Top Items:
Spencer Ackerman / The Washington Independent:
Biden Punks Crocker: ‘I Would Therefore Pick Al Qaeda on The Afghanistan-Pakistan Border’ — There was once a blog called Joe Biden Is Thugged Out. (I swear this is true.) Biden just proved why. He asked Ryan Crocker, who used to be ambassador to Pakistan, whether it would be better …
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Dday / Hullabaloo:
Joe Biden Just Obliterated Every Administration Argument About Iraq — That was a very significant moment at the Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearings with Amb. Ryan Crocker and Gen. David Petraeus. Joe Biden asked Amb. Crocker where it would be better for American national security interests …
Ali / Think Progress:
McCain seems confused about al Qaeda again, suggests it's a 'sect of Shi'ites.' — During today's hearing with Gen. David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) questioned Petraeus on what he called “the major threat” of al Qaeda in Iraq.
Discussion:
democracyarsenal.org, Comments from Left Field, I Am TRex, Democratic National Committee, The Reaction, The Carpetbagger Report, The Huffington Post, The Mahablog, Blue Girl, Red State, Pajamas Media, Commentary, Marc Ambinder, michellemalkin.com, CNN, Trailhead, Firedoglake, Crooks and Liars, Taylor Marsh, The Swamp, Macsmind, AMERICAblog and Salon
New York Times:
Petraeus Urges 45-Day Halt in Weighing New Iraq Troop Cuts — WASHINGTON — Telling Congress that progress in Iraq was “fragile and reversible,” the top American commander recommended Tuesday that consideration of any new drawdowns of American troops be delayed until the fall …
Discussion:
American Power, FP Passport, The Moderate Voice, FITSNews For Now, QandO, The Lede, Crooks and Liars, American Street, The Caucus and Truthdig
David Petraeus / Real Clear Politics:Gen. Petraeus' Testimony to the Senate Armed Services Comm.
Discussion:
The Belmont Club
Paul J. Nyden / Charleston Gazette:
Jay defends endorsement of Sen. Obama — Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., defended his decision to make an endorsement in the race for president during an interview with Gazette editors on Monday. — Rockefeller said some have criticized him for endorsing Sen. Barack Obama before the West Virginia primary in May.
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Fox News:
After Rockefeller Insult, McCain Camp Claims Obama Won't Shut Down Campaign Smears — John McCain is making the claim that Barack Obama seems unwilling to personally condemn the controversial remarks of supporters and prominent Democrats after Sen. Obama relied Tuesday on a campaign spokeswoman …
John McCain / CNN:
McCain campaign says Obama team's apology falls short — (CNN) - John McCain's campaign said an apology from Barack Obama's team for comments from West Virginia Sen. Jay Rockefeller, who supports the Illinois senator's presidential bid, were not enough, calling for a response from the candidate himself.
Discussion:
New York Times, The Carpetbagger Report, Comments from Left Field, NewsBusters.org and TownHall Blog
Costas Panagopoulos / The Politico:
Obama supporter Oprah takes a big dive — Much hay was made nearly a year ago when Oprah Winfrey announced that she would support — and campaign for — Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama. Her effect in boosting support for Obama in early primary and caucus states like Iowa …
Townhall.com:
Joe Klein from Time Magazine on Barack Obama's positions. — HH: Joined now by Joe Klein of Time Magazine, knows all, sees all, comments on all from Time Magazine, sometimes at their blog, the Swamp[land], often in his column. Joe, welcome back, good to have you on the Hugh Hewitt Show.
Discussion:
Think Progress
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The Tartan Online:
Michelle Obama speaks at presidential rally in Skibo Gym — Only a week after her husband drew throngs to Soldiers and Sailors, Michelle Obama wooed a small crowd at Skibo Gymnasium on Wednesday. — Skibo's risers were packed with community members and students from many of Pittsburgh's universities.
Mary Ann Akers / The Sleuth:
Grover Norquist Endorses Condi Rice for Veep — No speaker goes to conservative activist Grover Norquist's Wednesday breakfast meeting without a purpose. And so it was with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice two weeks ago when she convinced a rapt audience — without even raising the possibility …
Discussion:
The Trail, Political Radar, Top of the Ticket, The Raw Story, Below The Beltway and Donklephant
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Joseph Abrams / Fox News:
Report: Jimmy Carter to Meet With Hamas Leader in Syria — NEW YORK CITY — Former President Jimmy Carter is reportedly preparing an unprecedented meeting with the leader of Hamas, an organization that the U.S. government considers one of the leading terrorist threats in the world.
Wall Street Journal:
The Coming Tax Bomb — As the presidential campaign enters its final stages, there will be increased debate over budget priorities and how they will be paid for. Many commentators and political leaders, including Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, believe that tax increases are needed …
Discussion:
Capital Gains and Games blogs, Say Anything, WILLisms.com, Angry Bear, Babalu Blog, Club for Growth and The Jawa Report
Reuters:
Absolut vodka pulls ad showing California in Mexico — MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - The distillers of Sweden's Absolut vodka have withdrawn an advertisement run in Mexico that angered many U.S. citizens by idealizing an early 19th century map showing chunks of the United States as Mexican.
Glenn Greenwald / Salon:
Lee Hamilton denies Michael Mukasey's claim about 9/11 — I just received the following statement from the Vice Chairman of the 9/11 Commission, Rep. Lee Hamilton, in response to my inquiries last week (and numerous follow-up inquiries from readers here) about Attorney General Michael Mukasey's claims …
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