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Mike Allen / The Politico:
Exclusive: McClellan whacks Bush, White House — Former White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan writes in a surprisingly scathing memoir to be published next week that President Bush “veered terribly off course,” was not “open and forthright on Iraq,” and took a “permanent campaign approach” …
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Elisabeth Bumiller / New York Times:
In Book, Ex-Spokesman Has Harsh Words for Bush — PHOENIX — President Bush “convinces himself to believe what suits his needs at the moment,” and has engaged in “self-deception” to justify his political ends, Scott McClellan, the former White House press secretary, writes in a critical new memoir about his years in the West Wing.
Michael D. Shear / Washington Post:
Ex-Press Aide Writes That Bush Misled U.S. on Iraq — Former White House press secretary Scott McClellan writes in a new memoir that the Iraq war was sold to the American people with a sophisticated “political propaganda campaign” led by President Bush and aimed at “manipulating sources of public opinion” …
David Dayen / Washington Monthly:
RELEASE THE MEMOIRS!... There was a hint last November that Scott McClellan's memoir was going to be unrelenting on George Bush, Karl Rove and the gang, but that was quickly dismissed as overhyped. The book is now on the verge of being released, and in fact was on sale over the weekend at D.C.-area bookstores.
Discussion:
Balloon Juice
Roger Simon / The Politico:
Dems seek to avoid meltdown — Those people who believe all problems have solutions may be unfamiliar with the inner workings of the Democratic Party. — On Saturday, the party's Rules and Bylaws Committee will try to solve a big problem, in order to avoid a huge problem in order to prevent a train wreck.
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Nedra Pickler / Associated Press:
Dem lawyers: Fla., Mich. can't be fully restored — WASHINGTON - A Democratic Party rules committee has the authority to seat some delegates from Michigan and Florida but not fully restore the two states as Hillary Rodham Clinton wants, according to party lawyers.
CNN:
RNC hits Obama over Auschwitz claim, Obama camp responds — (CNN) — The Republican National Committee accused Barack Obama Tuesday of a lack of judgment after the Illinois senator mistakenly said that his uncle helped liberate the Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz while serving in the American military during World War II.
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Ben Smith / Ben Smith's Blogs:
Obama's World War II history
Obama's World War II history
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ABCNEWS:
Al Qaeda Supporters' Tape to Call for Use of WMDs — Authorities: New Tape to Urge Use of Weapons of Mass Destruction on Civilians — Intelligence and law enforcement sources tell ABC News they are expecting al Qaeda supporters will post a new video on the Internet in the next 24 hours …
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Boston Globe:
Dunkin' Donuts yanks Rachael Ray ad — Does Dunkin' Donuts really think its customers could mistake Rachael Ray for a terrorist sympathizer? The Canton-based company has abruptly canceled an ad in which the domestic diva wears a scarf that looks like a keffiyeh, a traditional headdress worn by Arab men.
David Boaz / Wall Street Journal:
Our Collectivist Candidates — On Sunday Barack Obama urged graduates of Connecticut's Wesleyan University to devote themselves to “collective service.” This is not an unusual theme for a commencement address. But it was interesting how long he went on discussing various kinds …
StrategyPage:
Al Qaeda Discusses Losing Iraq — Al Qaeda web sites are making a lot of noise about “why we lost in Iraq.” Western intelligence agencies are fascinated by the statistics being posted in several of these Arab language sites. Not the kind of stuff you read about in the Western media.
Allahpundit / Hot Air:
Obama rejects McCain's proposal for a joint trip to Iraq — Even more amusing than Maverick's savviness in forcing this choice on him is TPM straining to spin it as some sort of manifestation of principle — a standard Obama reaction whenever he weasels out of some tough decision …
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Lanny Davis / The Huffington Post:
Four Things the Obama Campaign Couldn't Resist Doing To Anger Clinton Supporters — The follow are four things that the Obama campaign couldn't resist doing to anger Clinton supporters, supporters that Sen. Obama needs in the general election if — if — he is the nominee.
Discussion:
The Mahablog, No More Mister Nice Blog, Too Sense, Matthew Yglesias, Hot Air, Tom Watson, Bang the Drum and Wonkette
Susan Crabtree / The Hill:
FBI interviews Arizona staffers — Federal agents interviewed staffers for likely Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain (Ariz.) as part of their corruption case against Rep. Rick Renzi (R-Ariz.). — U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona Diane J. Humetewa and fellow prosecutors disclosed …
Wisam Mohammed / Reuters:
Iraq's main Sunni bloc suspends government talks — BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraq's main Sunni Arab political bloc said on Wednesday it had suspended talks to rejoin the Shi'ite-led government after a disagreement with Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki over a cabinet post.
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Newshoggers.com
Haig Simonian / Financial Times:
UBS tells unit staff to avoid US visits — UBS has told members of its former private banking team responsible for rich US clients not to travel to America. — The Swiss bank has also made lawyers available to the more than 50 bankers involved, many of whom have left UBS since it decided …
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