Top Items:
Amanda / Think Progress:
Rep. McHenry calls U.S. soldier in Iraq a ‘two-bit security guard.’ — During a public appearance on Saturday, Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-NC) belittled a U.S. soldier in Iraq who was following orders and wouldn't let McHenry go to the gym without the proper credentials.
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Carpetbagger / The Carpetbagger Report:
Let's play, ‘Imagine If A Democrat Had Said This’ — As a rule, insulting U.S. troops trying to keep you safe in Iraq doesn't seem like an especially good idea. And yet, there was Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.), one of Congress' most right-wing members, reflecting on his recent visit to Baghdad …
Discussion:
Comments from Left Field, Debbie Schlussel, DownWithTyranny!, NY Daily News and the talking dog
Michael Goldfarb / Weekly Standard Blog:
Think Progress Screws Up Again — Last week Think Progress blogger Amanda accused John McCain of plagiarizing a speech from Admiral Timothy Ziemer only to retract the story hours later. Amanda, last name unknown, had failed to check with McCain's office before running her “exclusive,” …
Tom Maguire / JustOneMinute:
In Which I Answer A Question And Ask One — The always reliable Steve Benen of The Carpetbagger and Salon posts as follows: … Lots of lefties have joined in but let's just highlight ThinkProgress (Invent Stuff) and Oliver Willis, both of whom share Mr. Benen's confidence that the “two-bit security guard” is a US soldier.
Carolina Politics Online:
McHenry Refers to Soldier as “Two Bit Security Guard” — The comment is about 40 seconds into the video.Lance Sigmon, McHenry's primary challenger, has released the following press release:
Atrios / Eschaton:
Deep Thought — I wonder how many two-bit security guards have been killed in
Deep Thought — I wonder how many two-bit security guards have been killed in
Discussion:
Firedoglake
Think Progress:
McCain Faces ‘A Little Bit Of Heckling’ During MLK Speech — Today, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) spoke to the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in Memphis to commemorate the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. As ThinkProgress has noted, as a congressman in 1983, McCain voted against legislation creating MLK Day.
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Michael Cooper / New York Times:
McCain Sees King Speech as Chance to Mend Ties
McCain Sees King Speech as Chance to Mend Ties
Discussion:
The Swamp, Boston Globe, Pam's House Blend, Washington Wire, Wonk Room, Achenblog, The Caucus, Spin Cycle and The Page
Glenn Greenwald / Salon:
The DOJ comments on the Mukasey controversy — (updated below) — In response to the growing controversy over plainly misleading comments by Attorney General Michael Mukasey last week in San Francisco, and in response to the questions I submitted, the DOJ's Peter Carr …
Discussion:
Washington Monthly, protein wisdom, Air America Radio blogs, THE LIBERAL JOURNAL, Brian Beutler and Daily Kos
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Jeffrey M. Jones / Gallup:
No Consensus Favorite Among Republicans for McCain VP — Former rivals Huckabee, Romney most often mentioned — PRINCETON, NJ — At this early point in the process, Republicans do not have a clear favorite as to whom they would most want to see as John McCain's vice presidential running mate.
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Juan Williams / Wall Street Journal:
Obama and King — Martin Luther King Jr. died at age 39; today, the 40th anniversary of his death, is the first time he has been gone longer than he lived. — Figures such as Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton have tried to claim his place on the American stage. But at most they have achieved fame and wealth.
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Boston Globe:
McCain returns $3m in checks as he considers public funding — In another sign that John McCain is moving toward accepting public financing this fall, the Republican's campaign is returning about $3 million in checks to contributors who have given money for his general election campaign …
Discussion:
protein wisdom, Marc Ambinder, Outside The Beltway, New York Times, Real Clear Politics, TPM Election Central, MSNBC and The Page
Jason Horowitz / New York Observer:
Clinton Donors Press Dean at Fifth Avenue Bundler Summit — Leading donors to the Clinton and Obama campaigns sat down together last night with DNC chairman Howard Dean at a meeting at the Fifth Avenue apartment of super-bundlers Maureen White and Steven Rattner.
Amanda / Think Progress:
Beck Rants Against Polar Bears: 'They Eat People! For The Love Of Pete, They're Big, Angry Bears!' — Last night on his CNN Headline News show, right-wing pundit Glenn Beck hosted global warming skeptic Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK). Beck allowed Inhofe to rant about how — with “all the liberals” …
Josh Drobnyk / Morning Call:
Second poll shows Clinton's Pennsylvania lead shrinking — 49% of those asked favor her, compared with 38% for Obama. — Clinton holds an 11-point lead in Pennsylvania, down three percentage points from mid-February, according to a survey by The Morning Call/Muhlenberg College of 406 likely Democratic voters.
Eli Lake / New York Sun:
Obama Adviser Calls for Troops To Stay in Iraq Through 2010 — WASHINGTON — A key adviser to Senator Obama's campaign is recommending in a confidential paper that America keep between 60,000 and 80,000 troops in Iraq as of late 2010, a plan at odds with the public pledge of the Illinois senator …
Peter Nicholas / Los Angeles Times:
Obama cuts into Clinton's superdelegate lead — She trails him in fundraising and in pledged delegates. Now her superdelegate edge has shrunk to 30, from 87 in February. Even some who back her say they might reconsider. — WASHINGTON — Nearly three weeks remain before the next Democratic primary …
Discussion:
The Swamp
Michelle Malkin:
Absolut arrogance and the advertising agency behind the reconquista ad — You know what has been heartening the past two days as reaction to the Absolut Reconquista ad continues to pour in? The fact that so many of you still take our sovereignty seriously and are willing to give voice to your concerns without apologizing for it.
Discussion:
Tapscott's Copy Desk, L.A. Times, Perfunction, Balloon Juice, Rachel Lucas and Publius Pundit