Washington Whispers
Brothers in Arms Over Iraq?
Democratic Reps. Jack Murtha and David Obey are two gruff veteran appropriators. Murtha oversees defense dollars, and Obey, all spending. Over the years, the old bulls have clashed. But lately, they have found a common enemy: Bush's Iraq policy. And it seems the Obey-Murtha relationship has seen a bit of a détente. "Murtha and I worked more closely than we have in our entire careers in the House," Obey writes in his upcoming memoirs about their work together on a war spending bill this past spring.
A Case of Hope in Presidential Politics
Politics doesn't have to be mean, says GOP prez hopeful Mike Huckabee. Take the friendly voice mail he received from Hillary Clintonabout the touchy subject of religion and politics. In a recent magazine article, Huckabee had said that although he goes to a very expressive church (Baptist), it doesn't mean that those like Clinton who attend a more formal and liturgical church (United Methodist) are less genuine. One memorable thing Hillary Clinton said in the message: "I do have a soft spot for boys from Hope." Like her spouse, Huckabee was born in Hope, Ark.
Incoming: Veterans' Oral Histories
The Veterans History Project at the Library of Congress is getting a big boost from its partnership with PBS and filmmaker Ken Burns, whose 14-hour documentary The War airs in September. The project has 50,000 stories on hand, collected by Boy Scouts, school groups, and a range of volunteers. Visiting Angels, a living-assistance company, for example, decided in May to tape some of its clients. The company has 26 oral histories from veterans in its care and an additional 50 in the works. The goal: 300 by year's end.
Hook, Line, Sinker With Your Fave Pol
August is downtime in the capital. But we hear political fundraising trips to pols' home states are a hot ticket. Republicans have a few slated. Try fly-fishing in Jackson Hole, Wyo., with Sen. Mike Enzi during his "A Day in the Tetons" event for a cool $2,500 a head. Or for $3,000 in political action committee bucks, head to Sen. Bob Bennett's annual "Flies & Drives" event in Park City, Utah. Democratic? Sen. Max Baucus hosts "Camp Baucus" in Big Sky, Mont., for a $5,000 PAC check.
The latest Whispers are at www.usnews.com/whispers
With Paul Bedard, Suzi Parker and Kevin Whitelaw
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