GARBLE OF THE WEEK:
Bush Defends Social Security Plans. In his news conference yesterday, President Bush "acknowledged the dicey politics of Social Security," says the AP (1/27, Meckler), "as he urged Congress to approve his plan to add personal accounts to the system. With the system in financial straits, he said, any political price is worth paying." Bush said, "I'm looking forward to taking the case to the American people." Reuters reports Bush plans to travel the country next month to "persuade lawmakers and the public that Social Security must be changed to guarantee benefits for future retirees." Bush again "declined to be specific about how he would propose to pay for the introduction of the new system," the New York Times reports, focusing on making the case for an overhaul. Meanwhile, House Democratic leaders are "kicking off a major offensive" by instructing Democratic Members to "hold forums, write letters and mount a message campaign in the coming weeks against Republican attempts to privatize the program," Roll Call reports. Chilean Pension Program Said To Fall "Far Short" Of Intentions. The New York Times examines the Chilean private account pension program that President Bush "has cited as a model for his plans to overhaul Social Security," noting that, a quarter-century on, "Chileans are finding that it is falling far short of what was originally advertised." Bush Tells Agencies To Stop Paying Outside Commentators. President Bush "explicitly forbade" his Cabinet from paying media commentators to promote Administration policies, the New York Times reports. The AP reports Bush said, "Our agenda ought to be able to stand on its own two feet." Following on revelations that columnist Armstrong Williams was paid to talk up Bush's education reforms, both CBS and NBC reported columnist Maggie Gallagher was paid by the Department of Health and Human Services to promote Bush's marriage policies. But the Times notes Gallagher "drew a distinction between her work and that of Mr. Williams, saying she had been hired for her expertise, not to spread the views of the administration." Meanwhile, Roll Call reports a Democratic Senate bill would "permanently codify standards" to prevent such use of "taxpayer funds for 'publicity or propaganda.'" Congressional Black Caucus Urges Bush To Help Close Racial Gap. At a White House meeting, about 40 members of the Congressional Black Caucus members presented President Bush "with proposals for closing the gap between white and black Americans in health care, employment and education and said they would judge his response by weighing the State of the Union address and federal budget," the New York Times reports. Bush Lays Out Health Care Reform Plan. Speaking at the National Institutes of Health, President Bush "laid out a plan yesterday for reducing the nation's spiraling health care costs, proposing tax credits to encourage expansion of health savings accounts and calling for allowing small businesses to pool together for health coverage across state lines," the Washington Post reports. The main element of the plan would be tax-free health savings accounts. Bush, House GOP Face Off Over Immigration Policy. The New York Times reports the "battle within" the Republican Party over immigration policy "was joined" as the President "vigorously promoted his proposal for a guest worker program and conservatives in Congress introduced an alternative proposal to tighten immigration restrictions." House Judiciary Chairman James Sensenbrenner reintroduced a bill that would block illegal immigrants from obtaining driver's licenses, and said his committee "would not consider other immigration proposals, implicitly including the president's, until his own measure passed." USA Today says Sensenbrenner's comments "offer a glimpse of the contentious fight that lies ahead for President Bush in persuading Congress to pass his controversial guest-worker proposal." Rice Sworn In As Secretary Of State After 85-13 Senate Confirmation. Condoleezza Rice was sworn in as the 67th US Secretary of State after an 85-13 confirmation vote in the Senate, with Sens. Daniel Akaka, Evan Bayh, Barbara Boxer, Robert Byrd, Mark Dayton, Richard Durbin, Tom Harkin, James Jeffords, Edward Kennedy, John Kerry, Frank Lautenberg, Carl Levin, and Jack Reed voting against Rice. Media accounts differed on their interpretations of her margin of confirmation. The Washington Post said Senate Democrats "registered discontent with Bush's Iraq war policies to a degree that surprised even some of their party's leaders," and that the 13 votes in opposition were the "most negative votes cast against a nominee for that post in 180 years." But, the Washington Times reports the Senate "overwhelmingly confirmed" Rice despite "biting charges from some Democrats." The New York Times notes that, "coming after 31 American troops died Wednesday in a helicopter crash in Iraq, the vote portended intense foreign policy battles in Congress in the months ahead." Senate Judiciary Committee Approves Gonzales On Party-Line Vote. The AP (1/26) reports the Senate Judiciary Committee voted 10-8 on party lines to send the nomination of Alberto Gonzales as attorney general to the full Senate, in a vote the New York Times reports was "much closer than expected." Newsweek Online writes that while the "White House would like to chalk it up to partisan politics," the "unexpectedly narrow" vote "was really the product of deep-seated frustration among moderate Democrats over the White House counsel's refusal to answer key questions about his role in shaping legal policies for combating terrorism." CNN's Inside Politics reported that the "party line vote on the committee level signals that next Wednesday or Thursday, we are headed for another bitter floor fight, bitter debate from both sides." But the Washington Times notes that while Democrats "unanimously voted against the nomination" in committee, they "said they had no plans to filibuster him on the Senate floor." Defense Undersecretary Feith To Leave This Summer. Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Douglas Feith announced he would leave his position this summer, becoming the "highest-ranked Pentagon official to leave the administration," according to the AP . The Washington Post calls Feith a "principal architect of the Defense Department's postwar strategy in Iraq." The New York Times notes that while, in a statement, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld "called Mr. Feith 'creative, well-organized, and energetic," he "had some fierce critics." Last year, Senate Armed Services Committee ranking Democrat Carl Levin said Feith had "repeatedly described the ties between Iraq and Al Qaeda as far more significant and extensive than United States intelligence agencies had." Senate Confirms Leavitt As HHS Secretary On Voice Vote. Reuters reports the Senate confirmed outgoing EPA chief and former Utah governor Michael Leavitt as Secretary of Health and Human Services on a voice vote. Leavitt's confirmation "was nearly delayed because of the long-standing dispute over drug importation legislation. Rather than blocking Leavitt, backers of the bill agreed to let the nomination go ahead in exchange for a promise of a hearing" on a drug import bill. The Los Angeles Times (1/27) notes that Leavitt faces "significant challenges" in repairing the reputation of the FDA, dealing with Medicaid cuts, and stemming prescription drug price increases, among other issues. Senate Committee Approves Energy Nominee Bodman. Reuters reports the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee approved Energy Secretary-designate Sam Bodman's nomination, sending it on to the full Senate. Spellings Criticizes PBS Children's Show Featuring Lesbian Couple. New Education Secretary Margaret Spellings is criticizing an unaired episode of the PBS children's series "Postcards from Buster" which features an "animated bunny breaking bread with a same-sex couple," USA Today reports. The episode takes place in Vermont. PBS pulled the episode in the wake of the criticism from Spellings, but Boston station WGBH, which created the show, "will air it anyway and can provide the show to other PBS stations." Spellings wants PBS to "'strongly consider' refunding the federal money used for the episode," but a PBS official says PBS "will not refund the money but will shoot another episode." The New York Times reports that Spellings "said many parents would not want children exposed to a lesbian life style." But "Jeanne Hopkins, a spokeswoman for the show's producer, WGBH-TV of Boston, added, 'We feel it's important that we not exclude kids because of what their family structure looks like.'" Cheney Praises Nazi Death Camp Survivors, Greets New Ukrainian Leader.. Vice President Cheney yesterday honored the survivors of the Nazi death camps of Auschwitz-Birkenau and "greeted the world's newest democratic leader, Ukraine's Viktor Yushchenko, as an 'ally in freedom's cause,'" according to the Washington Post . The Vice President "did not compare the US war on terrorism to the campaign to defeat the Nazis during World War II, but a clear goal of his trip to Poland is to remind the world of the dangers of terrorism and tyranny as they exist today." The AP reports Cheney's remarks "echoed President Bush's inauguration day call to overcome tyranny and foster democratic reform across the world." The New York Times reports Cheney met "with the Polish President, Aleksander Kwasniewski, a staunch supporter of the war in Iraq who is facing increasing public pressure to bring Polish troops home." Three GOP Lawmakers Want Review Of IBM Deal With Chinese Company. The Wall Street Journal reports Republican Reps. Henry Hyde, Donald Manzullo, and Duncan Hunter asked Treasury Secretary John Snow "to extend government scrutiny of the proposed $1.25 billion sale of International Business Machines Corp.'s personal-computer division to a Chinese rival, citing potential national-security concerns." The Financial Times notes that the "opposition from Mr Hunter and Henry Hyde...could pose a serious threat to the deal." Democratic Strategist Shrum Starts "New Life" In Academia. The New York Times profiles longtime Democratic strategist Robert Shrum, who recently left politics to teach at New York University. Shrum "is dining on the ashes of defeat." For "much of his life he has thrived on the rush and excitement of politics," but now, Shrum "is starting a new life." Bush Administration Praise Boosts Sales Of Sharansky Book. The praise that President Bush and his advisers have been giving to Israeli politician Natan Sharansky's book "The Case for Democracy" has given it "an unexpected sales boost," the Wall Street Journal reports. Sharansky, a former Soviet dissident, writes that "every country can become a democracy, a key tenet of the president's inaugural address." The "presidential spotlight has translated into a surge in sales." NYTimes Reporter Accused Of Trashing Penthouse. The Washington Times reports New York Times reporter Jennifer 8. Lee "has been slapped with a $60,000 lawsuit, filed in D.C. Superior Court yesterday by her former landlord." Lee is accused "of trashing the $2,900-a-month Washington penthouse the newspaper rented for her." White House Denies Reports Jenna Bush Engaged. After media reported that Jenna Bush wore a ring to inaugural events last week, the AP reports a spokesman for First Lady Laura Bush says the Bush twin "is still single." Meanwhile, the Washington Post reports in its "The Reliable source" column that the "the tall young man who has been spotted with Jenna Bush on his arm in recent weeks" is Henry Hager, "a 26-year-old Richmonder with a Virginia political pedigree." Political News Washington GOP Says It Found 737 Illegal Votes In Governor's Race. The AP reports Washington Republicans have "discovered and verified 737 illegal votes in Washington's ultra-close governor's election, state party leaders said Wednesday." Republicans "contend that mistakes such as the counting of at least 737 illegal ballots spoiled the election to the point that the real winner can never be known. They are pushing for a new election." DA's DeLay Probe Has Texas Legislators Concerned. The AP examines Austin, Texas District Attorney Ronnie Earle's probe into House Majority Leader Tom DeLay's fundraising. The two-year investigation has led to the indictment of three DeLay associates and eight corporations, and "also has stirred rampant speculation at the state Capitol over who among the legislators might be next." Dean Said To Be The Emerging Frontrunner In DNC Chair Race. The Washington Times reports Howard Dean "is emerging as the front-runner to head the Democratic National Committee," but he "has some DNC members saying he is too liberal to broaden the party's base." Former Rep. Martin Frost is said to be "running just behind" Dean, with Simon Rosenberg of the centrist New Democrat Network third. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton "has stayed out of the DNC fight, but her husband is said to be working behind the scenes to keep Mr. Dean from being elected." Pelosi Backs Honda For DNC Vice Chairman. Roll Call reports House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi "waded into the race for Democratic National Committee vice chairman Wednesday, signing a letter backing Rep. Mike Honda (Calif.) for the post over another House Democrat," New York's Greg Meeks. Bush, Kerry Campaigns Have Nearly $23 Million Left Over. Roll Call reports the presidential campaigns of President Bush and Democratic John Kerry "still have nearly $23 million left over" in "little-used" General Election Legal and Accounting Compliance accounts. As of November 22, Bush had $15.6 million in his account, while Kerry had $7.2 million. Giuliani Raises Funds For PAC. The New York Daily News reports Rudy Giuliani is "holding a fund-raiser for his political action committee tonight" that is rumored to cost "$2,500 a head." The funds will go to "Giuliani's PAC, Solutions America" which will allow "him to stack up political chits for the future by giving money to other candidates. And keeping the PAC well-fueled allows Giuliani, who campaigned for President Bush's reelection, to stay competitive with other presidential hopefuls." District Attorney Rumored To Be In The Run Against Hillary. The New York Daily News reports that "high-profile" Westchester County District Attorney Jeanine Pirro "is considering challenging" Sen. Hillary Clinton. Pirro has "a dizzying fund-raising schedule and the enthusiastic backing of Gov. Pataki." Candidates Gear Up For Trio Of Possible Florida Open-Seat Races. Roll Call reports Florida's 9th, 11th, and 13th US House Districts, located in the Tampa area, may all see open seat races in 2006 "because their current occupants are looking toward either retirement or higher office." In the 9th CD, GOP Rep. Mike Bilirakis plans to retire, and his son, state Rep. Gus Bilirakis, is likely to seek the Republican nomination. Ex-State House Speaker Johnnie Byrd could also run, but Democrats see the district "as a golden pick-up opportunity." In the 11th, Democrat Rep. Jim Davis is "seriously considering a run for governor," and Democrats Kathy Casto, Bob Henriquez, and Les Miller are considering runs in the heavily Democratic district.. The 13th could become vacant if GOP Rep. Katherine Harris runs for Senate. Democrats Christine Jennings and Jan Schneider, and Republicans Vern Buchanan and Tramm Hudson, are potential candidates. Political Humor The Latest From Late Night Comedians. The late night comics last night joked about the Academy Awards, John Ashcroft's farewell, and the Federal deficit, among other subjects. Jay Leno: "Michael Moore announced his latest project -- a film looking at voter fraud at the Oscars." Jay Leno: "Yesterday, Attorney General John Ashcroft said his farewell to Washington. He said in retirement, he's going to do some of the things he never had a chance to do, like read the Constitution." Craig Ferguson: "Officials in Iraq are worried about the upcoming election. They think it would lead to a civil war. At this point, isn't a civil war an improvement?" Craig Ferguson: "According to the folks at the White House, the Federal budget deficit is now a whopping $427 billion. For a guy who quit drinking, President Bush surely knows how to run up a tab, didn't he?"

posted by Joshua P. Angell  @ 28.1.05

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