** WHILE BUSH COOLS HIS HEELS, NEW SENATE LEADERS MOVE. SORT OF. While President George W. Bush waits around for a day, he hopes, in Jordan, for his postponed summit with our man in Iraq, incoming leaders of the U.S. Senate are pushing for a new move in the strife-torn country. Incoming Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, incoming Senate Intelligence Chairman Jay Rockefeller, and incoming Senate Armed Services Chairman Carl Levin want Bush to appoint a special envoy to Iraq. His or her charge? To work with the various factions in the country to gain a ceasefire and a broad-based political settlement.
** President George W. Bush’s scheduled summit today in Jordan with the Iraqi prime minister has just been delayed until tomorrow. Pro-Shiite militia forces have threatened to pull their members out of the country’s parliament, possibly bringing the government down, if the Bush summit went forward.
** OBAMA GETS RELIGION. Rising Democratic superstar and presidential hopeful Senator Barack Obama (D-Illinois) is courting evangelicals. He is slated to appear Friday at one of the biggest evangelical churches in the country, Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, a community in Califonria’s Orange County. Pastor Rick Warren, author of “The Purpose Driven Life,” is said to draw 20,000 people to weekly sermons there.
Obama and Warren have apparently struck up a seemingly unlikely friendship. The senator’s appearance at Warren’s big evangelical church is part of a two-day summit on the global AIDS crisis scheduled to include U2′s Bono and Microsoft’s Bill Gates. But anti-abortion forces are striking back against Obama’s appearance, since Obama is pro-choice.
** A PREVIEW OF THE POST-IRAQ TERROR WAR. Next week’s Senate hearings on the confirmation of Defense Secretary-designate Robert Gates are likely to provide an early preview of what America’s post-Iraq moves will be in the War on Terror. Gates, a former CIA director under Bush I, will, sources say, be questioned extensively about his ideas on prosecuting the Terror War aside from Iraq, where the US position has dramatically deteriorated.
** FRIST OUT OF PRESIDENTIAL RACE. Outgoing Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist is also out of the race for the 2008 Republican presidential nomination. The good doctor is expected to make an announcement later today.
** SUPREMES HEAT UP. Oral arguments take place today before the U.S. Supreme Court in Massachusetts v. Environmental Protection Agency. The state argues that the EPA should be regulating greenhouse gases. The Bush Administration EPA argues it does not have the authority. A read of the Clean Air Act indicates that the Bush EPA are wrong. California and other states have joined in the suit, which will not be decided until next spring at the earliest.
Depending on how it goes, and how it is cut, the decision could strengthen or impede California’s leading edge movest to cut greenhouse gas emissions. There is a separate but related case going currently. Automakers have filed suit against California’s 2002 law to cut tailpipe emissions. The case will be heard next January in Fresno.
** Monitor computer memory prices on a daily basis.
** Track global and national energy prices in near real time via Bloomberg. Crude oil prices are around $62 per barrel.
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| Comments (85) |
I saw Eastwood’s movie of Flags Of Our Fathers. He’s a wonderful filmmaker but I was probably too tired to see it then, plus I got into a coughing jag.
I never made it to the movie. Wasn’t playing that close to me and I wanted to finish the book first. Guess I’ll check it when it comes out on DVD.
Speaking of coughing jags, how’s your health these days? Getting some good rest?
Definitely better. But not into a lot of running around for awhile.
Well, it’s good that you’re getting some rest time. Hope that you can continue doing so for the rest of the year. Sure as heck ‘taint going to be much going on in the River City until then.
Kiddies come back Monday, get sworn in, drop a few bills in the hopper, finish a couple watering holes and then head out of Dodge until January.
Return to find the River City rocking. GAS & EGB in the same city, lots of parties, state of the state, budget time and it will mark the 25th anniversary of the opening of the restored section of the Capitol!
And now the triva question of the day: can you name the one member of the legislature who was a state capitol tour guide when that event took place?
Free cup of Old Soul coffee to the winner…
It is 12 here and the snow cats are grooming the ski runs. I found a book called “The Mozart Effect”…the book and CD seem to take the edge off the cold.
Everyone is talking about Obama but, I remember when the Clinton’s were in the White House, the middle class families did very well. I was hired at a very cool job, we started a family (which was noted by a letter from the White House) and I appreciated the Family Leave Act. I could vote for Hiliary Clinton. If her Vice President had a military background…they would be like a perfect pair of shoes.
They are reporting that at 11:30 our time the Bush-Maliki have their breakfast meeting and I think I heard that it will be followed by a presscon and q & A…
I wonder if a Special Envoy works in this case?…Reid also said it is not insurgents causing most of the violence but now it is the Sunnis and Shias responsible …I wonder if this is really a job for an American?…it is hard to believe that we could be seen has having any credibility to broker anything between the two sects…I wish we were not so isolated in the world on this…I wish a visionary Arab leader would come on the scene, even a benevolent dictator (if there is such a thing)looks good to me right now…such senseless violence.
Bill I find Obama interesting…he is a fresh face and I did listen to his speech during their convention…he has a magnatism about him that seems to be genuine…people seem to like him and react well to him….he is green but sometimes that’s not bad…SS it’s chilly in LaLa land too and they have NOT turned the heat on in my building! It’s an outrage but having lived in the VA suburbs of DC for 10 years I know how to dress warmly…irish coffee always worked for me to keep warm…I miss the great Irish bars in DC that served killer irish coffees…TommyBoy got to one of them while you’re out that way you won’t regret it! Bill I’m also glad you are getting rest and won’t be running around too much….I was worried about you…grrr still no smiley faces:(
Lived in NoVa for a bit m’self in ‘o4…Didn’t get into the district much (‘cept for work) so my haunts were mostly in Old Town Alexandria.
It’ll be nice to be back…
Carole:Everyone is talking about Obama but, I remember when the Clinton’s were in the White House…
She is very admirable, a very good Senator BUT…I need to see energy ..lots of it ..and needless to say it has to be positive…also strength…and lots of that..somehow with Hilary it is going backwards not forward…Obama
Villaraigosa, and somewhat Edwards and Arnold all have the ability to make you feel like you are going someplace with them…someplace special…it’s a new century…it’s time for a new class of leaders.
I am looking for a someone who can Kickstart this country again…I want a Kickstarter for Prez…
TommyBoy I lived there fot 10 years…I loved it and still do it’s very very unique…Old Town is the best but I did love going to DC…enjoy your trip back I can’t wait to hear about it! I haven’t been back in a while but hopefully will get back out there again soon
Ladies do you remember Gina Davis in “Commander and Chief”? Okay, just a TV series but, do you realize what a woman in the oval office could accomplish? Great things. Women are generally peace makers, loyal, forgiving, intellectual, great decision makers etc. I have been mulling over my 2008 list. I think it is time for voters to consider an alternative for the ultimate power. I am thinking experience. Think of all the countries that have grown to power at the hands of a woman.
P.S….Gore in on Leno tonight:)
Barbara very well stated I agree with you
Leno to Gore..”Politics is show business for ugly people”…LOL
Thank You Jillian. Sorry Carole ..HC doesn’t do it for me and I don’t see women political leaders quite the same way as you just described nor do I see any woman political leader that I could say is a kickstarter at the moment…
I am watching “Medium” then switching to cable for “Breakfast In Jordan”! Good Night Ladies!
Contest is over. No winner. Sleep well.
Carole I don’t see a woman out there yet who can cut it experience wise…Condi is the exception but she wants to be NFL Commissioner:) She has the brains, drive and determination but not the fire in the belly….if she ever decides to go fot it I’m in her corner….I also am going to watch “Breakfast in Jordan”…I do agree a woman would be good in the oval…there are good examples from other countries in the world and we will catch up sooner rather than later
SS I hope you are staying warm up there:)
Jillian,
Staying warm is no problem. I pack a lot of my own insulation!
rotflamo SS I understand that:) I finally had to shut my last open window still no heat but no cold air now either…warmth being the absence of cold
If Condi is the best example of an experienced woman for President, may God help the fairer sex.
Her experience consists of being National Security Adviser at the time of the single worst foul up in the history of American national security.
“I believe the memo was titled ‘Bin Laden determined to attack in United States’…?”
She then moved on to become Secretary of State as American diplomacy continued to circle the drain, testing the Finding Nemo theory that all drains lead to the ocean. The boffo diplomatic job of this administration with the situations in the middle east, North Korea, increasingly troubled/strained (not sure what to call it) with the former Soviet Union, continuing differences with traditional allies in Europe (including growing distance between us and our closest ally Great Britain)…
Yeah.
She’s got all the experience we need in the White House. I’d rather the Republicans nominate Harriet Myers.
TommyBoy…she’s also a protege of George Schultz…she is not a lighweight….she’s worked in the WH under another GOP President…I’ve met her, talked to her and admire her….she is no slouch
I’m not doubting she’s smart, I’m sure she was a great professor on the subjects she taught.
I’m just saying that as much as she learned from Schultz or in previous administrations, she was asleep at the wheel and 3,000 people died.
“Historical Document” my ass.
I’m no White House/Washington insider…but I’m guessing that as NSA she was right there as the planning to divert attention from the real bad guys (Bin Laden) to a fake on (Hussein) was going on.
We’re losing the battle in Iraq. The War on Terror globally. Diplomatic relations are in tatters. Freedoms are being grated away at home.
She was negligent in the events of 9/11 and complicit in the disaster in Iraq. She should be back in a classroom before anyone else gets hurt.
I think Condi Rice does what she is told.
Condi was the President’s Natl Security Adviser and is the Sec of State. She has contributed to and is still a contributor the Iraq War unraveling which could lead to the world’s worst nightmare… former Sec of States helped rebuild Europe after WWII….She can’t even see to it that Iraq’s major population centers have electricity and running water…She should also resign. She can’t do her job.
Mr.Bradley,
I think this Don Sipple should help Hagel run for the President. Even if he does not win and he probably won’t …he could save the Republican Party from itself by being on the political center stage…and unlike Arnold (pursuant to Matthews book on Arnold) Hagel appears to be a listener…and I think he would listen to Sipple…and I read up on him he has done national races before…so he should help Hagel, It would be a noble act. there should be another option for REEPS and DTS voters than Romey, Rudi and McCain … There is a good Oped in Sac bee today on Hagel by my favorite Wa Post oped writer…
An independent ticket for 2008:
Scott Ritter, former UN weapons inspector who has been proven correct and prescient about the catastrophe in Iraq, and
Janice Karpinski, scapegoated General who has testified that Rumsfeld ordered and supervised tortures at Abu Ghraib for which she was fired.
These two would expose the shallowness, hypocrisy, opportunism, and failures of all the mainstream duopoly hacks, including Edwards (he lost a debate with Mr. Toad Cheney!), Obama, Clinton, McCain, Rudy G, and Condi.
Ritter-Karpinski 2008
(I know this is a wild fantasy)
Speaking of fantasy, and books, Obama’s religious tome is a #1 best seller, but just below at #4 or 5 is God Delusion by Richard Dawkins. Thank god for thinking people!
Why does the far left have these delusions of adequacy? lol
Chuck Hagel for President? On what basis?
“Ann : Why does the far left have these delusions of adequacy? lol”
we on the far left have no delusions or illusions about the adequacy of the democrats or republicans to deal with reality. A ray of hope is Vermont Senator and independent middle-left democratic socialist Bernie Sanders, who will push for real solutions that benefit the working class and work to hold accountable the criminals who got us into an unwinnable, illegal war.
that may be worthy of another ‘lol’, showing some delusions about the adequacy of business as usual having any relevance to our current predicament.
Is there no question for which you will not supply a rhetorical answer?
Mr. Bradley “Chuck Hagel for President? On what basis?”
Why not? …it’s an open field, Hagel could intro himself to the country, show the country that not everyone in the party is extreme…he is a good age, thoughful, right on the War from the beginning, right on immigration, good resume for moderate REEPS, a new face to most of America and the DTS voters …I am tired of all usual suspects…I know this will sound crazy to you but the idea that there are Chuck Hagels in this make me feel safe…now notice I am not saying I am safe …I am saying men like him make me feel safe….what can I say, I like him… he is my favorite Republican…I mean, I like Arnold too, but I am one of those people who think to him/herself privately that Arnold really isn’t a Republican…
woops should read:
“I know this will sound crazy to you but the idea that there are Chuck Hagels in this world make me feel safe.”
geesh I hate typing in little boxes…
I like Chuck Hagel, but I don’t see him running against his friend John McCain.
Regarding typing in boxes. Going a little slower means not having to correct yourself.
Not enough people know who Hagel is. How can he run as an anti-war candidate in Republcian primaries?
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