Top Items:
Simon Tisdall / Guardian:
US plans last big push in Iraq — Strategy document calls for extra 20,000 troops, aid for Iraqi army and regional summit — President George Bush has told senior advisers that the US and its allies must make "a last big push" to win the war in Iraq and that instead of beginning …
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Robin Wright / Washington Post:
Bush Initiates Iraq Policy Review Separate From Baker Group's — President Bush formally launched a sweeping internal review of Iraq policy yesterday, pulling together studies underway by various government agencies, according to U.S. officials. — The initiative, begun after Bush met …
Anne Plummer Flaherty / Associated Press:
U.S. Commander Warns Against Iraq Cutoff — WASHINGTON — The top U.S. commander in the Middle East warned Congress Wednesday against setting a timetable for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq, saying it would impede commanders in managing U.S. and Iraqi forces.
Discussion:
Think Progress, The Democratic Daily, Taylor Marsh, The Carpetbagger Report and Middle Earth Journal
David Stout / New York Times:
Top General Warns Against Iraq Timetable — The top American military commander in the Middle East warned today against setting a timetable for withdrawing United States troops from Iraq and raised the possibility that more might be needed, if only temporarily, to help that country's security forces …
Michelle Malkin:
Another GOP Maalox moment — Just when the MSM focus had fixed on the Democrats' culture of corruption and business-as-usual, along come Beltway Republicans to remind us of how lame the GOP leadership is. — Trent Lott is back. — Flashback 2002: I called Trent Lott the Republican Party's eternal Maalox moment.
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Associated Press:
Lott succeeds in leadership comeback — WASHINGTON (AP) — Sen. Trent Lott, ousted from the top Senate Republican leadership job four years ago because of remarks considered racially insensitive, won election to the No. 2 post Wednesday for the minority GOP in the next Congress.
Discussion:
Volunteer Voters, Eschaton, Redstate, Captain's Quarters, Washington Times, Don Surber, Stop The ACLU, The Moderate Voice, QandO, Porkbusters, Alabama Liberation Front, DownWithTyranny!, Blue Crab Boulevard, Ace of Spades HQ, Lawyers, Guns and Money, The Carpetbagger Report, Outside The Beltway, TigerHawk, Talking Points Memo and Sister Toldjah
John Hawkins / Human Events:
Does the GOP Need Another Thumpin' in 2008 to Get the Message?
Does the GOP Need Another Thumpin' in 2008 to Get the Message?
Discussion:
Miami Herald
Dean Barnett / Hugh Hewitt's TownHall Blog:
Lott Back on Top! — Trent Lott has won the number …
Lott Back on Top! — Trent Lott has won the number …
Discussion:
New York Times, Balloon Juice, Porkbusters, Hot Air, The American Princess and Murdoc Online
Chris Matthews / MSNBC:
Rep. John Murtha defends his ethics — "Hardball" host Chris Matthews asks Murtha about leadership, Iraq, ethics … Host of 'Hardball' — In his first interview since reportedly calling a Democratic bill on lobbying and ethics "total crap," Rep. John Murtha told "Hardball" …
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Allahpundit / Hot Air:
Breaking: Murtha says he's got the votes to beat Hoyer; Update: Bumbling Abscam apologia video added! — Two minutes ago on Hardball; the video's coming. While you wait, chew on the latest from Kucinich, who's supporting him over Hoyer for majority leader.
The Blotter:
Abramoff Reports to Prison; Officials Focus on Reid, Others — Brian Ross and Rhonda Schwartz Report: — As convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff reported to federal prison today, a source close to the investigation surrounding his activities told ABC News that Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.) …
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Associated Press:
Abramoff laments 'nightmare' in e-mail as he enters prison in scandal — CUMBERLAND, Md.— One-time power broker Jack Abramoff lamented ``this nightmare'' political scandal that stretches from Congress to the White House and looked toward being with family and friends again someday as he entered a federal prison Wednesday.
Discussion:
TPMmuckraker
Scott Shepard / Austin American-Statesman:
Carville Says Dems Should Dump Dean over "Rumsfeldian" Incompetence — Democratic strategist James Carville says his party should dump Howard Dean as chairman of the Democratic Party because of incompetence. — Carville, during coffee and rolls with political reporters today …
Discussion:
The Democratic Daily, Lawyers, Guns and Money, Shakespeare's Sister, Donklephant and PSoTD
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Washington Wire:
One More Time for Judicial Nominees — After calling for bipartisanship, President Bush surprised Senate Democrats with plans to renominate a controversial list of judges - some of whom may be unacceptable even to a few Republican senators. "It's an unfortunate signal," said one senior Democratic Senate aide.
Hotline On Call:
McCain Explores 2008.... Sen. John McCain will formally open his 2008 presidential exploratory committee by tomorrow a.m., an adviser said today. — The committee has already built a website — http://www.exploremccain.com/ — and it will stream live his speech to GOPAC, a conservative grassroots group with a strong pedigree.
BBC:
Pakistan votes to amend rape laws — Pakistan's national assembly has voted to amend the country's strict Sharia laws on rape and adultery. — Until now rape cases were dealt with in Sharia courts. Victims had to have four male witnesses to the crime - if not they faced prosecution for adultery.
Jason Horowitz / New York Observer:
Exultant Chuck Says He'll Veto the Next Alito — New King of Washington Promises Moderate Court; Rove-like, Plans Permanent Democratic Majority; More N.Y. Homeland Money, Iraqi Federalism — More than the inability to influence Iraq policy or the President's tax cuts …
Randy Hall / CNSNews:
Giuliani 'Unacceptable' for President, Conservatives Say — (CNSNews.com) - Former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani enjoys "a lot of good will" from Republicans from his handling of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, but his stance on social issues like abortion and gun control …
Discussion:
Hot Air, American Spectator, Debbie Schlussel, DownWithTyranny!, Liberal Values and The Neal Boortz Show