Political Bulletin

WASHINGTON NEWS

Democrats Up The Ante In Attorneys Probe

Democratic-controlled committees in both the House and Senate yesterday stepped closer to a constitutional fight with the White House yesterday. Both Judiciary panels issued subpoenas for former White House counsel Harriet Miers and former political director Sara Taylor in their investigation of the US attorney firings. The Los Angeles Times calls the move "an escalation" on the part of congressional Democrats, while ABC World News said it was "the most significant clash between the White House and Congress since President Bush took office. Congress is using force. This is not a request. It's a demand. And now, the White House has to decide if it's going to go along or meet that force with force, by asserting executive privilege." The AP also says the Democratic chairmen of House and Senate committees "implicitly threatened a constitutional showdown if the White House does not comply with the subpoenas -- or strike a deal. 'The bread crumbs in this investigation have always led to 1600 Pennsylvania,' said House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers, D-Mich."

Roll Call notes the Democratic House and Senate committees' "highly cooperative approach" with each other, and says it "could increase the lawmakers' political leverage as they issue subpoenas for key witnesses and documents from the White House." Another part of the Democratic strategy is described by the Washington Post, which says that by "targeting two former administration officials," Sen. Pat Leahy and Conyers "are hoping that Miers and Taylor might decide to reach accords with the House and Senate committees, regardless of the administration's interests, according to congressional aides. A similar tactic resulted in damaging public testimony earlier this year from D. Kyle Sampson and Monica M. Goodling." Sen. Charles E. Schumer, meanwhile, "said Democrats are keenly interested in obtaining testimony from presidential adviser Karl Rove but must first question other White House officials." The Financial Times notes "the House committee authorised a subpoena for Mr Rove in March but has so far refrained from issuing it."

USA Today notes "the White House has offered to let Miers and Taylor be interviewed without a transcript and without taking an oath," but "Congress rejected the offer." The Washington Times notes "White House Counsel Fred F. Fielding last week warned Mr. Conyers and Mr. Leahy that subpoenas would 'elevate the stakes' and 'prolong this debate.'" Yesterday, Leahy "accused Mr. Fielding of being uncooperative, in a letter accompanying the subpoenas. 'You have not made any effort to work with us,' Mr. Leahy said. 'You have merely restated your initial, unacceptable offer.' 'The White House's continued stonewalling leads to the obvious conclusion that the White House is hiding the truth because there is something to hide,' Mr. Leahy said."

Meanwhile, McClatchy reports "the Senate Judiciary Committee planned to meet Thursday to consider more subpoenas, this time for Justice Department documents setting out the legal justification for the administration's warrant-less domestic eavesdropping program."

The New York Times reports that a White House spokesman, Tony Fratto, "said in a statement that 'committees can easily obtain the facts they want without this confrontational approach by simply accepting our offer.' The committees' Democratic leaders 'are more interested in creating media drama than getting the facts,' Mr. Fratto said." Senate Minority Whip Trent Lott, on MSNBC's Hardball, echoed that line, "It's all just more political shenanigans. It's kind of like the non-binding, irrelevant, and unenforceable resolution that Chuck Schumer introduced to say we have no confidence in Al Gonzales. That hasn't happened in my 39 years here in Congress. It was much ado about nothing. And I suspect this is what's going on here, too. It's just political theater."

Senators Near Fresh Deal On Immigration

The AP says "key" senators "are reaching for a deal to resurrect their stalled immigration compromise by requiring that some $4 billion be spent on border security and workplace enforcement. The mandatory security funding is part of a plan to attract more Republican support for the measure." Republican backers say a deal could be reached as early as today. Senate Minority Whip Trent Lott said on MSNBC's Hardball, "It's not dead. ... If we can get an agreement on amendments that should and could be offered, that could change a lot of things in this bill to make them better, then I think we can get cloture to get back on the bill and get it to a conclusion."

Roll Call runs a story headlined "New Deal On Immigration Debate Appears Close," but the article itself is more circumspect, reporting that "while GOP aides close to the issue said it appeared likely a deal could be reached, they cautioned it remains in flux." The New York Times says President Bush is expected to take a new tack in an address before the Associated Builders and Contractors today, depicting the bill "as a way to secure the borders and curtail the influx of illegal immigrants." USA Today, meanwhile, says senators from both parties met with Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff "to find ways to attract more support for the immigration bill."

Both Sides Try To Affect Public Opinion, Lawmakers The New York Times reports immigration advocates "moved forward on Wednesday with a new round of lobbying that they hope will lead illegal immigrants out of the shadows," with "two nationwide caravans supporting immigrant rights" on the way to Washington. At the same time, the Washington Times reports American Conservative Union Chairman David Keene said, "The right generally has been invigorated by the debate and has pulled together in part because of the way the administration has attempted to demonize its conservative opposition."

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Pentagon: Surge Not Stopping Violence

A Pentagon report saying the US troop surge in Iraq is not reducing violence there receives some rather cynical coverage. The CBS Evening News said, "No wonder the White House is warning not to expect a surge to produce dramatic results by September." While the report "does cite positive trends like a decrease in sectarian killings," the "terrorists seem to have shifted to bridges." Those attacks "don't cause as many casualties, but they send the same message: The government cannot protect you." NBC Nightly News said that while the "overall level of violence 'remained relatively unchanged' in the first three months" of the surge, in the "past month alone, sectarian killings in Baghdad are back on the rise now."

Taking a different tone, the New York Times says that the report said it was "too early to say whether the security effort in Baghdad would achieve lasting security gains." But McClatchy adds that the report "gives a less optimistic assessment of the impact of the so-called surge than commanders on the ground offered during that same period."

USA Today interviews US commander Gen. David Petraeus, who says he "sees 'astonishing signs of normalcy' in half, perhaps two-thirds, of Baghdad." Petraeus said, "I'm talking about professional soccer leagues with real grass field stadiums, several amusement parks -- big ones, markets that are very vibrant." He said such scenes "provide a sign that the new strategy in Iraq is working, although many problems remain."

Gates Says Iran Arming Taliban

Defense Secretary Robert Gates, speaking at Ramstein Air Base in Germany, said large weapons shipments from Iran to the Taliban in Afghanistan are unlikely to have taken place without the Iranian government's knowledge, the AP reports. The wire service says the comments "were the strongest yet by a Cabinet secretary about Iran's support of the terrorist group in Afghanistan." Undersecretary of State Robert Burns seconded Gates' assessment, telling CNN that the US "now has irrefutable evidence that Iran is arming the Taliban." Burns said the weapons are "certainly coming from the government of Iran."

The Wall Street Journal says that "accusing Iran of increased meddling in the region could help the Administration maintain momentum for its campaign to build international support for sanctions aimed at curbing Tehran's nuclear program." But skeptics say the claims "come at a time when the Administration has largely remained silent on growing intelligence that Pakistan is arming and funding the Taliban." A dubious New York Times says that, "given the failings of American intelligence leading up to the war in Iraq, any new analysis of purportedly hostile behavior by adversaries may be greeted with skepticism." However, the Times concedes, Gates "gave a measured assessment of the arms smuggling and did not specifically declare direct sponsorship by the Iranian government."

Petraeus: Iran Also Arming Iraqi Extremists USA Today reports that in an interview, US commander in Iraq Gen. David Petraeus "accused Iran of 'funding, arming, training and, even in some cases, directing the activities of extremists and militia elements in Iraq.'"

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CAMPAIGN NEWS

Obama In Hot Water Over Past Ties

Under the front-page headline "An Obama Patron And Friend Until An Indictment," the New York Times runs a report on the relationship between Sen. Barack Obama and entrepreneur Antoin Rezko that casts Obama in a critical light. The piece begins by saying Rezko, "an entrepreneur of considerable charm who found riches in fast food and real estate, is known around Chicago as a collector of politicians. Back in the 1990s, Mr. Rezko's office was adorned with framed photos of candidates he viewed as up-and-comers," including that of Obama, "a state legislator whose first campaign donations included $2,000 from Mr. Rezko's companies." As Obama "built a career that carried him to the Senate in 2004, Mr. Rezko was there with him, holding fund-raisers and rallying support." But with Rezko now under indictment on federal business fraud and influence peddling charges, Obama's "once-beneficial relationship with his old friend and patron has become problematic." It is not until the article's sixth paragraph that the Times says there is "is no sign that Mr. Obama...did anything improper."

The AP reports Obama's campaign has confirmed a report from yesterday's Chicago Sun-Times that he wrote to officials in 1998 on behalf of Rezko's proposed New Kenwood LLC housing project. They said Obama "did so to help his community and not as a favor."

McCain Takes To The Offensive

Sen. John McCain, struggling in recent polls, took to the offensive yesterday against his presidential rivals, hitting Sen. Hillary Clinton on pork barrel spending and Mitt Romney on his abortion record. McCain criticized Clinton "for including 26 earmarks worth about $148.4 million in the defense authorization bill." In a story that received heavy national coverage, the AP says McCain, addressing reporters after a Los Angeles fundraiser, said Clinton "larded a Senate bill with a lineup of 'pork-barrel' proposals that would drain funds needed to shore up armed forces arrayed around the globe." McCain said, "We can't do this earmarking and pork-barreling if we ever are going to be careful and serious stewards of the taxpayers' dollars."

A separate AP story reports McCain's campaign "circulated a video clip showing then-Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney reiterating his vow to uphold the state's abortion-rights laws." In response, Romney "suggested that his opponent's criticism was a sign that the Arizona senator is struggling in his presidential bid." In the May 27, 2005, video, Romney said he is "absolutely committed to my promise to maintain the status quo with regards to laws relating to abortion and choice" in Massachusetts. In an interview, Romney replied, "I guess politics can get a little testy if you're having a difficult time yourself."

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Clinton, Giuliani Tops In Another Poll

Yet another poll out this morning shows the two frontrunners maintaining their leads in the presidential race. The Wall Street Journal reports that a new NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll shows Rudy Giuliani leading the GOP field with 30%, followed by Fred Thompson, 22%; Sen. John McCain, 18%; Mitt Romney, 11%; and Newt Gingrich, 8%; eight other Republicans each poll three percent or less. On the Democratic side, Sen. Hillary Clinton leads with 39%, followed by Sen. Barack Obama, 25%; and John Edwards 15%, with no other candidate topping four percent.

Spielberg Bucks Obama, Backs Clinton

Steven Spielberg's decision to back Sen. Hillary Clinton over her Democratic rivals is receiving extremely heavy coverage this morning, which is portraying the move as a sign that Hollywood is turning towards Clinton and away from Sen. Barack Obama. In a widely distributed story that was picked up by hundreds of news outlets nationwide, the AP reports Clinton "has won the endorsement of film producer and director Steven Spielberg, ending a tug-of-war between" Clinton and Obama "for the Hollywood heavyweight's affections." The AP adds that Spielberg "has been a supporter and contributor to Clinton in the past, but his support for her presidential bid wasn't always certain. In February, he co-hosted a Beverly Hills fundraiser for Obama with his DreamWorks production partners David Geffen and Jeffrey Katzenberg that brought in more than $1.3 million. Katzenberg is backing Obama, as is Geffen, a former Clinton ally turned critic." The New York Times adds that "after flirtation" with Obama, "and maxing out his contributions to both Mr. Obama and former Senator John Edwards," Spielberg "threw his support" behind Clinton. The Times reports the following statement is posted on the Clinton website: "I've taken the time to familiarize myself with the impressive field of Democratic candidates and am convinced that Hillary Clinton is the most qualified candidate to lead us from her first day in the White House. Hillary is a strong leader and is respected the world over. As president, she will bring America back together, rebuild our prestige abroad and ensure our protection here at home."

Hollywood metaphors abound in the coverage. Under the headline "Blockbuster Endorsement For Clinton Campaign," the Los Angeles Times says Clinton "took home the political equivalent of the Oscar" in winning the influential film director's support. The Times says the endorsement "underscores what Hollywood politicos have been saying for several weeks: Members of the largely Democratic entertainment industry are getting over their crush" on Obama "and are now looking at Clinton as a more likely presidential prospect."

The Washington Post runs a brief item under the headline "Spielberg Turns Spotlight On Clinton," asking if the "Hollywood flirtation" with Obama is "beginning to fade." While Spielberg has donated to Clinton, Obama, and John Edwards, he now says he is "solidly with the senator from New York." Variety runs a lengthy piece on the endorsement which says Spielberg's endorsement "may not mean much to middle America, but in Hollywood it could send a clear signal that the New York senator is solidifying her support among traditional industry donors who may have been tantilized [sic] by the candidacy of Barack Obama." The New York Post reports under the headline "Hill Wins Steve Stakes," "Spielberg is one of Hollywood's most high-profile Democratic hotshots, and his endorsement could sway politically savvy actor pals like Tom Hanks -- who gave money to Obama earlier this year -- to sign up with Clinton and send cash her way."

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POLITICAL HUMOR

The Latest From Late Night Comedians

Jay Leno: "A Chinese court has jailed two officials for allowing a blind contractor to build a bridge which collapsed during construction, injuring 12 people. ... And how ironic" is it that the blind contractor turned out to be "the same guy FEMA hired to inspect the levees in New Orleans."

David Letterman: "By the way, this just in. Al Qaeda is claiming credit for the vague ending of 'The Sopranos.'"

Conan O'Brien: "President Bush met with the Pope this weekend. And he made a mistake, because instead of calling the Pope 'Your Holiness,' Bush called him 'sir'. Which you're not supposed to do. Yeah. Yeah, then, instead of kissing the Pope's ring, Bush went for a high-five and said, 'Up top, Popey!'"

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