Bush Thinks Texas Big for His Library
Sure Jimmy Carter has his cozy Carter Center promoting democracy, George H. W. Bush has a Texas A&M school of public service named after him, and Bill Clinton runs his foundation dedicated to fighting HIV/AIDS. So how does President Bush top that when he goes home to his presidential library and museum somewhere in Texas? Go bigger. "The Hoover Institution," reveals Bush's chief library scout and former Commerce Secretary Don Evans , "is the model. That's what will differentiate our library." No kidding. Based at Stanford University, Hoover's team includes over 150 big thinkers who have shaped major national policies and still influence Washington.
Evans tells us that the "Bush Institute" won't just take up the president's agenda of advancing compassionate conservatism, fighting terrorism, and expanding democracy: Women's issues, a passion of the first lady, will also get a starring role. "This will be a very active institution," he predicts. And that's not all. In a letter to seven colleges and the city of Arlington, all vying to build the George W. Bush Presidential Library, Evans and Bush brother Marvin say the prez also wants a high-tech library and museum, including an IMAX theater, gift shop, and apartment. It'll be expensive, and the winner will have to raise gobs of cash. But, assures the duo, "the president has many donors, supporters, and friends around the world."
Jailed Reporter's Emily Post Touch
With what's certainly the most interesting thank-you note we've seen, New York Times reporter Judith Miller has brought a real touch of class to her federal lockup. Some of those who've written Inmate No. 45570083 at the Alexandria, Va., jail, are now receiving a gracious form note from Miller. "I would love to answer personally," she says, "but there is no typewriter in jail and my hand is worn out." She goes on: "Jail is certainly not how I imagined spending the summer, but it was the only course my conscience would allow." Miller chose jail over revealing her source in the Valerie Plame affair. She also encourages correspondents: "Write your senators or members of Congress and urge them to support a federal shield law for reporters."
Honoring Pentagon Victims, Take 2
It caused a huge stink in highfalutin journalistic circles when the Washington Post decided to cosponsor the upcoming Pentagon Freedom Walk, an event to honor the Pentagon victims of 9/11. Indeed, it caused such a stink that the paper backed out. But just because the paper is no longer planning to offer free advertising for the event doesn't mean its leadership doesn't support the Pentagon Memorial Fund. We learn that Post Chairman Donnie Graham in June quietly huddled with some deep-pocketed pals for a Madison hotel breakfast fundraiser. "He did it," says an associate, "because he feels very, very strongly that in some way the people who died at the Pentagon . . . have not been sufficiently remembered." Meanwhile, the Washington Times has offered to replace the Post as a cosponsor of the walk.
Gassing About Illegals Back Home
Despite the media coverage of Cindy Sheehan 's war protest outside the gates of the summer White House in Crawford, Texas, lawmakers back home during recess weren't hearing a lot about the war, aides tell us. Instead, the main complaints were about high gas prices and illegal immigrants. "Gas was No. 1 and immigration next," says a top congressional leadership aide. As a result, look for members on both sides to move swiftly in September to address the issues by moving legislation to beef up border security and target price gouging at the pumps.
A Big Assist From An I-Team Legend
It's called "Project Klebnikov, "and it features American and Russian investigative reporters probing the gangland-style murder of the editor of Russia's Forbes . The reporters have lots of leads in the July 2004 slaying of Paul Klebnikov. And project insiders are confident that the killers will be found and prosecuted. Reason: Bob Greene, who headed the only other probe like it, is joining in. The Newsday journalist led the Arizona Project, the 1970s investigation into the car bombing of Arizona Republic reporter Don Bolles. "Bob Greene," Project Klebnikov head Richard Behar tells our Joshua Davidovich, " can invigorate any investigative reporter."
In Saving Ellsworth, A Boost for Thune
Of all the victories for military bases slated for closing last week, the base-closing commission's reprieve for South Dakota's Ellsworth Air Force Base may have the greatest long-term impact. That's because the credit for saving the B-1B base is going to Sen. John Thune, and it's boosting talk of his political future. GOP insiders say to look for Thune to emerge as the leading choice to take over the National Republican Senatorial Committee next year and then to make the short list for vice president in 2008.
Too Humid for the Homeland Boss
Like a lot of Washington big shots, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff loves to run. It shows: He's 51 and rail thin. But he tells us that he really hates jogging in Washington's summer. "The humidity's been so difficult," he says, "I can't run." Fortunately, we talked to him after the weather broke last week. "Gorgeous morning," he cooed at the start of an 8 a.m. breakfast of scrambled eggs. "I ran this morning."
What Did You Expect? Hangman?
She's the hip new education secretary with a daughter in middle school and another in college, so naturally Margaret Spellings has been turned on to the popular math puzzle Sudoku. "Every morning," says an aide, "she religiously checks the Post for the day's game." You may know it: It's the mind-twisting math puzzle where the numbers 1 through 9 are used to fill a grid. It's harder than it sounds. Just last week, on a plane trip, for example, Spellings and a stranger sitting next to her compared notes on their games to solve the puzzle. "I'm an addict," she confesses.
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This story appears in the September 5, 2005 print edition of U.S. News & World Report.