Political Bulletin

WASHINGTON NEWS

Media Derides Bush Focus On Al Qaeda

To considerable skepticism from the media and Hill Democrats, President Bush yesterday made the case that Al Qaeda In Iraq and the terror network that attacked the US on 9/11 are closely connected. The State, of Columbia, SC, reports that in remarks at a Charleston military base, Bush said both groups "answer to terrorist mastermind Osama Bin Laden," and they both want "to destroy freedom." The Los Angeles Times notes Bush said it "would be news to Osama bin Laden" if al Qaeda in Iraq was "not part of the organization that attacked the United States on Sept. 11, 2001, and is not intent on attacking" the US homeland. The Washington Times calls the speech Bush's "most direct effort to date to connect al Qaeda to the Iraq war," taking "direct aim at Democrats who charge the president has exaggerated the al Qaeda presence in Iraq."

The AP says Bush presented his case "in broad strokes," and goes on to assert that despite Bush's argument, "Al Qaeda had no active cells in Iraq when the US invaded in March 2003, and its operation" in Iraq "is much larger now than before the war, US intelligence officers say." UPI runs a similar, brief dispatch on Bush's comments yesterday. MSNBC's Hardball called Bush's speech "one of the most provocative...of his presidency." He spoke "about al Qaeda, the terrorist organization that attacked America on 9/11. Today...Bush said that some group -- the same group, is making its stand not in Pakistan but in Iraq." The Washington Post also casts doubt on Bush's conclusions, noting "Democrats and others" instead believe "al-Qaeda is not running the war" in Iraq, "but is instead benefiting from it."

Those same criticisms were echoed yesterday by Democratic lawmakers. Fox News' Special Report reported "top Democrats responded quickly, saying the president was again trying to scare the American people into continuing the war." The New York Times says Democrats "accused Mr. Bush of overstating" the ties between Bin Laden and Al Qaeda in Iraq "to provide a basis for continuing the American presence in Iraq." The Los Angeles Times notes Sen. John Kerry called Bush's case "a phony argument," and said that 'the principal threat' in Iraq is not Al Qaeda but a civil war that pits Sunni against Shiite and an Iraqi government that is not joining the fight." The El Paso Times notes Rep. Silvestre Reyes, chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, also criticized Bush's remarks, arguing "the US presence in Iraq could backfire when it comes to protecting the homeland against attack, because al Qaeda -- painting coalition troops as 'occupiers of the Holy Land' -- is able to raise money, recruit fighters and train against specific U.S. tactics and equipment."

The Charleston Post And Courier (SC) says that "by stressing al-Qaida's burgeoning operation in Iraq, Bush aimed to frame the war in the public's mind as a matter of protecting the United States." Likewise, CNN noted Bush "mentioned al Qaeda 93 times in just 29 minutes, in an attempt to convince the American people US troops must stay in Iraq. The strategy is simple: emphasize al Qaeda's role in the violence, not the fighting between warring Iraqi groups." The CBS Evening News said the President used "a new rationale...clearly shifting from policing sectarian violence to targeting Al Qaeda." Bush "barely mentioned the Sunni-Shiite violence US troops constantly confront, using the phrase 'sectarian strife' just twice in a half-hour speech, explaining why US troops are in Iraq." Similarly, NBC Nightly News reported, "Critics argue the White House overlooks that Al Qaeda only gained a foothold in Iraq because of the US invasion, a point intelligence officials concede."

USA Today describes Bush's remarks yesterday as part of an effort to sway public opinion in his direction with an eye on Gen. Petraeus September 14 Iraq report. "For the next seven weeks," says USA Today, "the commander in chief becomes salesman in chief." The New York Times also says the speech "reflected concern at the White House over criticism that he is focusing on the wrong terrorist threat." As part of the effort, the White House appears to be reaching out to members of Congress. The Wilkes-Barre Times Leader reports, "National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley on Tuesday opened the doors to his White House office to five freshman congressmen, including Chris Carney." Carney "said the meeting was called to discuss the situation in Iraq and to provide the new legislators with updated information on the war effort."

Bush, Maliki Discuss War, Faith In Bi-Weekly Teleconferences The New York Times reports on bi-weekly video teleconferences between President Bush and other top Administration officials and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al Malaki. In "sessions usually lasting more than an hour," Bush and Maliki "talk about leadership and democracy, troop deployments and their own domestic challenges. Sometimes, said an official who has sat in on the meetings, they talk about their faith in God." The meetings are "typical of the type of personal diplomacy Mr. Bush has practiced throughout his presidency, exemplified by the way he warmed to President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia -- misguidedly, in the view of some policy analysts -- after Mr. Putin showed him a cross he wears that his mother gave him."

Gonzales Hurts Himself With Testimony

In what appears to have become a Washington ritual, Attorney General Alberto Gonzales is being roundly criticized this morning after testifying before Congress. The AP reports "angry senators suggested a special prosecutor should investigate misconduct at the Justice Department, accusing...Gonzales on Tuesday of deceit on the prosecutor firings and President Bush's eavesdropping program." Democrats and Republicans "hammered Gonzales in four hours of testimony as he denied trying, as White House counsel in 2004, to push a hospitalized attorney general into approving a counterterror program that the Justice Department then viewed as illegal."

Roll Call titles its story "Gonzales Digs Deeper Hole," and reports Gonzales "may have put himself in legal jeopardy with his testimony," senators "of both parties warned." Several lawmakers "cast doubt on the truthfulness of his answers and suggested he may have improperly released classified information in his own defense." Sen. Arlen Specter also "said it may be time to appoint a special prosecutor to deal with the executive privilege dispute between the White House and Congress over the firing of nine US attorneys last year." The Washington Times notes Sen. Jay Rockefeller said Gonzales "may have perjured himself."

The Washington Post reports Gonzales "testified yesterday that top congressional leaders from both parties agreed in March 2004 to continue a classified surveillance activity that Justice Department officials had deemed illegal, a contention immediately disputed by key Democratic lawmakers." And The Los Angeles Times notes Gonzales "revealed today that he and Andrew H. Card Jr., then White House chief of staff, had decided to approach the bedridden Ashcroft on March 10, 2004, after an 'emergency meeting' hours before with senior congressional leaders in the situation room in the White House."

The Hill notes former Deputy AG James "Comey told senators that Gonzales, then White House counsel, had pressured the hospitalized Ashcroft to grant legal approval to the National Security Agency's (NSA) system of wiretapping suspected terrorists without a court order. Gonzales confirmed Comey's account last month, but contradicted it on Tuesday."

The New York Times says Gonzales, "in an acrimonious hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee," endured "the nearly four-hour battering at the hearing with a calm, sometimes bewildered expression. He insisted he would stay on as attorney general despite his low credibility in Congress." On its website, U.S. News and World Report says "Gonzales's testimony showcased the growing distance between Congress and the White House over not only the firings but the functioning and credibility of the Justice Department. And that distance may only grow greater in the weeks ahead." And In his Washington Post column, Dana Milbank writes, "White House officials are vying to be the first person held in 'contempt of Congress' for refusing to cooperate with probes of the Bush administration. Turns out the contempt is mutual. After four hours of questioning...Gonzales yesterday, the Senate Judiciary Committee didn't even require a vote to establish beyond a reasonable doubt that Congress found Gonzales contemptuous."

The Washington Post, in an editorial titled "Credibility Collapse," says, "Something is terribly, terribly wrong when the attorney general of the United States is called to testify under oath before Congress and much of the hearing revolves around his credibility -- or lack thereof. ... At what point does someone lose so much credibility that he should no longer serve in public office? In the case of Mr. Gonzales, we believe that time has come and gone."

House Preparing Contempt Citations. Meanwhile, the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday released a report on the US attorney firings. The Washington Post says the House Democrats, "preparing for a vote today on contempt citations against President Bush's chief of staff and former counsel, produced a report yesterday that for the first time alleges specific ways that several administration officials may have broken the law during the multiple firings of US attorneys." The report says "senior White House and Justice Department aides involved in the removal of nine US attorneys last year may have obstructed justice and violated federal statutes that protect civil service employees, prohibit political retaliation against government officials and cover presidential records."

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Bush Among Least Popular Presidents

The Washington Post reports that with "18 months left in office," President Bush "is in the running for most unpopular president in the history of modern polling." The latest Washington Post-ABC News survey "shows that 65 percent of Americans disapprove of Bush's job performance, matching his all-time low. In polls conducted by The Post or Gallup going back to 1938, only once has a president exceeded that level of public animosity -- and that was Richard M. Nixon, who hit 66 percent four days before he resigned."

Emanuel: No Immigration Reform Soon

The Washington Times reports Rep. Rahm Emanuel, "an architect of the Democratic campaign that regained control of the House last year, says his party will not attempt comprehensive immigration reform until at least the second term of a prospective Democratic president." Emanuel's remark "underscored how difficult the politics of immigration is for both parties."

Hyde Hospitalized After Heart Surgery

The Chicago Tribune reports former Rep. Henry Hyde "remained under sedation Tuesday and was in intensive care in Provena Mercy Medical Center in Aurora after open-heart bypass surgery Saturday, a former top aide said." Hyde was "being gradually brought out of sedation because of his age and other health issues, said former executive assistant Patrick Durante."

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CAMPAIGN NEWS

Clinton, Obama Spar Over Dictator Diplomacy

Sen. Hillary Clinton's campaign yesterday increased its criticism of rival Sen. Barack Obama over his response to a question on diplomacy at Monday's CNN/YouTube Democratic debate. Obama's campaign, in turn, accused the Clinton camp of adopting what it called the Bush Administration's diplomatic approach. The campaigns also brought out former Clinton Administration officials Madeleine Albright and Anthony Lake, respectively, to bolster their candidates' case.

The AP reports Obama's "offer to meet without precondition with leaders of renegade nations such as Cuba, North Korea and Iran touched off a war of words, with" Clinton "calling him naive and Obama linking her to President Bush's diplomacy." The answer "triggered a round of competing memos and statements Tuesday between the chief Democratic presidential rivals. Obama's team portrayed it as a bold stroke; Clinton supporters saw it as a gaffe that underscored the freshman senator's lack of foreign policy experience." Both parties were "weighing the potential political fallout, especially in Florida, an early primary state, a pivotal general election state - and where Cuban President Fidel Castro remains particularly unpopular."

The CBS Evening News characterized the fallout today as "a dust-up," noting that "the Obama campaign said his position is tough and smart and charged that Clinton's stance put her in line with President Bush. Clinton said Obama's position is 'irresponsible and naive.'"

ABC World News reported that Clinton "clearly believes Senator Obama made a rookie mistake, playing to her strength, experience. In a newspaper interview today, she used the strongest language yet, that any front-runner has used against a competitor." Clinton: "I thought that was irresponsible and frankly naive, to say that he would commit to a meeting with Chavez and Castro, and others within the first year. Senator Obama gave an answer, which I think he's regretting today." Tapper: "Obama campaign officials insisted all the Senator was saying is that his administration would conduct diplomacy with countries unfriendly to the US. And today, Obama hammered back, arguing Senator Clinton earlier this year, expressed similar sentiments."

The Des Moines Register reports Clinton, "during a conference call with Iowa reporters, said the idea of entering direct talks with top leaders without lengthy diplomatic spadework demonstrated a lack of understanding."

The Quad-City Times reports that for his part, Obama, "in a separate interview with the Times, vigorously defended his comments. 'What she's somehow maintaining is my statement could be construed as not having asked what the meeting was about. I didn't say these guys were going to come over for a cup of coffee some afternoon,' he said. He added Clinton is making a larger point. 'From what I heard, the point was, well, I wouldn't do that because it might allow leaders like Hugo Chavez to score propaganda points,' he said. 'I think that is absolutely wrong.' He likened the position to a continuation of the Bush administration diplomatic policies. And he said what was 'irresponsible and naïve' was voting to authorize the Iraq War."

McClatchy reports the Clinton campaign "dispatched former Clinton Secretary of State Madeline Albright, who said in a conference call that the New York senator had struck the proper diplomatic tone, ruling out engagement until lower-level talks had been completed." Obama's campaign "countered with a statement from Anthony Lake, former President Clinton's national security adviser, who said a 'great nation and its president should never fear negotiating with anyone.'"

The New York Times reports that Clinton's "remark was a rare instance of her personally intensifying the months-old effort by her campaign to portray her, a two-term senator and former first lady, as the most prepared Democrat to become commander in chief in 2009, and Mr. Obama, a senator since 2005, as not ready for the job."

Obama Going On The Air In South Carolina

In a "Pure Horserace" column on the website of CBS News, David Miller wrote "there is a growing expectation that Obama needs to" make "inroads among those backing the former first lady," including black voters, one of Clinton's main constituencies. To that end, the Obama campaign will begin airing a radio ad on three dozen South Carolina radio stations that cater to black audiences. And, reading "between the lines" of Monday's debate, "it's clear that Obama is gradually stepping up his anti-Clinton rhetoric, even if he doesn't use her name," as occurred when he cited the failure of health care reform efforts in Bill Clinton's first term. Miller added, "As the summer draws to a close and fall begins, expect Obama to become even more focused on challenging Clinton's grip on the front-runner spot." The AP reports Obama "is reaching out to fellow blacks in his first advertising effort in South Carolina, a minute-long spot scheduled to begin airing Wednesday on 36 radio stations with predominantly black listenership."

Fake Obama Campaign Bilking Donors In California

In a front-page story, the San Francisco Chronicle reports, "The state chairman of the 'Californians for Obama' campaign has raised thousands of dollars in donations through promotions ranging from celebrity-studded Mexican cruises to CD sales to campaign office 'grand openings' in support of the popular Illinois Democratic senator and presidential candidate." However, Obama's presidential campaign said yesterday "it was unaware of the activities of the entirely unauthorized Southern California-based fundraising efforts of Emmett Cash III -- a self-proclaimed former movie mogul who was a registered Republican until last month." Obama's campaign, upon being informed of the organizations activities, "said the senator's camp Tuesday issued a stern warning asking him to close operations.'" A Chronicle investigation found that none of the funds, about $10,000 in total, raised by Cash had gone to the Obama campaign.

Thompson Shakes Up Non-Campaign

There are some signs of problems today in Fred Thompson's as-of-yet unofficial presidential campaign. The AP reports Thompson "is shaking up his still-unofficial campaign, replacing his top aide with a former Michigan senator and a veteran Florida strategist." The "shake-up comes amid consternation inside the campaign about the active role played by Thompson's wife, Jeri, a lawyer, media consultant and former Republican National Committee official." Thompson spokeswoman Linda Rozett said, "It is not a personal issue. It's an organizational issue. We are strengthening the organization as we enter the next phase." The AP adds acting campaign manager Tom Collamore "will still advise Thompson, but his presidential operation will be run by the duo of former senator and energy secretary Spencer Abraham and a Florida GOP strategist, Randy Enright, according to Rozett." The Washington Post reports, "Republican insiders reported that differences between Collamore and Thompson's wife, Jeri, led to the changes. Sources close to the campaign said those reports were overblown. 'There's some rub, but it's not near the way it's being played out,' one knowledgeable Republican said."

However, The Politico, a DC-insider publication, suggests that there is a broader reason for the move. The Politico reports Thompson "shook up his team Tuesday amid fears he was losing momentum and needed an injection of talent." Top aides "had soured on Tom Collamore, the operations chief for the Republican presidential campaign in waiting."

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POLITICAL HUMOR

The Latest From Late Night Comedians

Jay Leno: "John Edwards is continuing his poverty tour around America. ... Today he visited with a group of people who get their haircut in a place called a barbershop."

Jay Leno: "The White House announced that right after President Bush got his colonoscopy on Saturday, he immediately played with his dogs and rode his bicycle. How old is he, 12?"

David Letterman: "Well, over the weekend, President Bush had his annual physical, and he had one of those colonoscopies. Now he knows what it feels like to be invaded."

David Letterman: "Thank God he's okay. Although he was slightly injured trying to say the word 'colonoscopy.'"

David Letterman: "They removed five polyps, and 10 Al Gore ballots."

Jimmy Kimmel: Bush had "five polyps removed. Initially, he didn't want them removed. He said they were doing a heck of a job."

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