Entries for April 24, 2007

While last week's Virginia Tech murders are still in the headlines, the administration this week plans to begin a listening tour of major campuses and educational facilities to look into school safety and mental health issues and to tell state and local officials that the feds have a lot of resources they can tap. "This isn't just a four-year-college issue," says an administration official. "It also impacts K-12 and two-year colleges so every educational facility has to be included." The plan to hold education safety roundtables around the country could be announced as soon as Wednesday. President Bush last week announced plans to have three Cabinet officials—Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, Education Secretary Margaret Spellings, and Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt—form his school safety task force. Officials said that tour dates are already being scheduled and one is set for New Mexico on Friday. There, Gov. Bill Richardson has already set up his own school safety task force, as has Virginia's governor, Tim Kaine. While the planned roundtables are the major effort by the administration to address the Virginia Tech shootings, administration officials say that the White House is also looking at forming a broader task force that would include key educators, doctors, and college administrators.

Josh Romney

mittromney.com

Probably the best part of GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney's website is the blog written by his five sons. Five Brothers is mostly trip reports from the guys as they travel the country on behalf of their dad. Nothing controversial here, though it has become a bit more lively recently. A new posting comes from Romney's granddaughter Allie, who 'fessed that she was surprised that her "grandpa" could answer every question during an "Ask Mitt Anything" event. And, she adds, he did it "without even a pause." And son Craig took an interesting question this week: Being Mormon, can Romney campaign on Sunday?

Ashton Kutcher

AP

Writes Craig: "We went to church every Sunday growing up. Everyone in my family continues to go to church every week when possible. Traveling and campaigning can take a toll in church attendance, especially on my dad, but we all strive to be there every Sunday." This is actually a big deal in the church, though it's not like Romney's breaking any kind of rule. In fact, he could argue that he's actually following the rules to spend the day in part helping to teach others.

And while you're on the website, check out bro Josh's page. Doesn't he look like Ashton Kutcher?