The Note
W A S H I N G T O N, Nov. 20—
, 2003 -- Today's Schedule (all times Eastern):
—4:45 am: President Bush lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior, London—6:00 am: President Bush meets with Prime Minister Tony Blair, London—7:15 am: President Bush and Prime Minister Blair hold a press conference, London—8:00 am: Sen. John Kerry attends a breakfast at the Silver Slipper Restaurant, Tallahassee, Fla.—8:45 am: Sen. John Edwards discusses health care at Meharry Medical College, Nashville—9:25 am: President Bush takes part in a roundtable on HIV and AIDS, London—9:30 am: Senate convenes for legislative business—10:00 am: House convenes for legislative business—11:15 am: Ambassador Carol Moseley Braun visits Cat's Barbershop, Columbia, S.C.—12:30 pm: Ambassador Moseley Braun speaks at the University of South Carolina Law School, Columbia, S.C.—2:00 pm: Gov. Howard Dean holds a town hall meeting, Henniker, N.H.—2:30 pm: Gen. Wesley Clark speaks to the Council on Foreign Relations, New York City—2:30 pm: Ambassador Moseley Braun speaks at Wilkenson High School, Orangeburg, S.C.—3:00 pm: President Bush attends a dinner at Winfield House, London—3:00 pm: Sen. Joe Lieberman speaks to the Commonwealth Club, Palo Alto, Calif.—4:00 pm: Ambassador Moseley Braun speaks at Voorhees College, Denmark, S.C.—4:30 pm: Gen. Clark tapes an appearance on The Late Show with David Letterman, New York City—4:45 pm: Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld gives a closed briefing to House members, Capitol Hill—7:00 pm: Gov. Dean attends a youth forum at St. Anselm College, Manchester, N.H. Rep. Kucinich will participate via phone from Washington, D.C.—7:30 pm: Gov. Dean attends a town hall meeting at Salem High School, Salem, N.H.—8:00 pm: Sen. Kerry attends a Kerry Core campaign event, D.C.
NEWS SUMMARY
Cable TV and the morning shows might be wacko for Jacko, and the holidays might be fast approaching, but keep your eye on Medicare, more Dean attacks, major terrorist attacks, mojo of the Bush-Cheney-Evans economy, and measuring of public opinion by the Los Angeles Times.
On Medicare:
The Washington Post 's Broder and Goldstein look at the GOP courtship of the AARP, including some hands-on POTUS involvement. LINK
While Speaker Newt gives a still-on-track Medicare bill a push LINK, the Wall Street Journal ed board comes out hard against the final deal: "Republicans are offering the certainty of trillions in new entitlements in return for the mere promise of future reform, and that's too expensive a gamble for principled conservatives to support."
Across the page, Al Hunt bashes Democratic "defector" Max Baucus, in whom he sees the very traits that has made him an attractive target for Bush White House legislative strategists from the get-go.
However the legislative process ends, Hunt's vitriol is representative of the Left's feeling of unraveling over the president's push to neutralize seniors' health care in the polling, just as he has done with education.
On Dean:
With the Democratic race defined by who can take Dean down and how, Joe Lieberman and Wes Clark, who favor more government regulation of business, assail Howard Dean for favoring more governmental regulation of business. LINK
John DiStaso has another must-read Granite Status in which he transcribes the views of a number of AARP members who left Tuesday's Bedford forum with the unique insight that Howard Dean seems smug. LINK
November and December and January are going to be a lot about Trippi/Enright/Carson telling us about how the actions of the other campaigns are regrettable, sad, desperate, Beltwayish, and unfortunate, even as Dr. Dean continues his own "contrasts" on the "issues" with his rivals, which, in Burlington, are considered neither regrettable nor sad.
On the 43 economy (read it slow and it rhymes):
Robert Samuelson writes very very bullishly about the 2003/2004 economy and the bennys that will give the CREEP. LINK
This is must-read matter, and not just for Rob Nichols.
On the polling:
Addicts will read every word of both long Los Angeles Times national poll write-ups, although the results are largely in line with what other reputable national polls have found of late about the 50-50 nation, the sources of the president's popularity, the wrong tracking, and the state of the Democratic nomination fight.
Ron Brownstein and Susan Pincus do the honors: LINK and LINK
And, we are happy to announce that Wes Clark will join the other eight leading Democratic presidential candidates on the campus of the University of New Hampshire on Dec. 9 at 7 pm ET for a debate.
Clark's team was able to move a Gotham fundraiser to the next night, so he could keep his perfect attendance record. ABC News' Ted Koppel and WMUR's Scott Spradling will question the candidates.
As for us, today is the last Note until Dec. 1, when we return tan, rested, and semi-ready.
As we suspected/predicted, many of you contacted us to express your views on our going turkey fishing, but our favorite rejoinder came from DeanforAmerica, who wrote:
Dear People at The Note:
The Dean campaign was at first distressed to learn that The Note will not publish again until December 1. After all what's the purpose of doing anything if it won't be Noted?
However, after some thought we've decided to join The Note and take some time off the campaign trail. We will be putting all of our efforts into preparing our People Powered Howard themed float for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. The float will feature bloggers from around the country as well as a lip sync performance of "We Can" by the Dean campaign's very own telephone hold singer, Joanne.
Our down time will give the People Powered Howard dancers time to perfect their "You've Got the Power" dance routine they will perform live on camera when the float stops in front of Macy's. (We really hope Matt and Katie like it!)
So to The Note, we say thank you for giving us the excuse to slow down and shift gears. We hope you enjoy your banana stuffing as much as we're going to enjoy our Jell-O and mini marshmallow mold. And, of course, we hope you tune in to the parade (sorry it's the wrong network) and have a People Powered Thanksgiving!
Sent via BlackBerry — a service from AT&T Wireless.
President Bush continues on in London today.
Gov. Dean campaigns in New Hampshire.
Senator Kerry is in Florida and D.C.
Rep. Gephardt has no public events today.
Gen. Clark delivers a foreign policy address — that the campaign bills as "major" — at the Council on Foreign Relations and holds a fundraiser in New York City.
Senator Edwards campaigns in Tennessee.
Senator Lieberman is in California.
Rep. Kucinich has no public events.
Rev. Sharpton campaigns in South Carolina.
Ambassador Moseley Braun campaigns in South Carolina.
While The Note spends Monday through Wednesday of next week away — Thursday eating, and Friday sleeping — there really won't be a whole lot going on in the world of politics — which is fine by us.
On Monday, there will be a Democratic presidential candidates debate in Des Moines. The candidates will be making their usual stops in Iowa and New Hampshire, with other runs expected in the mix too. We expect them to all eat well, though we're curious about what Congressman Kucinich fills up on for T-Day. Tofurkey?
Big Casino budget politics: Medicare:
The Wall Street Journal 's Laurie McGinley reports that AARP's chief is under fire from disgruntled Democrats and seniors over the group's endorsement of the Medicare bill. A group of AARP members burned their membership cares outside the organization's Washington, D.C. headquarters on Wednesday, and its president, William Novelli, is being vilified by the likes of Senate Miniority Leader Tom Daschle and accused of being a closet Republican who sold seniors out.
And it's getting more personal.
"Increasingly, the attacks on Mr. Novelli aren't about what is in the bill. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of California Wednesday criticized Mr. Novelli for writing the foreword to an April 2003 book on health care by Former Speaker Newt Gingrich, who in 1995 tried to slash future Medicare spending. Democrats also have been circulating e-mails noting that Mr. Novelli in 1972 worked on the re-election campaign of President Nixon."
As the director of AARP who pushed his organization to support the Medicare legislation, Novelli is the man of the hour. The Los Angeles Times' Elizabeth Shogren has the story. LINK
The New York Times ' Robert Pear and Robin Toner report "Democratic leaders mounted a furious new attack" on the Medicare measure, "assailing the endorsement by AARP on Monday as a betrayal of the organization's members and as a capitulation to the Republicans." Pear Notes Newt's cameo at a closed-door House GOP caucus. And we Note Newt's Norquist cameo at the Wednesday Session. Trying to prevent those wayward-wishing true believers from straying from the leadership's straight and narrow is no easy job! LINK
Speaking of Medicare and the AARP, The Note has confirmed that Democratic money man and famed Austin admaker Roy Spence's firm GSD&M is producing the AARP spot with the help of production company HKM. Spence, a longtime FOB (remember that term? ah, how long ago it all seems … ), is a Lieberman backer this time around — though his wife hosted a fundraiser for The General not so long ago.
The San Francisco Chronicle reports Senator Feinstein's likely "yes" vote. LINK
Al Hunt blasts Senator Max Baucus' lack of skills and backbone in setting the stage for a "fraudulent" Medicare bill. Baucus has the clout to have sent the measure back for retooling, but caved in the end. Through the lens of Medicare, Hunt flames Baucus' whole career.
Don't miss Newt Gingrich's Wall Street Journal op-ed urging conservatives to get on board the Medicare train in what amounts to an open letter saying that this may be the most important vote in any conservative's career.
Be sure to read to the end:
"Obstructionist conservatives can always find reasons to vote no, but that path leads right back into the minority and it would be a minority status they would deserve."
The Wall Street Journal ed board argues that the GOP's Medicare bill trades certain spending for speculative reform.
The Union-Leader's editorial board says "just say no" to the Medicare bill. LINK
As Republicans and Democrats wrangle over the Medicare bill, Bob Novak says it may just cut both ways, with the new bill's ''means testing'' turning out to be a tax increase for upper income senior Americans. LINK
The Washington Post 's Helen Dewar writes up Gingrich's efforts to allay conservative Republicans' fears that the Medicare bill does not tilt enough toward the private sector. LINK
David Broder and Amy Goldstein team up to Note that the AARP endorsed the Medicare bill after years of White House and Republican courtship. LINK
The Boston Globe 's ed board thinks that older Americans deserve a Medicare drug benefit, but not at the expense of the integrity of the program. LINK
James Kuhnhenn explains why "nearly a third" of the money going into the new Medicare bill is earmarked for "employers, private insurers, and health care providers." LINK
Democrats are lashing out at AARP, claiming the seniors group is too close to insurance companies and Republicans, according to the AP's Mark Sherman. L:INK
Proponents of the Medicare bill are hoping that $25 billion earmarked for rural areas will make the bill hard to pass up, writes the Washington Times ' Amy Fagan. LINK
David Lambro on the Medicare bill conflicts: LINK
ABC News Vote 2004: Bush-Cheney re-elect:
Bush-Cheney '04 Campaign Manager Ken Mehlman will be a featured speaker this weekend at the annual conference of the Republican Governors Association in Boca Raton, Fla. First Brother Jeb Bush will be the event's host.
The Note offers you an exclusive preview of Mehlman's second public speech as campaign manager:
"Despite the close divisions of 2000, the Presidency of George W. Bush has been transformational — it has transformed our nation, our world, and our party …
"Our President's strong and compassionate leadership expanded our party's base and, at the same time, attracted new faces and voices to the GOP. While some argue a zero sum choice between motivating your base and reaching out to ticket splitters, George W. Bush Republicans are doing both … "
"We are not the only ones who understand the transformative power of this President. Our friends leading the Democrat Party understand this as well and their will to political power knows few limits. This election will be very tough and hard-fought. It could be as close as 2000. The last 3 Presidential elections were close for a reason: the country is very competitive politically. Today, this is a country where national elections are not decided in margins of 20 points, rather, they are decided by 4 or 5 points."
A new Los Angeles Times poll finds that shows that "Americans remain split over Bush along many of the same lines of gender, race and cultural values that separated the country during his razor-thin victory over Democrat Al Gore in 2000."
Ron Brownstein looks at two important factors to come out of the poll that could impact President Bush's re-election chances:
"On one axis, voters appear to be weighing generally positive assessments of his personal characteristics — from likability and leadership to honesty — against a more ambivalent view of his policies and their impact on the country. Along another axis, the poll indicates voters are balancing the first flickers of optimism about the economy against growing anxiety over America's progress in Iraq."LINK
The Union Leader's DiStaso reports that BC04 campaign chair Marc Racicot will be in New Hampshire on Monday to roll out the campaign's state steering committee and RNC chairman Ed Gillespie will be back on Dec. 3. LINK
President Bush is in London and the New York Times ' Maureen Dowd breaks down his trip:
"Everything Mr. Bush did in London reinforced the idea that this was a trip made not so much to thank the British people for their friendship, but to send a message to the voters back home that he was at ease as a world leader." LINK
In a Washington Post op-ed, Robert Samuelson looks at economic indicators and sees a winning combination for President Bush next year — "Unlike his father, Bush may have beaten the business cycle." LINK
Bush plans to make the privatization of Social Security a key point in his presidential campaign next year, writes the Washington Times ' Donald Lambro. LINK
ABC News Vote 2004: The Invisible Primary:
The AP's Ron Fournier writes on the propensity of presidential candidates to fall into "heart-on-your-sleeve politics." LINK
The AP's Sharon Theimer writes that the eight candidates still opting for public funding are going to get a funding boost now that Dean, Kerry, and Bush have all opted out. LINK
The Washington Post 's Jim VandeHei writes up Lieberman's and Clark's sharp criticism for Dean's proposals to re-regulate utilities, large media companies and businesses that offer employee stock options. LINK
The Boston Globe 's Milligan and Denniston report that McCain, Feingold, Shays and Meehan plan to launch Friday a broad new effort to salvage the system of public subsidies for presidential candidates. LINK
The New York Times ' Glen Justice follows Terry McAuliffe into Dream night club to bring home the reality of campaign finance reform: "Nine months into the first campaign under the new rules, national Democratic Party committees are being surpassed by Republicans, 2 to 1, in raising money." LINK
Kerry:
Sometimes, when campaigns make staff adjustments, nothing changes but the phone list and IM addresses.
It would appear that the Kerry campaign high command is not content to just play out the string on a bad trajectory, but is going to make some serious late-course corrections.
Tomorrow, Kerry plans to unveil a new "first 100 days" strategy of what he would do to change America from the get-go.
The campaign plans to take advantage of opting out of the campaign spending limits by plowing resources into the key early states. The Los Angeles Times' poll suggests real voters won't care about that tactic.
With a new anti-Bush HMO/drug companies spot going up in New Hampshire today, a marshalling of its sometimes-forgotten impressive list of national political supporters, and some new staff changes in the offing, the operative gerund for this campaign for the next two words is "fighting," and that is, surely, the only way they are going to turn things around.
Now if the campaign can just avoid that age-old problem of not the knowing the difference between "literally" and "figuratively." LINK
The Boston Globe 's Pat Healy writes up the big names that are advising Kerry on foreign policy. LINK
Ambassador Joe Wilson does not believe his endorsement of Kerry should undermine his criticism of Bush, reports the Washington Times ' James Lakely. LINK
Roll Call reports Kerry campaign manager Mary Beth Cahill went to the Hill to speak with House members on Wednesday as Kerry "attempted to move beyond a series of negative stories stemming from his decision to fire his original top handler."
Read more from the trail with Kerry on abcnews.com: LINK
Clark:
The AP's Nedra Pickler Notes that while President Bush makes his controversial trip to London, Gen. Clark is in New York City today giving a speech that calls for new U.S.-Europe Alliances through the formation of a new Atlantic Charter. LINK
Ken Maguire of the AP says Clark's criticism of rival candidate Howard Dean yesterday on the issue of Dean's proposal to reregulate U.S. businesses (allegedly abandoning the Clinton administration's success in that area), was the "harshest assessment of a rival to date." LINK
The Boston Herald's David Guarino writes, "[Clark's] stalled presidential bid took a turn at the jugular of rivals [Kerry] and [Dean] yesterday, claiming they lack critical foreign policy experience to beat President Bush." LINK
Read more from the trail with Clark on abcnews.com: LINK
Gephardt:
The Boston Globe 's Brian Mooney reports that Gephardt will pick up the 125,000-member Transport Workers Union today, making it the 21st international union to give Gephardt the nod. LINK
Eleven North Dakota Democrats endorsed Gephardt Wednesday, according to the AP. LINK
From ABC News' Gephardt campaign reporter Sally Hawkins:
The Gephardt press bus has arrived in Iowa. Campaign reporters had been talking about it all week: a symbol of the primary season, the race heating up, and journalists from all over would getting on board (no pun intended) soon. Finally, a chance to bond with fellow reporters and get work while traveling through the soybean fields. No more rental car!
But this was not the bus of reporters' dreams.
The bus is about the size of a rental car airport shuttle, with an enormous photo of Rep. Gephardt on the exterior next to the words "Boilermakers for Gephardt" in huge writing. The Boilermakers Union, which endorsed Gephardt, loaned the vehicle.
Where to sit? On one side, there was a long bench that was hard and slippery. On the other, a counter of sorts, and two swivel chairs in the back — that were taken.
Clearly, this bus was made without shock absorbers. With each little small-town-Iowa-bump, all four journalists on board were airborne. As the driver, Willie, made his way toward the highway, I braced myself. Willie, a boilermaker and Gephardt volunteer, has a co-pilot who sat next to him on the floor in a plastic beach chair.
On the highway, things really shook and shimmied. Water bottles, notebooks, hand-held tape recorders, and cell phones slipped and slid. The thought of taking out my computer to type or my video camera to log tapes crossed my mind, but it all surely would have ended up as a torpedo, causing grievous bodily harm to someone. For two hours, the bus was like a washing machine made in the 1960s — the kind that ends up across the room during the spin cycle.
In addition, the incessant bouncing made our voices shake. After a while, conversations simply trailed off since we all sounded ridiculous.
Read more from the trail with Gephardt on abcnews.com: LINK
Dean:
The Des Moines Register 's Tom Beaumont reports that Howard Dean called Wednesday for more flexibility in federal education standards while criticizing President Bush for not providing enough money for schools.LINK
Roll Call has the latest Black Caucus endorsements for The Doctor.
Read more from the trail with Dean on abcnews.com: LINK
Edwards:
Keying off the release of "Four Trials," USA Today 's Jill Lawrence gets an interview with John Edwards that looks at the impact of losing his son. LINK
From ABC News' Edwards campaign reporter Gloria Riviera:
Edwards campaign headquarters in Raleigh, N.C., has changed since September, expanded by bodies and sugar. More people in the standard issue uniform: jeans and a wrinkle-free top (i.e. sweatshirt, T-shirt — perhaps that of old college roommates). More candy packed into desk drawers (Butterfingers, Nestle Crunch, Snickers). "This is a campaign. We need sugar," the staffer at the front desk said.
Read more from the trail with Edwards on abcnews.com: LINK
Lieberman:
Lieberman attacked three government officials for protecting corporate interests, writes the AP's Beth Fouhy. LINK
AP's Christina Almeida reports on Lieberman's Las Vegas stop. LINK
From ABC News' Lieberman campaign reporter Talesha Reynolds:
While Senator Lieberman hopped between fundraisers in Las Vegas and Northern California, the campaign sent out a barrage of statements railing against Howard Dean and the energy bill that passed the House on Tuesday.
Lieberman blasted Dean for his proposal to "re-regulate" industry saying that it would "cripple the economy." The economy is one of the candidates' biggest points of divergence, and in his effort to claim the anti-Dean title, Lieberman played the issue to the hilt. Returning to his refrain of "it's time for a fresh start; it's not a time for rookies," Lieberman said Dean's ideas suggest that "either he doesn't know how to turn the economy around, or this is another reckless mistake."
The energy bill's passing gave Lieberman a chance to highlight his integrity message vis-a-vis President Bush. Lieberman said the bill is fraught with payoffs to special interests and "ought to be called the 'Hooters and Polluters Act.' It is an abomination that endangers the environment, makes us more dependent on oil, and greases the palms of the special interests. And on top of all that, it is stuffed full of wasteful pork — including millions to help build a Hooter's restaurant."
Millions of dollars for one Hooter's? According to the release, the energy bill includes $350 million over 10 years for commercial developments, one of which would include a Hooter's.
Read more from the trail with Lieberman on abcnews.com: LINK
Kucinich:
The Washington Post 's Ed Walsh reports that Kucinich said the war in Afghanistan was unjustified and a "disaster" in his Post ed board interview, but then later called Walsh to say he misspoke and that his objection was based on tactics, not philosophy. LINK
You can listen to Kucinich here: LINK
USA Today 's editorial page lets Kucinich makes his case a Q&A, saying "I reject where the Democratic Party has gone. I think the Democratic Party has abandoned its roots … . I'm ready to help redefine the party. The Democratic Party doesn't have a compass." LINK
The AP's Sheeran takes a look at Kucinich being the only candidate this time around balancing double duty between his White House bid and Congressional election. LINK
The West Branch Times covers Kucinich's appearance in Herbert Hoover's hometown last weekend. LINK
From ABC News' Kucinich campaign reporter Melinda Arons:
While Rep. Kucinich had a quiet day off the trail voting in Washington, the PoliticsNH.com Web site was as busy as ever. Perhaps the new batch of women were inspired by "The Bachelor" finale last night, but suddenly there are 80 entries now clocking in for the "Who wants to be a First Lady?" contest. Cathleen from Silver City, N.M. used the picture section to superimpose her face onto the farmer's wife on the American Gothic mock photo from the home page. PoliticsNH.com hasn't announced yet when they'll start the polling, but Web readers should be able to cast their votes within the next few weeks. Kucinich will join the lucky winner for dinner in the Granite State.
Read more from the trail with Kucinich on abcnews.com: LINK
Sharpton:
The AP writes up Sharpton's stop at College of Charleston, Noting his tardiness. LINK
The Chicago Tribune's Ellen Warren profiles Sharpton — focusing on the past, the present, the future and the resulting transformation.
"For many people, that racially divisive fiasco is all they know — all they need to know — about Sharpton. But in the Post -Brawley years, beginning in the early '90s, Sharpton gradually has been lowering his volume, broadening his message, moving closer to the mainstream." LINK
Sharpton has disavowed an ad that uses his comments to attack Edwards on the judicial filibuster of Justice Janice Brown, according to the Charlotte Observer. LINK
The Times and Democrat presents Sharpton's address — nearly word-for-word — to students at South Carolina State University. LINK
From ABC News' Sharpton campaign reporter Beth Loyd:
Rev. Sharpton began his two-day South Carolina National Action Network voter registration bus tour today — minus the bus. Organizers said that the bus's windshield wipers didn't work, so they had to abandon it given the temperamental weather. So, it was more like a trickling caravan of Sharpton's SUV and reporters' rental cars.
Making stops at College of Charleston, Voorhees College, South Carolina State University and Morris College, Sharpton explained to students why the GOTV effort is so important. Along with NAN staff, some Sharpton campaign coordinators were along for the ride-asking for campaign volunteers at every stop. By the end of the day, the NAN effort registered about 200 students.
Sharpton faced some persistent questions from a reporter after the journalist seemed to perceive a weakened tone on gay marriage in front of a very Christian group. A man in the audience told Sharpton that he heard on the news that Sharpton supports gay marriage, and asked Sharpton what he "personally" thinks about gay marriage. Yesterday, the campaign issued a statement calling Sharpton "the staunchest advocate for gay, lesbian and transgender rights."
Sharpton explained — rather briefly — that "it should be human rights issue." When pressed by another member of the group, Sharpton said, "My personal belief is in a heterosexual relationship."
After the event, a reporter asked him why he toned it down. Sharpton denied it — explaining the difference between his personal opinion and his public policy — but the reporter pressed, asking, "What is your position on gay marriage?" Sharpton exploded. First, he suggested that the reporter "take a Tylenol." The reporter pressed some more. Then Sharpton called him "biased" and "ignorant" and suggested he "learn journalism." A little more pressing by the reporter, and Sharpton walked away … MAD.
Read more from the trail with Sharpton on abcnews.com: LINK
Moseley Braun:
Alexandra Marks of The Christian Science Monitor provides a thorough profile on Ambassador Carol Moseley Braun. "It's a Sisyphean task that she undertakes with a singular determination at almost every stop, interview, and casual encounter — as though she knows that, as an African-American woman and a one-term senator under an ethical cloud, she has to work that much harder to be taken seriously." LINK
Sam Hananel of the Associated Press reports, "Democrat Carol Moseley Braun said Wednesday she will stay in the presidential race "to the end" despite her struggle to raise money and hold onto key campaign staff."
USA Today 's Andrea Stone has highlights from Moseley Braun's sit-down with the USA Today ed board (with Patricia Ireland too). LINK
From ABC News' Moseley Braun campaign reporter Monica Ackerman:
Ambassador Carol Moseley Braun spoke at the American University's College of Law on very wet D.C. Wednesday, where she said that 50 years ago the room would have been filled with people who all looked alike. Now "I see the world," she said describing all the different cultures and backgrounds of those listening. One student who said he was born in the Dominican Republic asked the Ambassador if she thinks non-citizens should be able to run for president. "I have not supported amending the Constitution for those changes," she said. "The radical right has too much control right now for us to deal with constitutional changes."
Moseley Braun even used some French on the students. "Le plus ca change. Le plus ca reste le meme," meaning each generation gets to make the previous generations' mistakes. She appeared to have struck a cord with the crowd — one student was especially impressed when Moseley Braun signed her petition for oral contraceptives to be included in student health care coverage.
Read more from the trail with Moseley Braun on abcnews.com: LINK
Michigan:
The Michigan Democratic Party is working to gain approval of their plan to allow internet voting in the state's Feb. 7 caucus, according to the AP's Nedra Pickler. LINK
Republican National Convention:
The New York Post reports Mayor Michael Bloomberg hit the ball back into Tom DeLay's court. LINK
"'Why you'd want to be out in the harbor on a boat where you're cut off when you have a very safe, exciting city, I don't know,' Bloomberg said, responding to a Post report that Rep. Tom DeLay is pressing ahead with the boat plan, despite opposition."
The politics of national security:
In reacting to this morning's bombings in Istanbul which killed more than two dozen people, the AP reports the president "hinted that U.S. troop levels in Iraq could rise, not fall as many have speculated with an expected transfer of power to Iraqis next year. 'We could have less troops in Iraq, we could have the same number of troops in Iraq, we can have more troops … whatever it takes to secure Iraq,'" the president said. LINK
On the troop front, as expected, Secretary Rumsfeld "ordered an additional 15,000 Reserve and National Guard troops on Wednesday to prepare for the possibility of yearlong duty in Iraq or Kuwait, rounding out a plan to rotate American forces in the region by next spring," reports the New York Times . LINK
The Wall Street Journal 's Greg Hitt and Marc Champion report Bush was unapologetic in defending the Iraq war during a London speech, framing the conflict as an attempt to advance shared U.S. and British values in the Mideast.
The Wall Street Journal 's Ryan Foley reports the U.S. "outlined rules for $18.6 billion in Iraq reconstruction contracts, saying jobs would be limited to companies from the U.S., Iraq and 'coalition partners.' Some work could be subcontracted outside that circle."
The Los Angeles Times reports the Program Management Office has been "scrambling to respond to White House pressure to show quick progress in Iraq. Congress has been prodding the office to assure the fairness of the process, while Iraqis and America's allies in the war have been demanding that their companies be allowed to share in the lucrative rebuilding." LINK
A number of papers folo-up on the next round of U.N. resolution negotiations. USA Today reports "a new resolution would bring legitimacy to an Iraqi provisional government and might encourage countries to help in Iraq's reconstruction once the U.S. political occupation ends. But U.S. officials say they want to avoid allowing whatever new resolution is offered to become yet another airing of the council's split on Iraq." LINK
The New York Times ' Tom Friedman says that America really does need friends and partners to "succeed" in Iraq "not only to help, but to provide legitimacy" to the U.S. rebuilding effort there. LINK
Investi-Gate widens!
USA Today 's John Diamond reports "CIA Director George Tenet has ordered investigators to substantially widen their internal probe of Iraq intelligence to consider whether the agency missed telltale signs that Iraq had gotten rid of its weapons of mass destruction before the U.S.-led invasion last March." LINK
Continues Diamond, the probe "will now extend into 20 volumes of raw intelligence reports, such as electronic intercepts, spy satellite photos and reports from human sources."
Meanwhile the New York Times is the next to examine the Doug Feith memo recently in the Weekly Standard on the connections between Iraq and Al Qaeda. LINK
The Washington Post 's Walter Pincus reports the memo has "reopened a long-simmering behind-the-scenes battle between Pentagon and CIA officials" and both the CIA and the Senate Intelligence Committee have both asked the Justice Department to investigate the leak of the Feith memo. LINK
The New York Times ' Lichtblau reports "Congressional negotiators approved a measure on Wednesday" that "gives the Federal Bureau of Investigation greater authority to demand records from businesses in terrorism cases without the approval of a judge or a grand jury." LINK
The President in London:
The New York Times ' Richard Stevenson writes the president tried to "prepare the world for the possibility that the United States might one day feel it necessary to use force again to combat what he called 'evil in plain sight.'" LINK
Our favorite Milbank-ian graph of the Stevenson story:
"Although it was held in the ornate Banqueting House in Whitehall, under ceilings painted by Rubens, the White House produced its own backdrops, including one behind Mr. Bush with the words 'United Kingdom' repeated over and over, as if to remind viewers at home that the president was on a world stage."
The New York Times ' Warren Hoge Notes the current lukewarm state of the Bush/Blair relationship and writes "Mr. Blair gains little if anything from being pictured with Mr. Bush. By contrast, said Robin Cook, a former cabinet member who resigned over the war, being seen at Buckingham Palace and alongside Mr. Blair amounted to 'the mother of all photo ops for President Bush.'" LINK
The Washington Post 's Glenn Frankel and Dana Milbank report on Bush's "spirited defense" of the Iraq war in his and focus on this line from his speech: "The people have given us the duty to defend them, and that duty sometimes requires the violent restraint of violent men." LINK
The Washington Post 's Peter Slevin analyzes Bush's speech, focusing on a "vintage Bush" line: his suggestion that Europeans drop their support of Palestinian Authority leader Yasser Arafat (and the silence with which the statement was met). LINK
The Washington Post 's Dana Milbank's headline reads: "Texan on the Thames." Can't beat that with a stick.LINK
USA Today 's Judy Keen writes, "A forceful defense of his policies and a challenge to join his quest for global democracy were the most striking elements of Bush's 39-minute speech." LINK
USA Today 's Richard Benedetto gets some historians to evaluate the president's comparison of Iraq to post-war Germany and Japan. LINK
The AP's Audrey Woods on today's British protests against Bush. LINK
The economy:
New unemployment claims were down again last week, reports ABC News' Ramona Schindelheim. The Labor Department released the unemployment numbers — 355,000 new claims — marking seven straight weeks that the number has been below 400,000. In short, things appear to be looking up for the labor market. The four-week average of claims, Schindelheim Notes, is at a 33-month low.
The Wall Street Journal 's Jeff Opdyke and Daniel Machalaba report that even though the economy is improving, workers are unlikely to see a big boost in their paychecks over the next year. Wages are rising faster than inflation, but the average salary increase is expected to hover around 3%, they write.
Forget what you've heard about tax cuts; new legislation Congress is hurrying to pass — with the blessing of President Bush, will raise taxes in the next five to 10 years, writes the Wall Street Journal 's David Wessel. We can't grow our way out of a recession, and no one — even on the Republican side of the aisle — seems willing to cut spending, Wessel writes.
The politics of gay marriage:
The Boston Globe has a handful of articles on the fallout of the Massachusetts' Supreme Court's decision:
--on the possibility of a civil union statute to satisfy the legislature, the governor, and the justices: LINK
--on conservatives' strategy to delay the effective date of the ruling until after lawmakers and voters have acted on a proposed constitutional amendment that would define marriage as a heterosexual institution: LINK
--on the trend of decisions redefining the family: LINK
--on Gov. Romney's strategy: LINK
--on the impact of the culture war for the GOP: LINK
Conservatives "mobilize against gay marriage," reports the New York Times . Note the parsing in social conservatives' circles of the president's statement on the Massachusetts ruling and the (typical) pass they are mostly giving him because they know his heart. LINK
The New York Times ' editorial board calls this week's decision "a victory for gay marriage" that in time will come to seem as obvious as the decision knocking down interracial marriage bans. LINK
The Los Angeles Times' Mark Z. Barabak writes, "Democrat or Republican, few in either political camp seemed pleased or comfortable Wednesday with the Massachusetts court decision upholding gay marriage." LINK
"Overall, the issue is probably 'a net benefit for the Republicans, if they play it correctly,' said James Guth, a political scientist at South Carolina's Furman University. But, he said, 'it works best for the Republicans if they sort of let the issue play itself, rather than harp on it too much.'"
USA Today 's Fred Bayles reports that "employers, lawyers and state officials in Massachusetts feel they have little time to prepare for the monumental changes the nation's first gay marriages promise." LINK
The Los Angeles Times' Elizabeth Mehren writes that the Massachusetts legislature is divided on the gay marriage ruling. LINK
The Washington Times ' Cheryl Wetzstein writes that Romney will work with the legislature on a civil-union law, while at the same time pursuing a constitutional amendment preserving traditional marriage. LINK
The Wall Street Journal editorial board writes that the first shot has been fired in the next culture war, likening the gay marriage decision to Roe v. Wade and Justice Scalia to nothing short of a prophet. And that liberals have subverted the democratic process by taking the issue of gay marriage to the courts.
The first sentence is going to drive Scalia-haters bonkers.
The Chicago Tribune discusses the question of civil unions vs. traditional marriage, and the far-reaching effects of the Massachusetts decision. LINK
Audrey Hudson writes that Congress is unlikely to act on the matter of gay marriage. LINK
John Kerry tells the Tallahasse Democrat that "Democrats will not be hurt in the conservative South by his home state's Supreme Court ruling." LINK
"I think people in all the states care about equal protection of the law for all people," Kerry said. "I don't think the Democratic Party itself is advocating anything different than what President Bush has said."
Big Casino budget politics: energy:
Senator Judd Gregg condemned the Republican-backed energy bill yesterday, as lawmakers threaten a bipartisan filibuster. LINK
This Union-Leader editorial board writes that the energy bill, with its amalgam of subsidies and tax breaks, is nothing but slop for the hogs. LINK
The AP's John Heilprin writes that Senator Tom Daschle has thrown his support behind the energy bill and will oppose a filibuster. LINK
The Des Moines Register 's Jonathan Roos reports that environmental and labor groups are urging Senator Harkin to filibuster the energy bill. LINK
The politics of trade:
The Wall Street Journal reports that the new U.S. textile-trade flap with China could have ripple effects throughout Asia's garment industry, forcing buyers and suppliers to rethink their business plans.
Fed Chair Alan Greenspan said "ballooning trade deficits have not hurt the U.S. economy so far, but he warned that 'creeping protectionism' could jeopardize the nation's ability to narrow the deficits without adverse consequences," the AP reports. LINK
Legislative agenda:
The Wall Street Journal 's David Rogers reports that a massive spending bill taking shape in Congress would restore tighter ownership rules for broadcasters while trimming the SEC's budget request by $30 million for the coming year.
The Los Angeles Times reports a deal has been reached "on a version of President Bush's plan for thinning the national forests to reduce wildfire risk." LINK
Lawmakers reached a compromise yesterday on a bill for reducing wildfires in national parks, writes the AP's Matthew Daly. LINK
The Clintons of Chappaqua:
Former President Bill Clinton pens an op-ed for The Wall Street Journal commending South Africa for its work fighting AIDS, Noting a decision Wednesday by the South African cabinet to approve a plan for nationwide treatment — what Clinton calls a major step in ending a devastating pandemic.
The FEC rules that Denise Rich did not break any campaign finance laws, according to the AP. LINK
Politics:
Speaking in Orlando Wednesday, Housing Secretary Mel Martinez "ducked out a back door to avoid questions about his possible bid for the Senate." LINK
Former U.S. Senator Bob Smith is "very seriously" considering running for the open Senate seat from his adopted state of Florida, reports the Union-Leader's Mark Hayward. LINK
The AP writes about it too. LINK
Coupling:
It's another weekend of political weddings. This Saturday, BC04 spokesman Kevin Madden will marry Jaclyn Norris, Legislative Director for Rep. Ric Keller (R-Fla.).
Even in the final days before his wedding, Madden still has his eye on Election Day:
"The fact that she's also from Pittsburgh, Pa., where the wedding will be held, delight's Ken Mehlman. Pennsylvania and Florida are two electoral goldmines, so every little bit of effort helps! (Jac also interned for Senator Santorum.)"