Top Items:
Ben Smith / The Politico:
Giuliani billed obscure agencies for trips — As New York mayor, Rudy Giuliani billed obscure city agencies for tens of thousands of dollars in security expenses amassed during the time when he was beginning an extramarital relationship with future wife Judith Nathan in the Hamptons …
John R. Wilke / Wall Street Journal:
Head of Rove Inquiry in Hot Seat Himself — Bloch Used Private Company, — Geeks on Call, to Delete Files — On His Office Computer — WASHINGTON — The head of the federal agency investigating Karl Rove's White House political operation is facing allegations that he improperly …
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Paul Kiel / TPMmuckraker:
Today's Must Read — It's just not enough that a number of administration officials have been investigated for malfeasance; the Bush Administration takes it the extra mile. The man who's charged with investigating some of that malfeasance is himself under investigation. And he's clearly no slouch at malfeasance.
National Review:
NRO Exclusive: Mansoor Ijaz Details His Exchange With Romney — I spoke with Mansoor Ijaz — author of a Christian Science Monitor op-ed asserting that Mitt Romney said he would not consider Muslims to work in his Cabinet — yesterday, and we conducted the following interview by e-mail.
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Greg Sargent / TPM Election Central:
Another Witness Confirms Romney's No-Muslims Comment — I just got off the phone with another Nevada Republican who confirmed that Mansoor Ijaz's account of Mitt Romney saying he'd nix Muslims in his cabinet is accurate. — This is the first person I've spoken to who directly confirmed Ijaz's account of that particular event.
Byron York / The Corner:
South Carolina Poll: Mitt, Huck Up, Rudy Cratering, Race Super-Volatile — Greetings from Clemson, South Carolina, where John McCain is scheduled to make an appearance this morning before heading to Florida for the YouTube debate. — But the big news here is a new Palmetto Poll …
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Chris Cillizza / The Fix:
Why (and How) Huckabee Can Win Iowa — The rise of Republican presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee in the Iowa polls over the past month reveals (yet again) the incredible level of fluidity that exists in the GOP nomination fight. — The latest Washington Post-ABC News survey and a series …
Sarah Lai Stirland / Wired News:
CNN-YouTube Debate Producer Doubts the Wisdom of the Crowd — As Republican presidential contenders brace for Wednesday's CNN-YouTube debate, the executive in charge of the event is unapologetic about his decision to put mainstream journalists in charge of deciding which user-contributed YouTube videos …
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Greg Sargent / TPM Election Central:
Hillary And Obama Campaigns At War Over Bill's Iraq Comments — Bill Clinton's surprising claim yesterday that he opposed the Iraq war "from the beginning" has ignited a kind of research war between the Hillary and Obama campaigns, with both sides digging deep into the public record …
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Patrick Healy / New York Times:
Bill Clinton Flatly Asserts He Opposed War at Start — During a campaign swing for his wife, former President Bill Clinton said flatly yesterday that he opposed the war in Iraq "from the beginning" — a statement that is more absolute than his comments before the invasion in March 2003.
Discussion:
The Trail, Salon, Don Surber, Weekly Standard, The Page, Commentary, BBC, TownHall Blog, NewsBusters.org, Jules Crittenden, Maggie's Farm, Flopping Aces, Taylor Marsh, Examining Presidential …, National Review, The Atlantic Online, Captain's Quarters, Macsmind, TIME, Hotline On Call, Hot Air, Obsidian Wings, Firedoglake, Liberty Pundit, New York Sun, Right Voices, Political Radar, Dr. Sanity, Assorted Babble, The Fact Hub, The Carpetbagger Report, Death, Oliver Willis and Sister Toldjah
Associated Press:
GOP will demand 'oath' of February primary voters — RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — If you're planning to vote in Virginia's February Republican presidential primary, be prepared to sign an oath swearing your Republican loyalty. — The State Board of Elections on Monday approved a state Republican Party request …
Discussion:
The Newshoggers, The Carpetbagger Report, Shakespeare's Sister, Wonkette, TPM Election Central and Salon
CNN:
Teacher charged in teddy bear case — KHARTOUM, Sudan (CNN) — A British teacher arrested in Sudan after allowing her class to name a teddy bear "Mohammed" has been charged by authorities with offending religion, British officials say. — Gillian Gibbons, 54, is being held by police …
Faiz / Think Progress:
John Ashcroft: I'm Willing To Be Waterboarded — Last night, former Attorney General John Ashcroft delivered an address on national security at the University of Colorado. The event was marked by heated protests. About 20 student protesters wearing "shirts with 'shame' written on the backs …
Gateway Pundit:
BUSTED!!.... ANOTHER BOGUS IRAQI SLAUGHTER STORY!!! — LAY THIS BOGUS IRAQI SLAUGHTER STORY TO REST... Reportedly, on Sunday 11 close family members of Jordanian-based Baathist reporter Dia al-Kawwaz, who runs the online anti-Iraq newspaper Shabeqat Akhbar al-Iraq, were slaughtered in Baghdad.
Discussion:
BBC, Agence France Presse, Reporters Without Borders, The Jawa Report, NewsBusters.org and Hot Air
Logan Murphy / Crooks and Liars:
Turley: "It Is Rather Clear That What The President Ordered Was A Federal Crime" — The Bush administration has been using the "state secrets" defense in order to have federal law suits challenging their illegal eavesdropping programs thrown out of court. So far, they have been successful …
Kevin G. Hall / McClatchy Washington Bureau:
Democrats' health plans echo Nixon's failed GOP proposal — WASHINGTON — Even before Democratic presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton unveiled her new health-care plan, Republicans attacked it as socialized medicine. They neglected to mention, however, that her plan bears a striking resemblance …
Demetri Sevastopulo / Financial Times:
US public opinion shifts on Iraq 'surge' — US public opinion on military progress in Iraq has improved sharply since the troops "surge" started in February but a majority of Americans still want soldiers brought home, according to a new poll. — Some 48 per cent of Americans now believe …