Top Items:
Associated Press:
Bush: 'I'm the decision-maker' in Iraq troops — President challenges lawmakers to give 'surge' plan a chance to work — President Bush, right, meets with Defense chief Robert Gates, left, and Army Lt. General David Petraeus at the White House. — NBC VIDEO — Jan. 26: President Bush speaks to reporters on Friday.
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Think Progress:
President Bush: 'I'm The Decision-Maker' — In remarks to reporters this morning, President Bush said he would ignore Congress' opposition to his escalation plan, saying, "I'm the decision-maker." Watch it: — UPDATE: Flashback to 4/18/06: "I'm the decider, and I decide what is best."
William Branigin / Washington Post:
Bush: 'I'm the Decision-Maker' on Iraq — President Bush today rebuffed congressional opponents who want to stop his plan to increase U.S. troop strength in Iraq, declaring that "I'm the decision-maker" on the war effort and challenging skeptics to produce their own plan for success.
Discussion:
Talking Points Memo, Blogs of War, Captain's Quarters, The Fourth Rail, Redstate, TPMCafe blogs and The Carpetbagger Report
Associated Press:
House Speaker Pelosi visits Iraq — BAGHDAD, Iraq - House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (news, bio, voting record) and Rep. John Murtha (news, bio, voting record), both vocal war critics, were in the Iraqi capital Friday at the head of a delegation of House members on a fact-finding mission …
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Associated Press:
4 troops abducted, killed in Iraq attack — BAGHDAD, Iraq - In perhaps the boldest and most sophisticated attack in four years of warfare, gunmen speaking English, wearing U.S. military uniforms and carrying American weapons abducted four U.S. soldiers last week at the provincial headquarters …
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Editor and Publisher:
AP Disputes Military Claims on Deaths of Americans in Iraq — BAGHDAD Contrary to U.S. military statements, four U.S. soldiers did not die repelling a sneak attack at the governor's office in the Shiite holy city of Karbala last week. New information obtained by The Associated Press shows …
Shailagh Murray / Washington Post:
Hagel Ponders White House Run As War Criticism Raises His Profile — His Republican colleagues regard him warily. The White House barely speaks to him. He is reviled by his party's conservative base. — Looks as though Sen. Chuck Hagel is on a roll. — Both parties have their Iraq war contrarians.
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John Hawkins / Right Wing News:
Right-Of-Center Bloggers Select The Most & Least Desired 2008 Republican Nominee (First Half Of 2007 Edition) — Right Wing News emailed more than 230 right-of-center bloggers and asked them to send us a ranked list 1-5 of the candidates that they would most like to take the Republican nomination …
Discussion:
The Caucus, DownWithTyranny!, Riehl World View, Liberal Values, Brainster's Blog and Wizbang
CBC News:
Ottawa reaches $10M settlement with Arar — Ottawa has reached a $10-million settlement with Maher Arar over Canada's role in a U.S. decision to deport him to Syria, where he was jailed and tortured. — Prime Minister Stephen Harper is scheduled to make the settlement announcement on Friday afternoon …
Discussion:
Captain's Quarters
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Jane Hamsher / Firedoglake:
Back in the Saddle — You know things are going well on your blog when everyone is so busy they don't even have room for you to post. Our site administrator RBG finally gave me the thumbs up to start blogging again today since things are thankfully a bit slower (emptywheel's fingers must …
Discussion:
spazeboy
Allahpundit / Hot Air:
Video: Gates says the anti-surge resolution "emboldens the enemy" — If you haven't signed the pledge yet, now's your chance. — Update: Mitch McConnell: "This is it." — Update: CNN's got a copy of the early draft of McCain's resolution. Bet-hedging with an eye to 2008 or grudging compromise …
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Michael Isikoff / Newsweek:
Will Rove Testify? — The president's political guru—and counselor Dan Bartlett—have been subpoenaed by Scooter Libby's lawyers. What it means for the most-watched trial in Washington—and who's next on the witness stand. — Rove watching President Bush fly off to Camp David last Saturday
Matea Gold / Los Angeles Times:
Fox to air controversial excerpts from 'Path to 9/11' — It got them by taping a public talk by the docudrama's writer, who showed clips from a scene toned down after ex-officials' criticism. — NEW YORK — In a move that could rekindle a heated political debate, Fox News said Thursday …
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Carpetbagger / The Carpetbagger Report:
Fox News to broadcast 'The Path to 9/11′ fiction
Fox News to broadcast 'The Path to 9/11′ fiction
Discussion:
AMERICAblog
Kenneth P. Vogel / The Politico:
Amid Question of Flip-flopping, McCain to Back Reform Bill — Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., will sponsor a bill to strengthen campaign finance laws in this session of Congress despite vehement opposition to campaign finance reform from conservative Republican activists whose support he needs …
Andrew Klavan / Los Angeles Times:
Is Hollywood too timid for the war on terror? — Thanks to political correctness, you don't see much about the greatest conflict of our time on the big screen. — I RECENTLY attended "FBI 101," a G-man seminar for Hollywood writers. I do this kind of thing a lot: law enforcement seminars …
Julia Preston / New York Times:
Immigration Raid Draws Protest From Labor Officials — An immigration raid at a huge North Carolina pork-packing plant provoked protests yesterday from union officials, who said the company, Smithfield Foods, had collaborated with the authorities searching for illegal immigrants to discourage its workers from organizing.
Kathy Kiely / American Journalism Review:
Politico Mojo — FEBRUARY/MARCH ISSUE PREVIEW » Robert Allbritton hopes his ambitious new print and Internet ventures will lure political junkies and benefit from a fast-changing media landscape. — Kathy Kiely is a USA Today Washington correspondent.