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4/29/04
War pics show the hardship
U.S. marines in Iraq have a message for the country: War is hard work but worth it and well deserving of recognition. In an E-mail making the rounds in Washington military circles this week, a handful of marines have pulled together a collage of photos of regular soldier life in Iraq that drive home difficulties they face, like sleeping in muddy holes and fighting in dust storms. "The proud warriors of Baker Company wanted to do something to pay tribute to our fallen comrades," said the E-mail's author. "It would be awesome if you could find a way to share this with our fellow countrymen." Here it is.
4/21/04
War on for US-VISIT program
Just weeks before the expected Homeland Security Department decision to pick a contractor for the multimillion-dollar US-VISIT Program, some K Street and congressional observers are wondering if defense giant Lockheed Martin Corp. will win as expected. Even though the company just set up a Washington office for the project, which will track foreign visitors, defense lobbyists and key congressional officials are buzzing that the firm's problem in other national security areas might prompt the government to look to other contractors like Accenture and Computer Sciences Corp. They cite delays in the CAPPS II program and other federal projects, in which Lockheed is a major player. Lockheed supporters, however, argue that the delays are manageable and that US-VISIT is a natural mate to CAPPS II, the program to screen airline passengers.
4/15/04
Already waiting for debates
Aides to Sen. John Kerry and President Bush think the presidential race will stay pretty close until Kerry picks a vice-presidential nominee and the debates are over, about a month before the fall election. "It all hinges on what they do, and who screws up, in the final debates," said a Kerry adviser. A top GOP official agreed that the debates should open up the extremely close race. But the GOP thinks that Kerry's pick for a veep could also be a factor, especially if he picks a Midwesterner like Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack or Missouri Rep. Dick Gephardt who might bring a key farm state to the Democratic side. "We're really keeping an eye on that, which is why you see us doing so much in the Midwest," said a Bush campaign strategist.
4/13/04
Wes Clark back in the hunt
Former Democratic presidential candidate Wes Clark is launching a political action committee called Wes PAC, our Suzi Parker learns. The purpose of the PAC is to discuss national security and make it a forefront issue of the Democratic Party in a way that only a former NATO and Army general can. Kathryn Grunden, his ex-campaign assistant, is heading it up. Associates say the effort is timely in light of new polling that Americans are turning their attention to terrorism and national security issues, apparently satisfied that the economic recovery is in full swing. We also hear that Clark is in the process of launching a new Web site. It's going to include info on his PAC and his business ventures with Leadership for America consulting.
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