Top Items:
Jim Rutenberg / New York Times:
Former Bush Aide Will Answer Some Questions — Sara Taylor, the former White House political director, has agreed to answer some questions as a "willing and cooperative private citizen," during testimony about the United States attorney firings last year when she appears before the Senate Judiciary Committee later today.
Discussion:
Firedoglake, TalkLeft, Washington Post, Taylor Marsh, Daily Kos, The Next Hurrah, Shakesville and If I Ran the Zoo
RELATED:
Reuters:
White House: No specific terror threat against US — The Bush administration said on Wednesday there was no specific, credible terrorism threat against the United States and denied that an emergency meeting had been called. — ABC News reported on Tuesday that the White House had called …
Discussion:
michellemalkin.com
Washington Post:
Ex-Aide Refuses to Testify on Attorney Firings — Former White House aide Sara M. Taylor refused to testify today about White House discussions surrounding the firing of nine U.S. attorneys last year, but, treading carefully around a White House claim of executive privilege, did offer some details about the episode.
Kevin Drawbaugh / Reuters:
White House threatens House student loan bill veto
White House threatens House student loan bill veto
Discussion:
Air America Radio
Avedon / Eschaton:
Thought for the day — Shouldn't it concern us that Republicans are constantly talking about how people will all wise up when the next terrorist attack at home comes? — I mean, they really seem to be looking forward to it, and they take great delight in the thought that, by God, people will see things differently when it happens.
RELATED:
Jesse Lee / The Gavel:
Chairman Thompson Responds to Chertoff's "Gut Feeling" — Yesterday Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff was reported to have made the following remarks: — Homeland Security chief warns of 'increased risk' — E.A. Torriero, Chicago Tribune - July 11, 2007
Discussion:
The Carpetbagger Report
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Christopher Lee / Washington Post:
Ex-Surgeon General Says White House Hushed Him — Former surgeon general Richard H. Carmona yesterday accused the Bush administration of muzzling him on sensitive public health issues, becoming the most prominent voice among several current and former federal science officials who have complained of political interference.
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Gardiner Harris / New York Times:
Surgeon General Sees 4-Year Term as Compromised — Former Surgeon General Richard H. Carmona told a Congressional panel Tuesday that top Bush administration officials repeatedly tried to weaken or suppress important public health reports because of political considerations.
Discussion:
TPMmuckraker, Lawyers, Guns and Money, DownWithTyranny!, The Carpetbagger Report, PoliBlog (TM), Hullabaloo, Right Wing Nut House, The Rude Pundit, KnoxViews, cab drollery, The Reaction, TBogg, Tennessee Guerilla Women, The Moderate Voice, The Democratic Daily, Wonkette, Rook's Rant, Truthdig, Blah3, The Bilerico Project, State of the Day, Roger Ailes, Daily Kos, Universal Health and Think Progress
John Solomon / Washington Post:
Gonzales Knew About Violations, Officials Say — Two senior Justice Department officials said yesterday that they kept Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales apprised of FBI violations of civil liberties and privacy safeguards in recent years. — The two officials spoke in a telephone call arranged …
Stephen Biddle / Washington Post:
Iraq: Go Deep or Get Out — The president's shaky political consensus for the surge in Iraq is in danger of collapsing after the recent defections of prominent Senate Republicans such as Richard Lugar (Ind.), Pete Domenici (N.M.) and George Voinovich (Ohio).
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Washington Post:
In GOP, Growing Friction On Iraq — Senate Dissenters Chafe at Tactics Of Party Leaders — Facing crumbling support for the war among their own members, Senate Republican leaders yesterday sought to block bipartisan efforts to force a change in the American military mission in Iraq.
Discussion:
The Reaction, The Moderate Voice, Balloon Juice, MyDD, Obsidian Wings, Middle Earth Journal and The Politico
RELATED:
Ruth Marcus / Washington Post:
From Barack Obama, Two Dangerous Words — PHILADELPHIA — Barack Obama has the teachers cheering. The National Education Association is meeting here, and Obama— like the Democratic candidates who have spoken before him — is telling the crowd everything it wants to hear.
Associated Press:
Marine Investigator Recommends Dropping Charges in Haditha Killings — SAN DIEGO — An investigating officer has recommended dismissing murder charges against a U.S. Marine accused in the slayings of three Iraqi men in a squad action that killed 24 civilians in the town of Haditha, according to a report.
USA Today:
'08 money race: Some nickel-and-diming it — WASHINGTON — Presidential candidates are using low-cost tickets to fundraisers, online contests and concerts featuring pop stars to lure a group they hope will give them an edge: donors who contribute in small amounts.
Kimberly Kagan / Opinion Journal:
Moving Forward in Iraq — The "surge" is working. Will Washington allow the current progress to continue? — In Washington perception is often mistaken for reality. And as Congress prepares for a fresh debate on Iraq, the perception many members have is that the new strategy has already failed.
Discussion:
Washington Post, TigerHawk, Betsy's Page, Rising Hegemon, Air America Radio and National Review
NEWS.com.au:
Giant badgers terrorise Iraqi port city — Decrease Increase - — From correspondents in Basra — THE Iraqi port city of Basra, already prey to a nasty turf war between rival militia factions, has now been gripped by a scary rumour - giant badgers are stalking the streets by night, eating humans.
Patrick O'Connor / The Politico:
Legal bills — Rep. Alan B. Mollohan (D-W.Va.) paid a Washington law firm more than $22,000 during the past three months, according to his most recent campaign finance report. — Last year, the FBI reportedly investigated whether the congressman had properly disclosed his real estate investment …