Top Items:
Steven Thomma / McClatchy Washington Bureau:
Thompson gets mixed reviews in New Hampshire premiere — BEDFORD, N.H. — When Fred Thompson made his debut on the presidential stage here this week, he left some Republicans thinking he needs more work before his nascent campaign matches the media hype it's gotten in advance.
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Politico Partners / The Politico:
State of the States: Fred rising — This week, Politico.com introduces a roundup of what's happening on the campaign trail in the critical early-voting states of Nevada, New Hampshire and South Carolina. — Each week, local reporters with the best knowledge of the lay of the land …
CBS News:
Poll: Calls To Get Out Of Iraq Escalate — 77% In CBS News Poll Say War's Going Badly, 40% Urge Withdrawal Of All U.S. Troops — (CBS) A CBS News poll shows Americans are increasingly dissatisfied with the Iraq war, President Bush and the Congress, as well as the overall direction of the country.
Discussion:
protein wisdom, The Moderate Voice, Talking Points Memo, The Next Hurrah and Pollster.com
New York Times:
Questions About a Governor's Fall — It is extremely disturbing that Don Siegelman, the former governor of Alabama, was hauled off to jail this week. There is reason to believe his prosecution may have been a political hit, intended to take out the state's most prominent Democrat …
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Dani Rodrik / Dani Rodrik's weblog:
Nuggets from the Pew survey — The new Pew survey of global attitudes is full of interesting findings. Here is one that I think might be surprising. Respondents thought that the influence of China on their country is more positive than that of the United States in virtually all countries surveyed …
Discussion:
The Huffington Post
James Kirkup / Scotsman:
Police hunt Iraqi on run after double bomb plot in London — POLICE were last night hunting an Iraqi, suspected of plotting car-bomb attacks in Britain, who went on the run just days before two vehicles packed with petrol, gas and nails were found in central London.
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Laura Wides-Munoz / Associated Press:
Sen. Martinez slams immigration bill opponents, challenges them to act — LAKE BUENA VISTA — The Chairman of the Republican Party on Friday lambasted Democrats and Republicans who helped kill an immigration bill in the Senate and challenged them to come up with a solution beyond ``just build a fence along the border.''
Media Matters for America:
Media Matters; by Jamison Foser — Why pay the bigot when you can get the bile for free? — In 1996, MSNBC hired Ann Coulter as a contributor. The Washington Post later quoted an MSNBC official describing Coulter's performance: "What she said was so outrageous she was immediately put on probation, and the next one was even worse."
Discussion:
Firedoglake
Digby / Hullabaloo:
Obstruct The Obstructionists — I know everyone is probably headed out for the holiday, but if you have time for one more thing, read this post by Robert Borosage of the Campaign For America's Future: … This is important for setting the terms of the debate as well as actually getting some of these initiatives off the ground.
Discussion:
Campaign for America's Future
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Bob Geiger:
The Saturday Cartoons — We have two animations today. The first is by Mark Fiore, featuring Dick Cheney with his "Commandments of Secrecy." — Click on the screenshot above or go here to see it. — And here's Pulitzer Prize winner Ann Telnaes with a short clip poking more fun at Shotgun Dick:
Discussion:
Firedoglake
New York Times:
China Passes a Sweeping Labor Law — China's legislature passed a sweeping new labor law today that strengthens protections for workers across its booming economy, rejecting pleas from foreign investors who argued the measure would reduce China's appeal as a low-wage, business-friendly investment destination.
Greg Jaffe / Wall Street Journal:
Critiques of Iraq War Reveal Rifts Among Army Officers — Colonel's Essay Draws — Rebuttal From General; — Captains Losing Faith — Last December, Lt. Col. Paul Yingling attended a Purple Heart ceremony for soldiers injured in Iraq. As he watched the wounded troops collect their medals …
Associated Press:
Farfour Mouse dies in last episode — Hamas TV on Friday broadcast what it said was the last episode of a weekly children's show featuring "Farfour," a Mickey Mouse look-alike who had made worldwide headlines for preaching Islamic domination and armed struggle to youngsters.
Ken Silverstein / Los Angeles Times:
Undercover, under fire — The Washington press corps is too busy cozying up to the people it covers to get at the truth. — EARLIER THIS YEAR, I put on a brand-new tailored suit, picked up a sleek leather briefcase and headed to downtown Washington for meetings with some of the city's most prominent lobbyists.
Discussion:
Economist's View
Politics / Washington Post:
For Romney, a Fundraising Drop-Off — Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney, who led Republican candidates in money raised during the first three months of the presidential race with $21 million, told top fundraisers yesterday that his campaign will bring in less during the second quarter …
Gateway Pundit:
Michael Moore's Wish For America.. Cuban Healthcare (Photos) — The Sick "Sicko" Propaganda... Yahoo defines "Sicko" as a documentary in the Politics/Religion genre. Truly, the socialism pushed in the movie is nothing short of a religion to many. — "Sicko" the movie, is opening this week to rave reviews by the Left.
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Christina Shelton / Washington Post:
Iraq, al-Qaeda and Tenet's Equivocation — On Aug. 15, 2002, I presented my part of a composite Pentagon briefing on al-Qaeda and Iraq to George Tenet, then CIA director. In his recent book, "At the Center of the Storm," Tenet wrote that I said in opening remarks that "there is no more debate …
Discussion:
Captain's Quarters
Brent Budowsky / The Hill:
Brown v. Board of Education, Roe v. Wade Are in Mortal Peril — The United States Supreme Court is moving to reverse long-cherished American notions of constitutional law. — The divisions that plague American society have invaded the sanctity of the court, with angry dissents …
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Juan Cole / Informed Comment:
Bush Turns Iraq into Israel/Palestine; — Gaffe endangers US Troops — Bush said in a speech on Thursday that he hopes Iraq will be like Israel, a democracy that faces terrorist violence but manages to retain its democratic character: … These words may be the stupidest ones ever uttered by a US president.
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