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Lawmakers Reach Deal To Expand Surveillance — WASHINGTON — After more than a year of partisan acrimony over government surveillance powers, Democratic and Republican leaders have agreed to a bipartisan deal that would be the most sweeping rewrite of spy powers in three decades.
Discussion:
The Crypt's Blogs, ProPublica, Redstate, Obsidian Wings, Hot Air, TPMMuckraker, Wake up America, War and Piece and Emptywheel
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George Bush's latest powers, courtesy of the Democratic Congress — (updated below - Update II - Update III) — CQ reports (sub. req.) that “a final deal has been reached” on FISA and telecom amnesty and “the House is likely to take up the legislation Friday.” I've now just read a copy of the final “compromise” bill.
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Obama, telecoms and the Beltway system — (updated below - Update II) — As noted yesterday, Blue Dog Rep. John Barrow of Georgia has been one of the most enthusiastic enablers of the radical and lawless policies of the Bush administration. When running for re-election …
Discussion:
Emptywheel, protein wisdom, Firedoglake, Crooks and Liars, TalkLeft, Corrente, Hullabaloo, Booman Tribune and Redstate
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ACLU Condemns FISA Deal, Declares Surveillance Bill Unconstitutional — Contact: (202) 675-2312 or media@dcaclu.org — Washington, DC - With news that a surveillance bill may be voted on in the House of Representatives as early as tomorrow, the American Civil Liberties Union sternly warned members against voting for the legislation.
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Obama Cuts Ad For Conservative Pro-War House Dem — Barack Obama has cut a radio spot for conservative Dem Rep. John Barrow of Georgia, who favors staying in Iraq and favors immunity for the telecom companies, and he's taking a beating from liberal bloggers over it.
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THAT'S SOME COMPROMISE — Who really thinks that the White House …
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Obama to Break Promise, Opt Out of Public Financing for General Election — In a web video to supporters — “the people who built this movement from the bottom up” — Sen. Barack Obama, D-Illinois, announced this morning that he will not enter into the public financing system, despite a previous pledge to do so.
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Obama Opts Out of Public Financing for Campaign — WASHINGTON — Senator Barack Obama announced on Thursday that he would not participate in the public financing system for presidential campaigns. He argued that the system had collapsed, and would put him at a disadvantage running …
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Obama aide blames McCain on public-financing
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Lynn Sweet, Political Punch, MSNBC, TIME.com, TPM Election Central, Taylor Marsh, Donklephant, Salon and Spin Cycle
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Rating Confusion: Is Obama a Liberal?
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No More Mister Nice Blog
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Obama: ‘Country I Love’ — This patriotic ad, in which Obama says he was raised with “values straight from the Kansas heartland,” is a reminder of the resources Obama will be able to put behind telling his own story his way, centered on the “deep and abiding faith in the country I love.”
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Commentary - Bank of America PAC money behind Dodd's Countrywide loan — WASHINGTON (Map, News) - “We call it the ‘Bank of America bill on steroids.’” A House staffer told me that, demanding anonymity, but speaking on behalf of aides to GOP members of the House Financial Services Committee.
Discussion:
Redstate
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Angelo's Angel — Give Senator Christopher Dodd credit for nerve. On Tuesday, the very day he finally admitted knowing that Countrywide Financial regarded him as a “special” customer, the Connecticut Democrat also announced that he was bringing to the Senate floor a housing bailout sure to help lenders like Countrywide.
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Oil policy may spell trouble for McCain this fall — WASHINGTON (CNN) — As he tries to woo independent voters, Sen. John McCain is relying on his image as a maverick, making it clear he's no President Bush. — But the timing of Bush's support for offshore oil drilling this week …
Discussion:
Macsmind
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In with the Old — Barack Obama has never been shy about comparing himself to Abraham Lincoln. He did so when he announced his candidacy at the Illinois state capitol, where both he and Lincoln served in the legislature. “The life of a tall, gangly, self-made Springfield lawyer tells us …
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Brian Williams is temp replacement for Russert on ‘Meet the Press’ on Sunday — NEW YORK — NBC executives decided today that “NBC Nightly News” anchor Brian Williams will host “Meet the Press” this Sunday as the network ponders a permanent replacement for moderator Tim Russert.
Discussion:
The Hill's Blog Briefing Room
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Obama and McCain Spout Economic Nonsense — Barack Obama and John McCain are busy demonstrating that in close elections during tough economic times, candidates for president can be economically illiterate and irresponsibly populist. — In Raleigh, N.C., last week, Sen. Obama promised …
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Deals With Iraq Are Set to Bring Oil Giants Back — BAGHDAD — Four Western oil companies are in the final stages of negotiations this month on contracts that will return them to Iraq, 36 years after losing their oil concession to nationalization as Saddam Hussein rose to power.
Discussion:
The Huffington Post, Hullabaloo, The Swamp, Firedoglake, Matthew Yglesias, Newshoggers.com, Managing Globalization, The Washington Independent, TPMMuckraker, Wonk Room, Facing South, War in Context, A Tiny Revolution, ECHIDNE OF THE SNAKES, Bang the Drum, Obsidian Wings, Attackerman, The Carpetbagger Report and Redstate
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FOX News Poll: Americans Proud to Have Obama, McCain as President — Whether John McCain or Barack Obama wins in November, a majority of Americans say they will be proud of the new president, according to a FOX News poll released Thursday. — About two-thirds would be at least somewhat proud …