memeorandum: Obama argues his assassination program is a “state secret” (Glenn Greenwald/Salon)

6:25 PM ET, September 25, 2010

Top Items:

Spencer S. Hsu / Washington Post:

Obama invokes ‘state secrets’ claim to dismiss suit against targeting of U.S. citizen al-Aulaqi — The Obama administration urged a federal judge early Saturday to dismiss a lawsuit over its targeting of a U.S. citizen for killing overseas, saying that the case would reveal state secrets.

Discussion: New York Times, Reuters, Raw Story, The Daily Dish and The League of Ordinary …

Glenn Greenwald / Salon:

Obama argues his assassination program is a “state secret” — At this point, I didn't believe it was possible, but the Obama administration has just reached an all-new low in its abysmal civil liberties record. In response to the lawsuit filed by Anwar Awlaki's father asking a court to enjoin …

Discussion: Unqualified Offerings and Hullabaloo

Stephen F. Hayes / Weekly Standard:

Dakota Dreaming — The presidential hopes of John Thune. — John Thune leaned forward, peered out of the small window in the 9-seat King Air 200, extended his index finger, and smiled. — “That's the Murdo airport right there.” — We'd been flying over the plains of the senator's home state …

Discussion: Eunomia, Outside the Beltway, Balloon Juice, Ben Smith's Blog, GOP 12 and Riehl World View

Mike Allen / The Politico:

Thune plans to run in 2012 — Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), the “Daschle slayer” who beat the Senate Democratic leader in 2004, is ramping up plans for a presidential run in 2012, associates say. — Thune, 49, spoke candidly about his plans for a cover story in The Weekly Standard - priceless exposure for an ambitious conservative.

Hillary Chabot / Boston Herald:

John Kerry: Democrats' woes stem from uninformed voters — It's the electorate, stupid! — A testy U.S. Sen. John F. Kerry yesterday blamed clueless voters with short attention spans for the uphill battle beleaguered Democrats are facing against Republicans across the nation.

Discussion: The Hill, Michelle Malkin, theblogprof, Weasel Zippers, Scared Monkeys, The Sundries Shack, Hot Air, Le·gal In·sur·rec· tion, Questions and Observations, Olliander and Wake up America

Noel Sheppard / NewsBusters.org:

Andrew Breitbart Nails Bill Maher: You're Not a Libertarian, You're a Socialist — Andrew Breitbart on Friday exposed Bill Maher for not being the Libertarian he claims to be, but a socialist instead. — When push came to shove, a seemingly embarrassed Maher didn't protest.

Discussion: Crooks and Liars, Hot Air, Left Coast Rebel, Gateway Pundit and Pajamas Media

A.G. Sulzberger / New York Times:

Voters Moving to Oust Judges Over Decisions — DES MOINES — After the State Supreme Court here stunned the nation by making this the first state in the heartland to allow same-sex marriage, Iowa braced for its sleepy judicial elections to turn into referendums on gay marriage.

Discussion: American Power, AMERICAblog News and National Review

Nicola Boden / Daily Mail:

Ed Miliband crowned Labour leader, beating brother David into second — Ed Miliband tonight won the Labour leadership contest, edging his older brother David into second place by the tiniest of margins. — Once regarded as the dark horse in the competition, the energy spokesman, 40 …

Discussion: Cubachi

The White House:

Weekly Address: President Obama: GOP Leadership Standing up for Outsourcing and Special Interests, Instead of American Workers — WASHINGTON - In this week's address, President Barack Obama broke with Republicans in Congress who are putting special interests ahead of the American people …

Discussion: Think Progress, White House.gov Blog Feed, Left Coast Rebel, CBS News, Washington Monthly, Gateway Pundit, Pirate's Cove and The Blaze

Mike Lillis / The Hill:
Obama slams GOP ‘Pledge’ as giveaway to millionaires, Wall Street

Discussion: The Politico and Prairie Weather

Riva Richmond / Bits:

Malware Hits Computerized Industrial Equipment — The technology industry is being rattled by a quiet and sophisticated malicious software program that has infiltrated factory computers. — The malware, known as Stuxnet, was discovered in mid July, at least several months after its creation …

Discussion: Hillicon Valley and Newshoggers.com

CNN:

Romney brings conservative message to New Hampshire — (CNN) - Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney sounded very much like a presidential candidate Saturday when he bashed President Obama and the Democratic Party in a speech he delivered in the early voting state of New Hampshire.

Discussion: The Hill and The Page

Todd Starnes:

Mrs. Obama Gives Leaders Picked Okra — In an effort to transcend cultural barriers, the White House presented visiting dignitaries with a gift in honor of the 65th annivesary of the United Nations General Assembly. — First Lady Michelle Obama offered an assortment of gifts from the White House Kitchen Garden.

Discussion: Michelle Malkin, iOwnTheWorld.com and Weasel Zippers

Bob Herbert / New York Times:

We Haven't Hit Bottom Yet — Marcus Vogt is 20 years old and homeless. Or, as he puts it, “I'm going through a couch-surfing phase.” — Mr. Vogt is a Wal-Mart employee but he was injured in a car accident and was unable to work for a couple of months. With no income and no health insurance …