She told them not to do it. They asked for advice and ignored it. That, my friends, is the ultimate in bad bureaucracy.
Harman Warned against Destroying Tapes in 2003
The CIA’s initial defense for destroying the videotapes showing interrogations of Al Qaeda detainees was that they’d briefed members of Congress about their intention to do this long ago. To which, Rep. Jane Harman (D-CA), the former chair of the House intelligence committee responded: yes, we were told, and I told them not to do it. She said that she’d made that explicit in [...]
Tags: Bush Administration, CIA, Waterboarding
Categories: Bush Administration · Torture · Waterboarding
Iowa, you must remember, is just the first baby-step in the entire campaign process. True, it’s as important as a child’s first step, because it opens the door to so much more activity. The campaign is far, far, from being over.
We Really Need a Clinton-Obama Hybrid
…The topsy-turvy nature of this close three-way race says something important. Americans aren’t happy with any of them as of yet. Hillary Clinton is both boosted and harmed by her last name, boosted and harmed by her extensive experience. Barack Obama has sizzle and traffics in “hope” — but many Americans think that we need someone who’s seen it all and knows how to remain level-headed in the most dire of times. Clinton scores better than [...]
Tags: 2008 Election, Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, Iowa Caucuses
Categories: 2008 Election · Clinton · Obama
The Newshoggers brought out the crystal ball to let us share their depression. Nice of them, I thought. Just what we all need - more depressing news.
A very depressing prediction for 2008
While you’re waiting for the big countdown tonight, via Avedon here’s a link to possibly the most interesting but depressing post I’ve ever read on our economic future. Here’s one small sample. “One thing the public doesn’t get about the housing debacle is that it is not just the low point in a regular cycle — it is the end of the suburban phase of US history. We won’t be [...]
Tags: Economy, Home Sales
Categories: Economy · Housing Market
Huckabee declared the Republican winner.
Obama leading a tight, three-way, Democratic race.
UPDATE: Obama now projected the winner.
Hmmm.
Tags: Iowa Caucuses
Categories: 2008 Election
For his one minute of fame. Thanks loads, buddy!!
Fame-Seeking Trader Plotted Pushing Oil To $100
An independent trader apparently intent on securing his place in market history was responsible for oil prices briefly touching the unprecedented level of $100 a barrel - on the back of a single tiny trade, writes Javier Blas. Some observers questioned [...]
Tags: Economy, Gas Prices
Categories: Economy
It’s all about letting “bad guys” out of prison. Huck got nailed about it first; now, it’s Romney’s time in the spotlight.
Mitt Romney let 118 killers and raptists go early
The GOP curse of the 2006 elections, scandal after scandal after scandal, shows no signs of relenting. This just in from the Boston Herald, Mitt’s hometown paper: ” Some 118 killers and rapists were sprung early from prison under former Gov. Mitt Romney’s watch even as he has expressed outrage on the presidential campaign trail over [...]
Tags: Romney
Categories: 2008 Election · Romney
That’s Mike Huckabee these days - one flub after another. His excuse from last night is completely unbelievable, since bloggers and reporters were busy all day pointing out that crossing the picket line conflicted with his support of the writers…sheeesh..
Huckabee flubs the latest in a series of policy tests
Mike Huckabee appearance on the “Tonight Show” last night seems like inconsequential trivia. It’s an entertainment show; Huckabee is trying to score some 11th-hour likability points; and it’s probably a sign that the former governor’s campaign is trying to expand his base beyond religious right activists in Iowa. But the problem with the appearance is more [...]
In fact…
Unions asked Huckabee not to cross picket line.
Before former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee appeared yesterday on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, officials from the Writers Guild of America contacted his staff to “clear up any ‘confusion’” by making “it crystal clear that he was indeed crossing a picket line.” The Machinists (IAM) union, which has endorsed Huckabee, also implored him not [...]
Tags: 2008 Election, Huckabee, Iowa Caucuses
Categories: 2008 Election · Huckabee
The late-night talkers returned to TV last night, featuring politicians! Are you surprised?
Hillary on Letterman; Huckabee on Leno
There’s a big difference between Hillary’s spot on Letterman and Huckabee’s appearance on Leno. Letterman owns his production company and has signed a deal with the WGA and Leno’s producers–NBC–has not; so Huck is crossing the picket line… Mr. Huckabee on Wednesday professed his [...]
Tags: 2008 Election, Hillary Clinton, Huckabee, Iowa Caucuses
Categories: 2008 Election · Clinton · Huckabee
It’s Caucus Night in my home state of Iowa. Not that it should be as important as it has come to be, but the eyes of America are on the Hawkeye state. The quirky caucus system has captured the attention of everybody who cares about politics. Woke up this morning (early, by the way, back to the post-holiday schedule) to Morning Joe on MSNBC. The show is growing on me and they did a good job anchoring live from a coffee shop in Des Moines. A steady parade of candidates and spouses made it look like a “must” for the politicians. I’m liking the show and the chemistry among the hosts. For me, it plays much better than your standard, CNN-style, newscast.
While you’re getting set to catch the caucus updates on the tube or online, here’s how the college papers lined up for the candidates:
The Young and The Discerning
College papers in Iowa back Obama and McCain [...]
Tags: 2008 Election, Iowa Caucuses
Categories: 2008 Election · McCain · Obama
