under the headline "Reporter's Account Hurts Libby Defense," the Washington Post suggests the testimony was bad news for Libby, but the Wall Street Journal says while Miller's "testimony initially helped the prosecution's case," she "appeared nervous and became confused" on cross-examination. Then, according to the AP, "defense attorneys sought to ask Miller about others who provided information about Plame." USA Today and the Los Angeles Times runs a similar story,
In his Washington Post "Media Notes" column, Howard Kurtz writes Miller "found herself struggling to explain a spotty memory and to justify why she wrote nothing about the sensitive -- and, as it turned out, classified -- information she had been handed." The New York Times reports, "Pressed about why she failed to remember an important June meeting with Mr. Libby during her first grand jury appearance, she said with her voice rising: 'Counselor, I've already said I didn't remember that meeting. I just didn't remember.'"
On MSNBC's Tucker, Ralph Nader said President Bush is "the most serial impeachable president in modern history, if not American history, on one grounds after another. And I can't understand why" congressional Democratic leaders "don't want to do it, unless possibly two reasons. One is that Nancy Pelosi will be the next in line, and if they impeach -- if they impeach Bush, they've got to impeach Cheney. It's a package deal. ... And second...I think the Democrats may see a clear arc toward winning in 2008." Nader added that nevertheless, it "is a matter of principle."
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The AP reports that Delaware Sen. Joe Biden (D) is set to officially enter the 2008 presidential race on today, and will file paperwork with the Federal Elections Commission and release a videotaped campaign message on his website, JoeBiden.com. Biden has decided against forming an exploratory committee, as many other candidates have, and is going straight to launching an official campaign. McClatchy Newspapers adds, "Stressing his credentials as one of the party's leading voices on foreign policy," Biden "vowed to 'make us safe in the world' as president." Biden "is attempting a comeback 20 years after his first presidential candidacy flamed out amid accusations he plagiarized parts of his speeches and cheated in law school."
Delaware's News Journal adds that when Biden kicked off his 1988 bid, "he did so the old-fashioned way: with a flag-waving rally surrounded by hundreds of supporters." This time around, however, "the process will be, well, different. No rally. The candidate will barely even be in his home state. But in true cyberage style, today should provide Biden with plenty of national exposure, including the debut of his campaign Web site and an appearance on, of all networks, Comedy Central," where he will be interviewed on "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" tonight.
The AP reports this morning that Illinois Sen. Barack Obama (D) has reserved the Old State Capitol in Springfield, Illinois for February 10, the day he plans to formally announce his presidential bid. The AP adds that Abraham Lincoln "served in the Old State Capitol when he was a state representative. It was the site of his famous 'House Divided' speech warning that America could not remain half slave and half free."
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In a 2008 GOP field that some feel to be devoid of a social conservative standard bearer, the AP reports that former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee (R) is moving quickly to try and fill that role. In Iowa for his first day of campaigning, Huckabee said, "I think if people look at my record, they see there's a consistent and authentic conservative record that was translated into action." However, the Des Moines Register reports that Huckabee also urged a degree of pragmatism in dealing with the opposition party. Huckabee said, "Republicans aren't right all the time, and Democrats aren't wrong all the time. A little humility can go a long way to getting things done. It doesn't mean you abandon your values. But sometimes, there are people worth listening to."
The Boston Globe reports that former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney (R), who has faced criticism for his moves to make his positions on social issues fall more in line with social conservatives nationally, has landed the endorsement "of a key pro-life activist and lawyer." Romney campaign announced that James Bopp, Jr. "a lawyer from Indiana, will serve as a 'special advisor on life issues' to Romney." The Globe adds that the move "comes at a critical time for Romney as he tries to convince conservatives that he is one of them despite becoming anti-abortion just a few years ago."
In his column for the Rocky Mountain News, Peter Blake writes that Secretary of Veterans Affairs Jim Nicholson said yesterday that he will not make a bid for the open Colorado Senate seat. Nicholson said, "I already have a great job here serving the president and the veterans and I've decided to keep on doing it."
However, while Nicholson is out, another Republican appears to be considering the contest. The Coloradoan reports that Bob Schaffer (R) was in DC to meet with Republicans last night to discuss a potential bid. Schaffer ran for the Senate in 2004, but lost in the GOP primary to beer magnate Pete Coors. Schaffer's entry could complicate the bid of former Rep. Scott McInnis (R), who said last month that he plans to run for the seat.
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Jay Leno: "Sen. Joe Biden, who is also running for president, says most US senators are against President Bush's plan for sending troops to Iraq. The senators are against it. Wow. Gee, if only there's something they could do about it. It's not like they're in a position of power or anything. Too bad they can't act on these beliefs. Tough break, tough break."
Conan O'Brien: "President Bush keeping very busy right now. Earlier today in Illinois, President Bush visited a Caterpillar tractor factory, and the workers -- this is true -- the workers let him drive one of the giant tractors. Yeah. And as of right now, the President and tractor are still missing."
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