Washington Whispers
Not a Bad War Book...for a Girl
She has been to Iraq often, so many times that her observations about the war have been solicited by military leaders. She covers the president, who is also a big fan of her war coverage. And she has reported from some of the world's hottest hot spots. But it wasn't until ABC's Martha Raddatz finished her gripping book about the "Black Sunday" battle on April 4, 2004, in Baghdad that she felt the anxiety reporters often have in their gut awaiting the reaction of those they cover. "Yes," says Raddatz, author of The Long Road Home: A Story of War and Family: "I worried about the reaction they would have to my portrayal since it is so intimate and emotional."
Gen. George Casey, the new Army chief of staff who has known Raddatz for years, broke the ice with flowers and a joking note. "Terrific job on the book ... especially for a girl!" And Gen. David Petraeus, the new war boss in Iraq, tells us "it's a great book," and adds: "There is something very special about the membership in the 'brotherhood of the close fight.'" What's more, he says, Raddatz's book about the 24-hour firefight in Sadr City "describes very movingly the sacrifices endured by our families as the 'new greatest generation' fights the Long War." Despite the accolades, no sequel is planned. She will, though, keep returning to Iraq for ABC News. "I can see change or not change," she says. "I can't give it up; I've seen the human face of this."
2008 Shocker: It Will Cost $5 Billion
Forget every story you've read that the 2008 elections will cost a historic $1 billion. We've done the math, and if the spending by all the presidential candidates, House and Senate contenders, political parties, and 527 issue groups is included, the total is at least five times that. "I feel very confident we'll exceed $5 billion," says former Federal Election Commission boss Michael Toner. Most people, he says, add up only what the presidential nominees will spend, and that's where the $1 billion figure comes from. But total it up, and Toner says "whether $5 billion to $6 billion or $5 billion to $7 billion, I don't know." The real shocker: Despite campaign finance reform, there is more money than ever flooding into politics.
Talk of the Town: Giuliani-Thompson
You've probably seen the "Clinton-Obama '08" bumper sticker proclaiming the Democratic dream team. Now on the GOP side we're hearing lots of buzz in political circles and among Republican congressional leaders of a Rudy Giuliani-Fred Thompson ticket. But Thompson isn't keen on riding shotgun yet. "If he gets in," says an ally, "he's running to win the presidency."
Are We Already Operating in Iran?
He says he was only citing press reports, but Jimmy Carter's former national security adviser, Zbigniew Brzezinski, is drawing attention to claims that American military commandos are operating in Iran, possibly as terrorists targeting buses. "There are some legitimate questions that [Iran] may be concerned about, such as: Is it true ... that American commandos are operating in Iran? It's not an idle question," he says, adding: "I don't know, but I've seen allegations to that effect, and I do know that people are getting killed by acts of terrorism, and if it's not us, then who else could it be?" Brzezinski declined to confide his thoughts on the answer.
Arnold as the Future Henry K?
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's play to push up the state's presidential primary to give it a bigger say in the 2008 race, coupled with his aggressive moves to build a strong legacy, has Washington wondering about his next act. Constitutionally barred from being president, the Austrian-born actor-politician has been rumored to be interested in running for the Senate. But allies say he has another thought: secretary of state. And not because of his accent; they say he's internationally famous for his Terminator role and an able diplomat who has many friends in world capitals. And about that accent, says a pal, "he's easier to understand than [former Nixon Secretary of State] Henry Kissinger."
Only in Arkansas: Lawyer McDougal
Hollywood might have to delay work on that movie bio we recently noted on Whitewater figure Susan McDougal. She's trying to change the ending. We've confirmed that the former jailbird wants to be a lawyer. She's applied to the University of Arkansas-Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law. McDougal was pardoned for her conviction on Whitewater-related fraud charges, so that wouldn't block her from joining the bar. But legal experts say those blemishes might run her afoul of the good character requirement.
No Sissy Sauce for Pentagon's Gates
Defense Secretary Bob Gates reveals that he's a strict traditionalist when it comes to barbecue. "I'm pork ribs, period," he tells radio's Laura Ingraham. Gates also says that he hasn't found any barbecue he likes in Washington, certainly nothing like that served in his old haunt, Rudy's, near Texas A&M University, which he ran before replacing Donald Rumsfeld. And don't give him sauce choices. At Rudy's he goes "with the regular sauce, not the 'Sissy Sauce.'"
Even Ambassadors Get Ticketed
There were Cherry Blossom princesses and tables full of sushi and tempura. But when the ambassador of Japan hosted a reception celebrating Washington's Cherry Blossom Festival, he had something else on his mind: dollars and yen. "Let's talk about money," opened Ambassador Ryozo Kato with a joke. The festival, a tradition since Tokyo's mayor donated the original cherry trees to Washington in 1912, is big business locally, he said to laughter. "You can hear the cash registers ringing." And not just for trinkets but often for parking tickets, because there are few legal spots near the trees. Kato says he should know. "Let me assure you, I have written a few checks to the D.C. treasurer."
This story appears in the April 23, 2007 print edition of U.S. News & World Report.