Sen. Ted Stevens' indictment for concealing gifts he received from oil company VECO is receiving widespread coverage on both the details of the charges and, to a lesser degree, the political fallout. ABC World News reported the "seven-count federal indictment was filed against" Stevens "on charges he concealed more than $250,000 of gifts and services from an oil company, which helped renovate his home in Alaska." Stevens "resigned from his leadership posts in two key committees, today, after becoming the 11th sitting US senator in American history to be indicted."
NBC Nightly News reports "analysts say this could be a fatal blow to his political future." Chuck Todd, NBC News political director: "Senator Stevens was considered one of the most vulnerable Republicans running for reelection in 2008. Now, with an actual indictment hanging over his head, it's probably impossible for him to survive." The CBS Evening News also noted that "the feds say they've got Stevens for not including the work on federal disclosure forms, but prosecutors stopped short of charging Stevens with actually taking a bribe. Another case where it's not the crime, it's the cover-up."
The Washington Post reports that the grand jury alleged that the gifts Sen. Stevens received included "a Viking gas grill, a tool cabinet and a wraparound deck. At one point, VECO employees and contractors jacked up the senator's mountainside house on stilts and added a new first floor, with two bedrooms and a bathroom, the indictment says." The AP adds that Stevens is also charged with "failing to report swapping an old Ford for a new Land Rover to be driven by one of his children." USA Today notes that Sen. Stevens "is the first senator to be indicted in 15 years."
The Hill reports that although Sen. Stevens assisted VECO "with international projects in Pakistan and Russia, grants from the National Science Foundation to a VECO subsidiary, and assistance with construction of a natural gas pipeline from Alaska's North Slope," the indictment "does not allege bribery by VECO, instead saying the senator knowingly concealed gifts from the company."
The New York Times reports Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid "said he learned of the indictment in an e-mail message from a staff member." Reid "said that Senate Republicans would have to decide how to deal with Mr. Stevens, but suggested that they might move swiftly as they did after the news last summer that Senator Larry E. Craig...had pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct, a misdemeanor."
Fox News' Special Report reported that the indictment "comes at a time when Stevens is in the re-election fight of his life. Even though this is a Republican administration, the Justice Department wanted to be very clear that this election year indictment is arising now only because the case was ready for prosecution." The AP reports that yesterday Sen. Stevens "was mum about his re-election plans. ... Stevens could compete in the primary and then withdraw, allowing the party to name a replacement to face the Democrats. Choosing popular Gov. Sarah Palin might actually boost Republicans' chances of holding on to Stevens' seat."
McClatchy notes Sen. Stevens "already faced a tough re-election fight; a recent Rasmussen poll had Democratic Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich up by 8 to 9 points, while a Research 2000 survey showed Begich ahead by 2 points." The Los Angeles Times says "some analysts wonder whether Stevens will drop his bid for reelection rather than risk the loss of his seat to a Democrat."
The Washington Times reports that one of Sen. Stevens' primary opponents is David Cuddy, "a wealthy real estate developer who spent more than a $1 million of his own money in a losing battle against Mr. Stevens in the 1996 Republican primary." The Hill reports that "even if he decided not to run, Stevens's name wouldn't come off the primary ballot, said state elections director Gail Fenumiai. Should he win that primary, whether as an active candidate or not, Fenumiai said, Republicans would have to decide on a replacement by Sept. 17."
During a visit to Euclid, Ohio, yesterday, the AP reports President Bush, "pressuring lawmakers to act on gas prices before they break for the summer, challenged Congress again Tuesday to relent on offshore oil drilling." During a visit to Lincoln Electric Company, Bush said, "Now it's up to the United States Congress to make a decision as to whether or not you're going to continue to face high gasoline prices at the pump."
Fox News' Special Report reported, "After touring a welding plant in Ohio, President Bush took direct aim at the Democratic-controlled Congress," saying it "is the only thing standing between the American people and more domestic oil production." The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports Bush "used the bulk of the 25-minute speech...to call on Congress to support oil exploration off the Atlantic and Pacific coasts and in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge."
The Toledo Blade reports the President "used a speech at a northeastern Ohio manufacturer of welding equipment to push domestic oil drilling, nuclear power, and other sources of energy as part of the answer to the country's 'uncertain times.'"
Meanwhile, in a Washington Times op-ed, Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman writes, "As he has many times before over the course of his administration, President Bush last month called on Congress once again to remove the barriers to domestic oil exploration and production it has imposed." The "effort to permit energy exploration in the deep waters of the Outer Continental Shelf," Bodman says, "is a fundamental step toward addressing the supply and demand challenges which underpin the increase in the price of oil."
However, the Los Angeles Times reports three "West Coast governors urged the federal government Tuesday to keep new oil drilling rigs out of their waters and to spend more money on programs to restore the health of the Pacific Ocean." California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R), Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski (D), and Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire "reaffirm[ed] their opposition to opening undersea oil fields to new drilling, as part of an elaborate action plan for preserving coastal waters."
Bush Attends GOP Fundraiser. The AP reports that also during his trip to Ohio yesterday, President Bush "raised some cash for the Congressional Trust, a Republican campaign fund for congressional candidates. The event, which "was expected to raise $530,000," was held in "a Cleveland suburb, at the home of insurance executive Umberto Fedeli."
In its report on Bush's visit to the region, the Cleveland Plain Dealer briefly notes that House Minority Leader John Boehner and Rep. Steve LaTourrette "joined other Ohio Republicans at the sold-out event, which drew 110 attendees who paid between $10,000 and $25,000."
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On its front page, the New York Times reports, "The sharp drop in energy prices since the beginning of the month is turning into a rare bright spot in a bleak economic landscape. For the moment, at least, fears of a prolonged energy shock seem to have subsided a bit." Crude futures are down "more than $23 a barrel, or 16 percent, since peaking on July 3. Gasoline has slipped below $4 a gallon and is dropping fast as Americans drive less."
The AP reports, "Oil prices tumbled more than $2 a barrel Tuesday, finishing at their lowest level in seven weeks as a stronger dollar and beliefs that record prices are eroding the world's thirst for energy sparked another dramatic sell-off." The AP adds, "Light, sweet crude for September delivery fell $2.54 to settle at $122.19 on the New York Mercantile Exchange." The Wall Street Journal reports, "Is oil's meteoric rise finally burning out? A consensus is emerging among oil traders and analysts that it has, weeks after some of them were saying oil could roar above $150 a barrel." The oil market "has taken on a distinct chill...with funds looking to sell oil futures outnumbering those seeking to buy for the first time since early 2007, and most of the long-term money betting that oil prices will continue to sink."
A widely-cited index yesterday reported housing prices continued to fall in May, indicating the sector will continue to be a drain on the US economy. The New York Times /AP reports, "Two trouble spots in the economy showed little sign of improvement in the last few months, as home prices fell again in May and consumer confidence stagnated in July, according to a pair of reports issued Tuesday." Home prices, "already falling at the steepest rate in two decades, tumbled again in May, according to the Standard & Poor's/Case-Shiller index, a widely watched survey that measures prices in 20 major metropolitan areas."
NBC Nightly News reported, "What started as a few bad mortgages is now a full-blown crisis. Home prices in the twenty largest cities, down almost 16% since last year." Falling home prices "are like an infection, now spreading throughout the US economy. The latest to feel the effect? State and local governments, where budget problems are popping up everywhere."
The Wall Street Journal reports the S&P/Case-Shiller index shows that on "a month-to month basis, the 10-market survey declined 1% in May and the 20-market survey dropped by 0.9% Not all the data were negative." The Financial Times reports although the S&P/Case Schiller index's "overall figure was slightly better than expected by most economists, it marked the steepest fall since the index was created eight years ago eclipsing the 15.3 per cent drop reported in April."
Economists Believe US Avoiding Recession USA Today reports an "increasing number of top economists say the US economy is likely to narrowly avoid a recession this year, according to a new quarterly survey by USA TODAY." The survey "of 54 economists at corporations, universities and trade associations also indicates little support for a second government stimulus package, and a growing belief that the Federal Reserve should place greater emphasis on fighting inflation." In the new survey, "economists divide about evenly on the question of whether the US is now in recession: 51% say yes; 49% say no. In the April survey, 67% thought the economy was in recession."
Stocks Up On Decline In Crude Oil Prices. The AP reports Wall Street "shot higher Tuesday, gaining back the previous session's sharp losses and then some, after a drop in oil prices and a rise in consumer confidence gave investors some hope for a letup in Americans' financial woes." Crude oil prices "sank $2.54 to $122.19 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, extending their two-week-long retreat from record highs above $147." The Dow "gained 266.48, or 2.39 percent, to 11,397.56." Broader stock indicators "also climbed. The Standard & Poor's 500 index rose 28.83, or 2.34 percent, to 1,263.20, and the Nasdaq composite index rose 55.40, or 2.45 percent, to 2,319.62."
President Bush met yesterday at the White House with a group of Chinese dissidents in advance of his visit to China next week for the Olympics.
NBC Nightly News reported, "President Bush sent a message today to critics of China's human rights record, and for that matter, to China itself. The President held a previously unannounced meeting with Chinese dissidents." Bush "assured them he will quote, 'carry the message of freedom,' when he goes to China next week."
Yesterday's meeting, reports the AP, was "meant to send a reassuring message to human rights groups upset that the president is going next week to Beijing to watch the Olympics." White House spokeswoman Dana Perino "said Bush held the talks to 'discuss his concerns about human rights in China' and to promise that he would carry those concerns to Beijing, where he is meeting with Chinese President Hu Jintao and other officials along with attending several days of competition."
The Washington Post reports the "unannounced meeting is likely to displease China's Communist leadership, which is focused on playing down complaints of human rights abuses preceding the Beijing games." The White House identified the activists with whom Bush met as "prison critic Harry Wu, democracy activist Wei Jinsheng, Uighur activist Rebiya Kadeer, Bob Fu of the China Aid Association and writer Sasha Gong."
The New York Times reports that although Bush "has faced criticism from human rights advocates and members of Congress for his decision to attend" the Olympics, his meetings on Tuesday "drew praise from some of those critics." Amnesty International's Asia director, T. Kumar, called the meeting "a welcome step," adding that Bush "should now speak forcefully about China's human rights situation, because quiet diplomacy alone has shown little success."
Brownback: China Plans To Spy On Visitors The Hill reports Sen. Sam Brownback on Tuesday "alleged that China is preparing a spy attack on visitors of the Olympic Games" in Beijing. Brownback told reporters that China has "carefully plotted to take advantage of the situation of having thousands of foreign visitors on its soil" and "set up a system to be able to spy and gather information about each and every guest at hotels where Olympic visitors are located."
The AP reports "a spokesman for the Chinese embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment." The AP adds that "earlier this year, the US State Department issued a fact sheet warning travelers attending the Olympic games that 'they have no reasonable expectation of privacy in public or private locations' in China."
China Still Battling Poor Air Quality NBC Nightly News reported, "The President will be in China just ten days from now for the opening ceremonies of the Beijing Olympic Games." But "as athletes and media gather for the Games that begin on 8/8/08, a big concern is the air they will breathe. Pollution may be a big factor in the competition, which is why China is in a race to clean it up before those Games begin."
The Washington Post reports a new study from the Rand Corporation finds that the Bush Administration's antiterrorism "strategy has not significantly undermined al-Qaeda's capabilities," and argues that "the struggle against terrorism is better waged by law enforcement agencies than by armies." However, because "al-Qaeda has sabotaged itself by creating ever greater numbers of enemies while not broadening its base of support," the terror group's "'probability of success in actually overthrowing any government is close to zero,' the report states."
The AP reports Rand found "that the use of military force by the United States or other countries should be reserved for quelling large, well-armed and well-organized insurgencies, and that American officials should stop using the term 'war on terror' and replace it with 'counterterrorism.'"
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The media today is filled with speculation about potential vice presidential candidates, but the focus is on Barack Obama's running mate, and one name seems to be coming to the surface: Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine. The CBS Evening News reported Obama met yesterday in DC "with his vice presidential search team. Reportedly under consideration: Kansas governor Kathleen Sebelius; Tim Kaine, Virginia's governor; and Senators Evan Bayh of Indiana and Joe Biden of Delaware." NBC Nightly News reported, "Speculation that Virginia governor Tim Kaine may be tapped as Barack Obama's running mate hit fever pitch, today. Two separate Democratic Party sources telling NBC News that Kaine is on a short list of three contenders, now. When asked about it today, Governor Kaine wouldn't talk about any vice presidential discussions. He said he will help the Obama campaign in any way he can." ABC News reports on its website that Kaine said Tuesday that Obama's "list of possible vice presidential running mates 'seems to be getting shorter.' 'There has been a long list. It seems to be getting shorter. And I'm still being mentioned,' said Kaine. 'A lot can change day-to-day. But we'll see.'"
Democrats Reportedly Vetting Kaine The New York Times reports that Obama's campaign is engaged in vetting candidates in earnest, doing extensive research for anything "problematic" in their backgrounds, and says one "point of inquiry, for instance, is a batch of old legal files in Richmond, Va., where death penalty cases of a young civil rights lawyer named Tim Kaine are being reviewed." Kaine's "work from two decades ago is suddenly a subject of at least some of the political detective work being conducted on a handful of Democrats."
The Wall Street Journal reports this morning that Sen. Barack Obama "discussed the current financial crisis and his proposals for tougher oversight of financial institutions" with Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, while the AP reports Obama also met with Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, with whom he "discussed the mortgage crisis and steps the government is taking to shore up the faltering economy, his campaign said." The Washington Post's Dana Milbank takes a slightly critical angle to Obama, headlining his piece "President Obama Continues Hectic Victory Tour," and calling him the "presumptuous nominee." Arguing "hubris" may be Obama's biggest opponent right now, Milbank mocked yesterday's economic meetings saying Obama "has already amassed the trappings of the presidency, without those pesky decisions."
Sen. Barack Obama is up with a new ad countering a GOP ad hitting him for opposing drilling, the AP reports. In a posting on its "Washington Wire" blog, the Wall Street Journal reports that the Obama ad uses "the same technique that deflected Hillary Clinton's attack ads in the Democratic primaries" by "dismissing his opponent's technique as politics-as-usual before turning to his own solutions." In a posting on its "The Trail" politics blog, the Washington Post suggests that the juxtaposition of McCain's image and the word "old" "both invites viewers to dismiss his charges and positions Obama as espousing a fresh approach to Washington."
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In a front page story this morning, the Washington Post examines Sen. John McCain's repeated criticism of Sen. Barack Obama for failing to visit wounded troops while in Germany "because he could not take reporters with him, despite no evidence that the charge is true." The attacks "come despite repeated pledges by the Republican that he will never question his rival's patriotism." Despite "serious and repeated queries about the charge over several days, McCain and his allies continued yesterday to question Obama's patriotism by focusing attention on the canceled hospital visit."
Despite the Post's judgment that the attacks are questioning Obama's patriotism, the New York Times reports this morning that an ad based on the issue is generating considerable free press as it has "been shown fully or partly on local, national and cable newscasts" "hundreds" of times, costing the campaign not a dime. In contrast, the AP notes that the McCain campaign actually only paid to air the spot four times total, all on Sunday.
The AP reports that a biopsy of a "small patch of skin" taken from John McCain's face "showed no evidence of skin cancer, doctors said Tuesday." In a statement released by McCain's campaign, Mayo Clinic spokesman Michael Yardley said, "No further treatment is necessary." NBC Nightly News briefly noted the story, while the New York Times adds McCain also "made a point of telling supporters Tuesday to wear sunscreen."
Roll Call reports, "Lobbyists might be persona non grata on the presidential campaign trail, but that hasn't put them off of donating to" Barack Obama. Obama "has pledged to forgo contributions from federally registered lobbyists. Yet, more than 40 have donated nearly $15,000 to his presidential campaign this year, according to records recently filed with the Senate and House."
The Gallup daily presidential tracking poll shows Barack Obama leading John McCain 47%-41%, down from a 49%-40% lead two days ago. The poll surveyed 2,668 registered voters July 26-28. The Rasmussen Report automated daily presidential tracking poll for July 29 shows that while Obama opened a wider lead over the weekend, it began closing two days ago and continued to do so in the current survey of 3,000 registered voters. Obama now leads McCain 44%-42%, and 47%-46% if leaners are included.
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David Letterman: Top Ten Signs Barack Obama Is Overconfident.
"10. Proposed bill to change Oklahoma to 'Oklabama.'
9. Offered Bush 20 bucks for the 'Mission Accomplished' banner.
8. Asked guy at Staples, 'Which chair will work best in an oval-shaped office?'
7. The affair with Barbara Walters.
6. Having head measured for Mount Rushmore.
5. Guy sits around eating soup all day.
4. He's voting for Nader.
3. Offered McCain a job in gift shop at Obama Presidential Library.
2. Announced his running mate will be Andy Dick.
1. Been cruising for chicks with John Edwards."
Jay Leno: "Barack Obama was on 'Meet the Press' Sunday." John McCain, meanwhile, "was on a new show called "I Wish I Could Meet the Press.'"
Conan O'Brien: "Hillary Clinton is trying to retire her campaign debt, so she's giving everyone who donates money a chance to have dinner with her. ... No word yet on what the winner gets."
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