Released yesterday: She wanted the memo giving her unprecedented and virtually unchecked hiring and firing authority over non-civil service DoJ employees (the existence of this memo was revealed only last month by Murray Waas of the National Journal). Moreover, she okayed the memo to be sent to her "outside the system". Why would she ask that? Because she knew that … Read More
The “Bush-Is-A-Liberal” Meme
Two great back-to-back posts by Glenn Greenwald — here and here — about the current "great rightwing fraud to repudiate George W. Bush". His thesis? That the conservative moment, upon (finally) admitting the failures of the Bush Administration, are now trying to prop up the theme that "Bush is not a real conservative" or — amazingly — that "Bush is … Read More
Hi There!
Such an interesting week politically — two NH Democratic debates, another GOP debate, Scooter getting jail time. And I’ve been on the sidelines for all of it. Probably just as well — I can keep my two cents and donate to a worthy cause. Sad news about Steven Gilliard, a popular liberal blogger — he passed away this weekend at … Read More
Who Do I Like
Kevin Drum: I’m probably more genuinely undecided between the major Democratic candidates this cycle than I have been for a long time. All three of them appeal to me in significant ways but none of them have completely sealed the deal. (In Obama’s case, I’d like to see him be a little more willing to make some of the right … Read More
Didn’t We Settle This Before?
In a court filing today, Patrick Fitzgerald provides a summary of Valerie Plame Wilson’s status with the CIA’s Counterproliferation Division at the time she was outed to the press by members of the Bush administration. Guess what? She was covert: While assigned to CPD, Ms. Wilson engaged in temporary duty (TDY) travel overseas on official business. She traveled at least … Read More
28%
Bush has hit a new low in the Harris poll. He’s very close to Nixon territory, whose low (in the Harris poll) was 26%
Bird Poops On President
…just as he’s saying (again) how much he supports Alberto Gonzales. If that’s not a metaphor for something, I don’t know what is. Wonkette snarks: Reached in outer space Thursday afternoon, God said he made a little bird shit on Dubya “to show My disgust with this administration.” After being shit upon, “Bush tried several times to wipe [it] off. … Read More
Goodling Answers Questions
Monica Goodling, a 33-year-old graduate of Pat Robertson’s Regent University with six months of prosecutorial experience — the woman who helped purge prosecutors who failed to be partisan enough — the woman who refused to hire attorneys because they were "too liberal" (a violation of federal law) — is testifying today. She’s weaseled her way to receiving immunity, so one … Read More
31%
President Bush’s approval rating, a record low, in a new American Research Group poll. His approval is 33 percent in a new Rasmussen poll, another record low. But I don’t want to be pessimistic about record lows, so here’s a record high: gas prices. Gas prices hit record levels in the Triad on Tuesday, surging past previous highs set in … Read More
Pressure Getting To McCain?
This isn’t very presidential: On Friday, during a back-room discussion on the new immigration-reform package, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz) started shouting at Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), who dared to disagree with him on the legislation. Apparently, McCain accused Cornyn of raising petty objections, and Cornyn accused McCain of having dropped in without taking part in the negotiations. “F**k you! I … Read More
Is America Ready For A Six Foot Tall First Lady With A Tongue Stud?
There are many many good reasons not to vote for Dennis Kucinich for President in ’08. There are also some bad reasons not to vote for him too, and most of them center around his wife: She’s hot. I mean — she’s really hot. She likes Coldplay She’s British The signature line of her emails is a quote from the … Read More
‘O8: Dems Are Outraising GOP — In The South!
Full story here.
Why The Scandal Matters
N.Y. Times editorial: The Justice Department is no ordinary agency. Its 93 United States attorney offices, scattered across the country, prosecute federal crimes ranging from public corruption to terrorism. These prosecutors have enormous power: they can wiretap people’s homes, seize property and put people in jail for life. They can destroy businesses, and affect the outcomes of elections. It has … Read More
History Repeats Itself
Thirty years ago today: Q: So what in a sense you’re saying is that there are certain situations…where the president can decide that it’s in the best interests of the nation or something, and do something illegal. NIXON: Well, when the president does it, that means that it is not illegal. Q: By definition. NIXON: Exactly, exactly.
Reality-Based GOP?
Hardly: Both former mayor Rudy Giuliani and Rep. Tom Tancredo (R-CO) suggested they would support using the [waterboarding] technique. Specifically asked about waterboarding, Giuliani said he would allow “every method [interrogators] could think of and I would support them in doing it.” Tancredo later added, “I’m looking for Jack Bauer,” referencing the television character who has used torture techniques such … Read More