The Note: Justice DeLayed

— -- WASHINGTON, Sep. 29

NEWS SUMMARY
Known to others but not to The Note:
-- Will the O'Connor replacement announcement be tomorrow or next week?

-- How does David Dreier feel about what happened yesterday?

-- Is the Fitzgerald leak investigation about to trump everything else? (And we don't mean the Judy Miller part.)

-- Did someone secretly sing against Tom DeLay?

-- Is Terry Nelson all lawyered up?

-- Does Roland Betts read the Washington Post op-ed page?

-- When was the last time the President met face-to-face with a potential Supreme?

-- Were DeLay's lawyers jake with him doing those two cable interviews last night?

Unknown to all:
-- How big a role will Mr. DeLay play in House leadership decisions as the Gentleman from Texas's 22nd District?

-- Will Mr. DeLay ever return as Leader?

-- Are Katrina off-sets more or less likely after yesterday?

-- Which investigators will drop a shoe first: those looking at Sen./Dr./Leader Frist or those looking at Jack Abramoff, Inc.?

-- Will more than 28 House seats be truly in play in 2006?

Tom DeLay is in Washington, DC today following the normal floor legislative schedule. Watch the body language all around.

Senators have been asked by Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) to assemble at their desks at 11:30 am ET to vote to confirm John Roberts to be the seventeenth Chief Justice of the United States. Shortly thereafter, the Republican leadership will come to the Senate Gallery Studio to comment on the expected confirmation. No announcement yet from the White House on an anticipated swearing-in ceremony, but we predict something Casa Blanca-ish pre-Oprah.

Justice Sandra Day O'Connor will sign books at the Willard Hotel from 5:00-7:00 pm ET as part of the "Power in Prose" book signing series. There is no camera coverage of the event. Stakeouts galore, we presume.

Sen. Hillary Clinton will join DNC Chairman Howard Dean at the Mayflower Hotel at 12:30 pm ET for the DNC's women's leadership forum luncheon.

RNC Chairman Ken Mehlman is doing closed political events in the Garden State.

The Senate Armed Services Committee will meet at 9:30 am ET in SD-106 to hear from Secretary Rumsfeld and Gens. Myers, Abizaid, and Casey as they testify on US military strategy in Iraq. The House Armed Services Committee will hear from the military brass in Rayburn 2118 at 2:00 pm ET.

In a Senate Floor speech today, Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI) plans to argue that the President's policies in Iraq are "breaking the United States Army." He will also say that "too often, too many" of his colleagues are "reluctant to challenge the Administration's policies in Iraq for fear that anything other than staying the course set by the President will somehow appear weak."

Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee delivers luncheon remarks at the Conference on the Wellness Council of Iowa.

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson holds a 3:00 pm ET press conference in the Governor's Cabinet Room in Santa Fe, NM to discuss details on the price gouging legislation he will work with legislators to pass during next week's special session.

Former President Bill Clinton joins Sen. Jon Corzine for a 5:00 pm ET "40 Days to Victory Rally" at Kean University in Union, NJ.

To help launch Generation Engage's Politics through Art Initiative, Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-NE) and Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-CA) will speak at 6:30 pm ET at the Ralph Lauren store in Georgetown. Generation Engage is a non-partisan group run by Adrian Talbott that is dedicated to engaging young Americans, particularly those without college experience, in the evolving political debate.

DeLay: news of day:
The New York Times' overview: LINK

The Washington Post's R. Jeffrey Smith focuses on the ways in which the DeLay indictment "shook the GOP establishment and posed new problems for the party as it heads into the midterm elections next year." LINK

The Los Angeles Times. LINK

Mark Leibovich's Washington Post story captures some excellent color from the colorful DeLay and spokesguy Madden. LINK

"GOP leaders echoed DeLay after meeting in a private session that a person familiar with it described as emotional for the Texan," according to the New York Daily News. LINK

The Hill says David Drier was at the top of the list to replace DeLay, until calls from conservative activists "flooded the Speaker's office" protesting Drier's selection. LINK

The AP wraps the charges against Delay, Noting the "polite support" offered by fellow Republicans and the White House. LINK

DeLay: the legal case:
Anne Kornblut of the New York Times traces the money trail, Noting Terry Nelson's involvement and by extension getting President Bush's name into her lede. LINK

When ABC News attempted to reach Mr. Nelson yesterday, we were referred to the Republican National Committee. RNC Communications Director Brian Jones told ABC News, "It is inappropriate for the RNC to comment on these ongoing legal matters."

Michael Kranish of the Boston Globe is also on the money trail. LINK

The Los Angeles Times on the concept of state laws banning corporate campaign contributions. LINK

The Wall Street Journal's editorial board slips in this: "Mr. Earle had indicted three other DeLay associates in the same case in September 2004, just six weeks before the last election. Followers of the case have speculated that, as he saw his legal bills mount, one of those three may have decided to testify against Mr. DeLay."

Republican campaign finance attorney Jan Baran talks with the Washington Times' Jerry Seper and points out the difficulty in proving the case made against Delay. LINK

DeLay's legal fund will see a strong amount of donations in the next few days, reports the Houston Chronicle. A trustee for DeLay's legal fund, Brent Perry expects over $300,000 in contributions this quarter. In the past top congressional donations have come from Rep. Roy Blunt, Fmr Rep. Billy Tauzin (LA), and Rep. Henry Bonilla (TX) totaling $15,000. <LINK

Mary Flood of the Houston Chronicle focuses on a "smoking gun" theory. "'I think someone has to have rolled over on DeLay'" said Houston lawyer David Berg. LINK

The New York Times lede-all also makes reference to this possibility.

DeLay: blind and other quotes:
"It may be a witch hunt, but it is a huge problem. . . He will probably be exonerated in the long term, but that is a long time." -- from Rep. Zach Wamp (R-TN) in the New York Times. LINK

"When you pile it on top of everything else - Iraq, Katrina, gas prices - it's pretty grim. We're still waiting for some sign of good news, something our candidates can run on. This isn't it. . . The Democrats will make the case that Republicans are too busy dealing with their own ethical issues to care about the problems facing the country. And guess what? That charge worked pretty well for us in '92 and '94." -- from "one Republican strategist, who asked not to be identified because of his work with Republicans on Capitol Hill" in the New York Times LINK

"[T]he growing number of ethics allegations in the party's ranks makes it more likely that moderate or vulnerable Republicans will try to demonstrate their independence from Republican leaders and President Bush" -- "several Republican lobbyists" in the Wall Street Journal.

"It's hard to spin this as anything other than another problem dropped on the pile of troubles our side faces now. Bad news tends to come in bunches, and we've had a bunch lately" -- GOP pollster Whit Ayres in the Los Angeles Times.

"People are upset. It's not a good day for the home team" -- Rep. Steven C. LaTourette (R-Ohio) in the Los Angeles Times.

"Tom skates right up to the line. If you play on that edge, you make yourself the test case" -- "one GOP lobbyist who works closely with the congressional leadership" in the Los Angeles Times.

"Ronnie Earle didn't indict him. The grand jury indicted him" -- from grand jury foreman William Gibson, per the AP.

"If this issue is not resolved by January, we need to have I think a more permanent resolution. . . once we get beyond January, we may need to actually have an election." -- from Rep. Dave Weldon (R-FL) in the Boston Globe LINK

"The problem with the issue of corruption is the opposition party doesn't have to have anything to say. All you've got to be is the other party, so it worries me," -- from former Rep. Vin Weber (R-MN) in the Washington Post LINK

"I think it's unfortunate for everybody, particularly for Tom, and I hope there's nothing to it. . . we'll just have to play it out and see." -- from former Ethics Committee Chairman Joel Hefley (R-CO) in the New York Times LINK

"They're nervous about 2006 and getting pulled down by DeLay, even losing the majority." -- from a "GOP activist with close ties to socially conservative lawmakers" in The Hill. "Tom will still be an actor. People want his input." -- from "one knowledgeable GOP source" in The Hill. "We're just going to let the press run with this. Usually we have trouble getting the press to cover issues of corruption in Congress. In this case, that's not a problem." -- from a "Democratic aide" in The Hill. "The problem is that DeLay is out, so it is no longer an issue in '06." -- former Democratic Whip Tony Coehlo.

DeLay: news analysis:
The Washington Post's Dan Balz writes that DeLay's indictment represented "one of the most significant blows" the GOP "has suffered in a year replete with problems." LINK

The Wall Street Journal ed board says that DeLay was already distracted and weakened before yesterday and says he brought some of this on himself (and/but they also criticize Mr. Earle).

Robin Toner of the New York Times offers up a front-page news analysis that will make Democratic hearts soar as she runs through all of the GOP troubles with only a passing mention of the lack of a clear, positive, programmatic agenda coming out of the Democratic Party. LINK

The Los Angeles Times' Hook and Reynolds suggest the GOP will miss DeLay's enforcement strengths. LINK

Chuck Lindell reports in the Austin-American Statesman that some political scientists think fallout from Delay's indictment could jeopardize his fundraising power and political clout, regardless of whether he is convicted. LINK

DeLay: the successor:
In a piece looking at how conservatives foiled the attempt to install Dreier as temporary leader, the Washington Post's Murray and VandeHei write that Blunt, even more than DeLay, has "created a formal alliance with K Street lobbyists, empowering corporate representatives and trade association executives to assist the House leadership in counting votes and negotiating amendments to bring holdouts into the fold." LINK

The Los Angeles Times' Fiore (and Co.) looks at why David Dreier didn't get the Leader's job, including some pretty rough on-the-record quotes from Congressman Kingston ("Will Mr. Dreier be pro-choice? Will he advance the conservative agenda?"). LINK

The John Harwood Blunt profile in the Wall Street Journal mentions the Phillip Morris flap at the end.

The AP's David Espo reports: "Even as DeLay professed his innocence and his lawyers said they hoped to avoid having him handcuffed, fingerprinted and photographed, potential for fresh controversy surfaced." LINK

"Records on file with the Federal Election Commission show that Blunt's political action committee has paid roughly $88,000 in fees since 2003 to a consultant facing indictment in Texas in the same case as DeLay."

"Keri Ann Hayes, executive director of the Rely on Your Beliefs Fund, said officials of the organization have not discussed whether to end the relationship with the consultant, Jim Ellis, in light of his indictment."

Roll Call's Ben Pershing reports that at Wednesday's weekly Republican Study Committee meeting, RSC Chairman Mike Pence (R-IN) and a handful of other lawmakers said they would oppose Dreier when he came up for a vote in Conference. Rep. Zach Wamp (R-TN), according to sources, suggested that Pence should be Majority Leader.

"Though Mr. Blunt has been a staunch defender of Mr. DeLay, Republicans say that the two are not especially close, and that relations were strained after Mr. Blunt installed his own pick - Representative Eric Cantor, Republican of Virginia - as chief deputy whip, over several close allies of Mr. DeLay," writes the New York Times' Sheryl Gay Stolberg in her "man in the news" piece on the quite, behind-the-scenes, Ashcroft protégé Roy Blunt. LINK

The AP writes up Roy Blunt's low-key approach, while detailing his own recent ethics run-ins. LINK

DeLay: the prosecutor:
The New York Times profiles Travis County DA Ronnie Earle, who is not unaccustomed to political criticism. LINK

The Washington Post's Charles Babington somewhat rebuts DeLay's assertion that the indictment was the work of an unabashed partisan zealot by saying that Ronnie Earle's record is "complex and mixed, including a failed bid to convict a big-name Republican and successful prosecutions of many Democrats, big and small." LINK

The Los Angeles Times' Gold says, "Earle has taken pains to project a squeaky-clean image, at one point even accusing himself of a misdemeanor when he discovered that his campaign finance reports had been filed late." LINK

The Wall Street Journal points out that Earle has his own website ( www.ronnieearle.com) and once wanted to be a journalist or a poet.

The Austin American Statesman looks at the Texas political and legal history between Ronnie Earle and state Republican figures. LINK

DeLay: commentary and editorials:
In his New York Times op-ed column, David Brooks writes of DeLay's legacy of partisanship and bemoans "loyalty to the team" at all costs.

"Yesterday the DeLay Era ended. DeLay fell victim to his willingness to push right up against the campaign finance laws for the good of the team. Remember, DeLay didn't do anything for personal enrichment. If he committed a crime, he did it for the sake of the team."

The Washington Post ed board thinks DeLay did an end-run around the law but it is not so sure that it was an illegal end-run. LINK

The Los Angeles Times ed board does not HEART Tom DeLay. LINK

USA Today's editorial board looks forward to 2006. "DeLay and the others are entitled to the presumption of innocence. But, cumulatively, the allegations pose a threat to Republicans in next year's congressional elections. If they can't clean up their act, the voters could conclude it's again time for a change. LINK

Peter Canellos of the Boston Globe opines that President Bush needs the support of Tom DeLay now more than ever, but he won't be around to give it. Canellos writes, "To some conservatives, the Republican Congress is taking on characteristics of the Democratic Congress it replaced in 1994. It's too addicted to spending programs and tinged by the kind of corruption that comes with entrenched power." LINK

While Delay may come through unscathed in the end, "that won't prevent the mainstream media and partisan Democrats from teaming up to create a potent anti-Republican storyline that has a very real chance of connecting with voters in the year leading up to the 2006 midterm elections," according to the New York Post's John Podhoretz. LINK

More: "What makes this an especially dangerous time for Republicans is that the party's troubles — beginning with the president's falling poll numbers — have come early enough in the 2006 campaign cycle that Democrats might be able to convince a great many decent candidates. Good recruitment was crucial to GOP success in 1994."

DeLay: how it's playing in Peoria:
The Sioux City Journal's Charlotte Eby writes that Iowa Democrats are colllectively staring down U.S. Representative (and Republican gubernatorial candidate) Jim Nussle in an effort to see that he doesn't delay in returning to DeLay's ARMPAC the $15,000 he accepted for past campaigns. LINK

The State compiles a list of South Carolina politicians who have benefited from DeLay's PAC. U.S Senator Lindsey Graham and Jim DeMint have both accepted donations. LINK

In Connecticut, three Republican members -- Johnson, Shays and Simmons -- all chose to comment. LINK

Arizona House Democrats call the indictment a boon for 2006 election. LINK

Colorado Republicans stand by their man, the Rocky Mountain News reports. LINK

Available in the hard copy only, the Manchester Union Leader reports that Rep. Jeb Bradley (R-NH) will return $15,000 he has received from Tom DeLay's PAC.

The O'Connor seat:
The New York Daily News centers speculation for O'Connor's seat on Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and Judge Priscilla Owen. LINK

"One source with GOP ties said Bush recently met privately with Owen and two other prominent women: Michigan Supreme Court Justice Maura Corrigan and Cincinnati-based Federal Appeals Court Judge Alice Batchelder," writes James Gordon Meek.

Senate Judiciary Committee member Lindsey Graham says Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Karen Williams is being "seriously considered" for the open seat reports Wendy Jeffcoat of South Carolina's The Times and Democrat. LINK

NBC's Tim Russert told Katie Couric on "Today" this morning that he thinks the President will name a nominee sooner rather than later and that the pick will shift the current political debate away from the Democratically preferred "culture of corruption" to a discussion about morals and values.

The New York Times' Bumiller expects an announcement soon and plays up the Harriet Miers buzz. Other Bumiller mentions: Gonzales, Thompson, and Williams. Priscilla Owen and Janice Rogers Brown are in her next tier down. LINK

David Jackson and Allen Pusey of the Dallas Morning News suggest the President's next nominee can be announced as early as today and the duo leans heavily into the female candidate CW. LINK

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg again calls for another woman on the court, but "not any woman," reports the Winston-Salem Journal. LINK

Jan Crawford Greenburg reports in the Chicago Tribune that President Bush has "about a half-dozen" names on his list of possible O'Connor replacements, among them: Alberto Gonzales, Harriet Miers, Larry Thompson, and federal appeals court judges Karen Williams of South Carolina and Priscilla Owens of Texas. LINK

The Wall Street Journal's Jeanne Cummings writes on the President's options blah blah blah.

John Roberts for Chief Justice:
Mr. Harkin votes "no." LINK

Bush agenda:
President Bush "needs a friend close enough to tell him that his presidency is failing -- and wise enough to describe what Bush must do to salvage it," writes Jim Hoagland in his Washington Post op-ed. LINK

Frist and HCA:
Floyd Norris' New York Times "Marketplace" column has this headline: "What did Bill Frist know and how?"

"Mr. Frist has denied having inside information. To prove he had such information, investigators would have to either find a document, such as an e-mail message, or obtain testimony from the person who gave him that information," writes Norris before he goes on to explain the sometimes trickier public burden for politicians.

The column is part of the Times Select series, so we are unable to provide a link for you, but it is well worth your money to pick up a hard copy to see a focused Amy Call briefing the Sen./Dr./Leader.

Following on a Bloomberg report, the Wall Street Journal's Solmon reports that the SEC's non-recused commissioners voted to upgrade the probe into Frist and company insiders who sold HCA stock, which suggests subpoenas could start to fly.

Hurricanes: Big Casino budget politics:
Republican Senate Finance Chair Grassley of Iowa is at meta-war with the White House over health care aide for hurricane survivors, and it could have large budget implications. Read all about it -- and a hearing room gasp -- in the Los Angeles Times. LINK

The Washington Post's Jonathan Weisman reports that President Bush has found himself "at odds" with members of his own party over how best to deliver health care to impoverished hurricane victims." LINK

Bob Novak writes about the McCain-led attempts of fiscal conservatives in the Senate to fight back against the Grassleys of the world. LINK

Brody Mullins in the Wall Street Journal on B1 about how lobbyists -- including Barbour, Griffith -- work for Katrina gold, but try not to seem unseemly.

Dean's Democrats:
Howard Fineman's online column explores some of the reasons the Democrats appear unable to fully capitalize on the President's current political problems. LINK

2008:
One-name wonders "Angelina, Condoleezza and Hillary combined their considerable star power Wednesday night to cast a spotlight on the international effort to fight HIV and AIDS," per the AP. LINK

2008: Republicans:
In a late afternoon press release, Gov. Pataki made clear that the controversial Freedom Center will not be housed at Ground Zero. The New York Times' David Dunlap has more. LINK

"Gov. George Pataki said Wednesday he has joined the Governors' Ethanol Coalition, a bipartisan organization to promote the use of ethanol-based fuels globally," reports the Albany Business Review. LINK

David Rogers, churning out Wall Street Journal copy, says that John McCain has gained Rep. Murtha as an ally against the White House in his prisoner treatment fight.

2008: Democrats:
In Sunday's New York Times Magazine, Matt Bai will spend several pages arguing that Sen. Hillary Clinton's nascent '08 bid is imperiled because she doesn't understand the ways in which the net roots of the Democratic Party reject the type of conciliatory politics that she has been practicing.

". . . The 'Net roots' can be overstated. And yet, the blogosphere is bound to be an important organizing force in 2008, and some other candidate will almost certainly rise to fill that space that Dean once occupied. If nothing else, this would make it harder for Hillary Clinton, the heir to her husband's legacy, to run the unity campaign her advisers envision."

Bai concludes by arguing, however, that the preachiness and "astonishing self-certainty" that flows from Clinton's Republican and Methodist upbringing might eventually win over the liberal bloggers because "the party's new forces respect conviction and because they have their own skepticism about the aging pantheon of interest-group leaders that have long controlled the direction of the Democratic Party."

All in all, one of the most fair and accurate pieces about Senator Clinton we have seen in awhile, although we suspect that Al From will be surprised to read that Mandy Grunwald has "long standing ties to the DLC" since she's never done any work for them.

UNC's Daily Tar Heel has details on how John Edwards's "two Americas" mantra has translated to a full-time (at least for now) career commitment for the former senator from North Carolina. LINK

Iowa:
David Yepsen mulls over the dilemma of the Iowa Democrat (at least, if he/she is running for governor): how to adequately and fairly address their homestate's (yet unmet) needs without squashing fellow Democrat Gov. Tom Vilsack's shot at a 2008 presidential bid. LINK

New Hampshire:
In today's Granite Status, John DiStaso mentions the Michigan delegation's letter to Democratic presidential candidates, which asserts a no-favoritism-to-one-state-over-another attitude in regards to 2008 primary status. However, another letter got to some candidates first. "John Edwards, along with all the other '04 candidates (including current DNC chair Howard Dean) except Al Sharpton, signed a letter shortly before the last primary promising to commit to keep New Hampshire first." New Mexico's Bill Richardson also already made a June promise that New Hampshire will be first in his (political primary) life. LINK

The politics of Iraq:
Gen. George Casey backed away from talk of a substantial drawdown of U.S. forces in Iraq by next spring, as the Administration begins another public counteroffensive to win over U.S. hearts and minds.

"'Until we're done with this political process here with the referendum and the elections in December, I think it's too soon to tell,' Casey said."LINK

Karen Hughes continued to get an earful on Iraq as she wrapped up her Middle East tour yesterday. LINK

The Nation's Newspaper says Hughes' sales pitch fell flat. LINK

Politics of national security:
House Intelligence Committee Chairman Hoekstra (R-MI) and other Republican members are concerned that the Department of Defense is conducting some intelligence operations outside of DNI Negroponte's watch, reports the New York Times. LINK

Bush warns that more violence will come in Iraq as 68 Democrats join an "Out of Iraq" caucus, the Washington Post's Robin Wright reports. LINK

A human rights activist in Turkey felt insulted by Karen Hughes' suggestion that peace could be imposed through war, the Washington Post's Glenn Kessler reports. LINK

2004: Kerry-Edwards, the movie:
The cinematic Lloyd Grove has already called Steve Rosenbaum's new access-aided "Inside the Bubble" "a potentially devastating behind-the-scenes look at the Massachusetts senator's failed presidential campaign."

And a press release claims the movie "turns a harsh but deeply revealing mirror on the campaign . . . a disorganized, contentious, self-absorbed team that thought they could win by 'not making mistakes,' and keeping their candidate in the public eye without clarifying a position on anything."

The film premieres tonight at 6pm as a Special Screening at the New York Television Festival www.NYTVF.com.

The Note had its own "special screening" this week (using retro analogue technology!!!), and provides this review:

On the upside, there are almost no boring scenes in this film, and even political reporters and most Note readers will see things they have never seen -- stuff such as inside the staff van (surprise: they are on their mobile phones and BlackBerries a LOT, and everyone is tired).

With all due respect to Ben Smith, the scenes involving John Kerry are actually quite revealing. There's one involving the Boston Globe, C-SPAN, and the Senator's legislative record that still has us reeling.

On the downside, watching the film is going to subject you to a lot of ungainly behavior.

And we predict right now that the Bush campaign staff and high command -- in watching said behavior and seeing the spartan make up of the Kerry campaign's election night boiler room -- are going to wonder how they ended up in such a close race.

The things you will likely find most memorable:

Jim Loftus and David Morehouse show as much maturity as (but less cuteness than) Morehouse's adorable son. And Loftus' use of profanity is mind-bogglingly repetitive --particularly a certain Anglo-Saxon verb (over and over and over, and sometimes as a noun, an adjective, or a gerund).

Joe Biden using a curse word with the press, while he behaves just the way Norm likes it.

Glen Johnson being stymied by the candidate.

An awesome Hillary Clinton eye-roll in the direction of Terry McAuliffe at the St. Louis debate. Marty Slutsky LINK at the walk-through with Kerry is pure poetry.

Mark Mellman on camera giving the results of the insta-poll after the final debate is enticing. Mike McCurry has an extended cameo as Mike McCurry.

Mary and James make an appearance via a Kerry campaign bus screening of "The War Room." John Sasso is tough.

Watching John Glenn and Bruce Springsteen hug is delightful.

2005:
The New York Times' Diane Cardwell Notes Fernando Ferrer's second consecutive day on the defensive on the campaign trail. At issue Wednesday was whether or not Ferrer violated city rules by appearing at a public school within 60 days of an election. LINK

"Just a day after a dust-up with his opponent, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, over whether Mr. Ferrer had falsified his school history in a log entry on his Web site, Mr. Ferrer found himself in another school-related controversy at a time when he is increasingly trying to deflate the mayor's record on education."

"The proximity of the two developments, coupled with an opponent with the resources and a terrier-like willingness to exploit any vulnerability, threatens to stall the momentum with which Mr. Ferrer emerged from the Democratic primary this month, when Mr. Bloomberg appeared to be the one on the defensive."

The New York Post gives Fernando Ferrer "a 2nd 'F'" for speaking in a Queens high school yesterday. City rules restrict candidates from campaigning in schools within 60 days of an election. LINK

Former President Clinton makes an appearance today with Sen. Jon Corzine (D-NJ) to boost his gubernatorial campaign. LINK

2006:
New York Senate challenger Jeanine Pirro hints that her campaign war chest may not be overflowing yet. LINK

The New York Daily News has it too: LINK

It is this colloquy at the end of Deborah Solomon's "Questions for William Weld" column (set to run in the upcoming issue of the New York Times Magazine) that indicates Gov. Weld may not yet be fully prepared to meet the New York political press corps.

Q: "It is true that Republicans have traditionally been anti-spending, but can we trust them in the future? The current administration has pushed us into unprecedented debt."

WELD: "Well, 49 out of 50 states have to have a balanced budget. There is only one that doesn't. And that's Vermont."

Q: "What does that have to do with the whopping debt incurred by the Bush administration?"

WELD: "I am not running for president. I am running for governor."

However, it is his excitement to make use of all four of his Empire State homes while on the campaign trail and his needling Eliot Spitzer's reliance on plea bargains that prove most entertaining.

The Schwarzenegger Era:
Governor Schwarzenegger's "ultra-cautious" approach to campaigning is being questioned by Republicans and cited by critics as proof that he is "flailing" writes the San Francisco Chronicle's Carla Marinucci. LINK

Lynda Gledhill of the San Francisco Chronicle says recent polls show Governor Schwarzenegger struggling with approval ratings, which makes his push on California's upcoming special election especially difficult. LINK

Politics:
Rudolph Bush reports in the Chicago Tribune that prosecutors opened their case against former Illinois Governor George Ryan yesterday by depicting Ryan as a corrupt official who worked in the interest of a "chosen few" while he was Illinois' Secretary of State. Ryan and an associate face 22 counts of corruption. LINK