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July 31, 2005

Two More Days

It's just two more days until the special election for Congress in Ohio's 2nd district. Democratic candidate and Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran Paul Hackett is running a great race.

Check out the Swing State Project for all the latest news on this down-to-the-wire race, including revelations that Republican candidate Jean Schmidt lied to the public about not having met Tom Noe, the big Republican donor at the center of the Ohio coin scandal.

Open Thread

Here's a fresh one.

July 30, 2005

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Happy Saturday...

July 29, 2005

Bush Justice Nominee Has Abramoff Ties

From DNC Research:

Talk about a fox guarding the hen house. Timothy E. Flanigan, Bush's pick to be Deputy Attorney General, admitted to a Senate committee that he worked with Washington superlobbyist Jack Abramoff, who is currently under investigation by the Senate. Before being nominated, Flannigan was a chief counsel at Tyco International (a story in itself) where he supervised Abramoff's work for the firm as a lobbyist.

In typical Bush stonewall fashion, Flanigan refused to answer questions about his work at Tyco. Here's what we know thanks to the Los Angeles Times:

In 1997 Tyco moved its headquarters to Bermuda, which according to Tyco estimates, saved the company $400 million a year in United States taxes. In 2002 Democratic Representatives Richard E. Neal (D-MA) and James H. Maloney (D-CT) introduced bills that would have rightfully slammed these Benedict Arnold companies with tax penalties. Standing to lose hundreds of millions, Tyco called in the big guns. In 2003 and 2004 the company paid Abramoff and his firm $1.7 million to lobby the House, Senate and the President on "government contracts legislation" and "tax and trade legislation." Tyco's investment paid off when the bill was blocked from a vote in the House by the Republican leadership in 2003.

Now Flannigan wants to help run the Department of Justice, which is currently investigating Abramoff and his cronies for corruption. What would posses Bush to choose this controversial nominee? Maybe it's the fact that he volunteered his legal expertise for the Bush campaign during the 2000 Florida recount. Payback anyone?

Bolton Lied to Congress

Rumors are swirling that President Bush plans to give John Bolton a recess appointment as United Nations ambassador when Congress takes its August recess, bypassing the Senate confirmation process that Bush himself has held up by refusing to release relevant documents about Bolton's record.

Now we learn that John Bolton is not only embroiled in the CIA leak scandal, but that he lied about it to Congress. Bolton said on a Senate questionnaire that he hasn't been involved in any investigations in the last five years, when in fact he was

interviewed by the State Department inspector general as part of a joint investigation with the Central Intelligence Agency into prewar Iraqi attempts to buy nuclear materials from Niger.

Bolton also testified in front of the grand jury investigating the leak.

It's more clear than ever that Bolton isn't the right man for the job of representing the United States at the UN.

Frist Torn in Two Directions

It's nice to see that Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) has finally decided to join Democrats and the vast majority of Americans in supporting stem-cell research.

Frist's decision is the opportunistic flip-flop of someone who has already set his sights on the 2008 White House race, and is the perfect example of the schism threatening to tear the Republican Party apart.

Keep in mind, this is the same Bill Frist who misdiagnosed Terri Schiavo on the Senate floor from a videotape. It's the same Bill Frist who said he "didn't know" if the AIDS virus could be transmitted through sweat and tears. His tenure as Senate Majority Leader has been defined by this kind of fealty to the far right wing of the Republican Party.

Now with his flip-flop on stem cell research, we can see Frist torn in two directions. As he gears up to run for president, he's trying to balance his support for right-wing extremists with support for commonsense policies like stem cell research, so that he doesn't appear too far out of the mainstream.

With the GOP firmly in the hands of the far right wing, Frist's problem is one that more and more Republicans -- especially those running for president in 2008 -- are going to see.

Down to the Wire

Fantastic Hackett article in today's Cincinnati Enquirer...

In a sign that the 2nd Congressional District race might be tight, the National Republican Congressional Committee has dumped more than $500,000 into a TV ad campaign attacking Democrat Paul Hackett.

...

"It just shows that they know this is a real race and they're worried," said Hamilton County Democratic Party Chairman Tim Burke. "They ought to be."

...

Hackett has benefited from a surge of online support in the last week that has brought in, as of Thursday, an estimated $303,000 from more than 5,000 small campaign contributors through a Democratic group called ActBlue.com.

The online buzz for Hackett started last week when Democracy for America, the group founded by Democratic Party Chairman Howard Dean endorsed Hackett's campaign in an e-mail to supporters, calling on them to contribute.

Several other liberal-leaning political Web logs, called blogs, urged their readers to contribute to Hackett on July 19, in honor or Blogosphere Day. On that date in 2004, online campaign contributions for Ginny Schrader, a Democratic congressional candidate in Pennsylvania, raised $25,000.

Hackett's online contributions, which increase each minute, surpassed the money raised for Schrader in the first day and continue to grow.

"This has never been done for a congressional candidate before at this level," said Tim Tagaris, a blogger who writes for Ohio Rep. Sherrod Brown's GrowOhio.org blog and, separately, SwingStateProject.com, one of the Web sites that urged online readers to support Hackett.

Hackett's on-line contributions have enabled him to spend far more money than any Democratic candidate in the historically Republican district.

Email volunteer@hackettforcongress.com if you can be on the ground at any point between now and Tuesday. At this stage in the game, volunteers matter most.

Open Thread

For the day...

July 28, 2005

Hackett On Hardball

Tonight, 7pm Eastern, MSNBC. Thanks to Atrios.

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For the day...

John Roberts Roundup

Here are a few pieces worth reading on Supreme Court nominee John Roberts today:

• The New York Times looks at Roberts' record in the Reagan administration and finds that he was often more conservative than many of the conservative luminaries of the day, like Theodore Olsen.
• That might explain why Republican Senator Olympia Snowe of Maine hasn't decided yet whether she'll support the nomination even after meeting with Roberts. Like Democrats, Snowe knows it's up to Roberts to demonstrate that he'll put ideology aside on the bench.
• Senate Democrats have put up a form where you can submit questions to Roberts for them to ask during the upcoming hearings.

July 27, 2005

Open Thread

For the evening...

Rove Lied When He Leaked Covert Agent's Identity

Robert Novak knew that Valerie Plame's identity should not be revealed and knew she did not arrange for husband Joe Wilson's fact-finding trip to Niger, according to a former CIA spokesman who testified in the CIA leak probe, according to today's Washington Post.

In his testimony to the grand jury investigating the leak, Bill Harlow, a former spokesman for the CIA, said that he told Novak three days before Novak published a column revealing Valerie Plame's identity that he should not use Plame's name and that Plame did not authorize Wilson's fact-finding trip to Niger.

Harlow's testimony puts the lie to the Republican claim that Karl Rove was only trying to correct reporters' stories when he leaked Valerie Plame's identity to them. RNC Chairman Ken Mehlman claimed that Rove "tried to discourage a reporter from writing a story that was false." But in fact, Rove was working to discredit Wilson by suggesting to reporters that his wife was the one who authorized the trip.

President Bush and the White House continue to refuse to answer questions about the leak, and Bush has yet to fulfill his promise of firing anyone involved in leaking classified information.

Keep reading "Rove Lied When He Leaked Covert Agent's Identity"

Reporters Profile Hackett's Race

The New York Times profiles the race in Ohio's Second District today...

In the Second Congressional District of Ohio, which Republicans have controlled for the last two decades, the quickest route to political oblivion could be the one chosen by Paul L. Hackett: calling President Bush a "chicken hawk" for not serving in Vietnam and harshly criticizing the decision to invade Iraq.

But Mr. Hackett, the Democratic candidate in the Aug. 2 special Congressional election, is not an ordinary politician. Until four months ago, he was serving in the Marines, commanding a civil affairs unit in Iraq.

If Mr. Hackett is elected, he will become the first member of Congress to have served in the Iraq war. That alone has helped Mr. Hackett, a 43-year-old lawyer, unexpectedly turn this potential walkover into a sharply contested race.

The article goes on to describe Hackett's unique appeal...

But Todd Schulte, a Republican, said Mr. Hackett's service had caused him to consider voting Democratic on Aug. 2.

Mr. Schulte, a 40-year-old business owner, happened on Mr. Hackett's event in Blue Ash and was impressed with the candidate's decision to volunteer for Iraq.

"He's got a wife, kids and a good job but he's not sitting in the back row," Mr. Schulte said. "That gives me something to think about."

Salon.com profiled the race yesterday, and was particuarly good about highlighting Hackett's service in Iraq and his response to those who question his opposition to the war...

Schmidt commends Hackett for his service, but believes Hackett should "stand with the president" by "supporting the Iraqi war effort and our troops that are over there," her campaign manager Joe Braun said. (Through Braun, Schmidt declined to speak with Salon.) When asked to answer that charge, Hackett is blunt: "The only way I know how to support the troops is by going over there." He doesn't hesitate to criticize Schmidt's support of the war: "All the chicken hawks back here who said, 'Oh, Iraq is talking bad about us. They're going to threaten us' -- look, if you really believe that, you leave your wife and three kids and go sign up for the Army or Marines and go over there and fight. Otherwise, shut your mouth."

If you're in the area and you're interested in volunteering, send an email to volunteer@hackettforcongress.com and they'll get back to you with details. We're in the last week, so every set of hands matters.

Keep reading "Reporters Profile Hackett's Race"

Open Thread

Too hot to think...

July 26, 2005

Cincinnati Post Endorses Hackett

The Cincinnati Post endorsed Democrat Paul Hackett for Ohio's 2nd District seat today...

We like Hackett's candor. We're impressed with the freshness of his ideas. We believe his experience shows him to be someone who is action-oriented.

We endorse Hackett for the 2nd District seat.

A great way to kick off the last week of the campaign...

Open Thread

The comments should be fixed. Again, very sorry for any problems. Leave any errors in this thread and we'll check them out...

July 25, 2005

Open Thread

We know there's still a problem with comments displaying. The solution is forthcoming. We know why it's happening, but we're not quite sure how to fix it just yet. I'm hoping it'll be back up by noon eastern tomorrow. Really sorry, folks.

Comments

We're aware of the problems and we're working to fix it. The tech folks are on it right now. Really sorry for the bugs, folks.

Things Are Heating Up In Ohio

It was a big weekend in Southwestern Ohio. With the special election just over a week away, hundreds of volunteers showed up to knock on doors and talk with voters in Ohio's second district. Tim Tagaris over at Grow Ohio has photos and video from the weekend.

Meanwhile, the Cincinnati Enquirer has been covering the race heavily. Last Thursday, Senator Max Cleland made a stop in the district (photo) and helped rally local veterans. Yesterday, the Enquirer ran a glowing profile of Hackett...

This time last year, life was good for Paul Hackett - his law practice was thriving and he and his wife, Suzi, were happy raising their three young children in a 200 year-old red brick home in Indian Hill.

Then he volunteered to go to Iraq, to help fight a war he believed should never have happened.

"I had a nonstop ringing in my ears telling me to go back and serve," said the 43-year-old Hackett, now the Democratic candidate for Congress in the Aug 2 special election. "I had to make it stop."

Hackett had left the Marine Corps in 1999, after nearly 16 years on active duty and reserve status. He had earned the oak leaf cluster of a major on his uniform. But, in the summer of 2004, after long talks with his wife, he decided to re-enlist, volunteering to lead a civil affairs unit in Iraq.

"They needed a guy like me who had the background and who could get retrofitted pretty quickly," Hackett said.

Now, we're not delusional here. This is a very red district. But, if we don't fight there now - and continue to fight there in the future - that gap is only going to widen. The ideas behind the 50-state strategy are the same ideas behind this campaign. With races like this, we gain ground. Bad habits are hard to break, and voting Republican is certainly a bad habit. A candidate like Paul Hackett - a former Marine who served in Iraq after nearly 16 years of military service - is running against a candidate that represents so much of what is wrong with politics and public service today. The difference is dramatic and real, and voters know it. The question that will be answered next Tuesday is: can they quit cold-turkey?

As Governor Dean has said: "If you lose, so what? It's worth the investment if we can have somebody there who gives the message, who's articulate and ... respectful of the voters, because they'll get a better impression of Democrats than they would otherwise."

The thing is, we've still got a week before anyone votes...

Republicans Desperate to Minimize Importance of Leak

First, Republicans tried to defend Karl Rove and "Scooter" Libby by saying that Valerie Plame wasn't a covert agent, so revealing her identity wasn't a crime. But now that it's clear Plame was a covert agent, Republicans are trying a new tactic: saying she shouldn't have been covert.

And they're using your tax dollars and the power of the Congress to do it. Sen. Pat Roberts (R-KS), chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, says he will hold hearings to investigate the use of covert status by the CIA.

This just shows how desperate Republicans are getting. Roberts' hearings are a last-ditch effort to minimize the important of the leak. But it is more clear now than ever before that the leak of Valerie Plame's identity to reporters was a serious breach of security, and it's time for President Bush to do something about it.

Open Thread

Happy Monday...

July 23, 2005

Weekly Radio Address: Larry Johnson on Valerie Plame

It isn't often we let a Republican give the weekly Democratic Radio Response, but we thought everyone should hear Larry Johnson's story. You can click here to listen or read the text below.

Keep reading "Weekly Radio Address: Larry Johnson on Valerie Plame"

WaPo and LA Times on Perjury

The Washington Post and L.A. Times write about the perjury charges Karl Rove and Scooter Libby could now be facing...

The Post:

Special prosecutor Patrick J. Fitzgerald has been reviewing over the past several months discrepancies and gaps in witness testimony in his investigation of the unmasking of CIA operative Valerie Plame, according to lawyers in the case and witness statements.

Fitzgerald has spent considerable time since the summer of 2004 looking at possible conflicts between what White House senior adviser Karl Rove and vice presidential staff chief I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby told a grand jury and investigators, and the accounts of reporters who talked with the two men, according to various sources in the case.

The L.A. Times:

The special prosecutor in the CIA leak investigation has shifted his focus from determining whether White House officials violated a law against exposing undercover agents to determining whether evidence exists to bring perjury or obstruction of justice charges, according to people briefed in recent days on the inquiry's status.

Differences have arisen in witnesses' statements to federal agents and a grand jury about how the name of Valerie Plame, a CIA agent, was leaked to the press two years ago.

According to lawyers familiar with the case, investigators are comparing statements by two top White House aides, Karl Rove and I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, with testimony from reporters who have acknowledged talking to the officials.

Open Thread

Hot Saturday here in DC...

July 22, 2005

Fleischer, Bolton May Be Involved In CIA Leak

MSNBC is reporting that Ari Fleischer and John Bolton may be involved in the CIA Leak scandal. As laid out in a very good on-air report for Hardball...

A witness who testified at the grand jury and lawyers for other witnesses say the memo was written in July of 2003, identified Valerie Wilson, also known as Valerie Plame, as a CIA officer, and cited her in a paragraph marked S for sensitive.

According to lawyers, former Secretary of State Colin Powell and undersecretaries, including John Bolton, gave testimony about this memo. And a lawyer for one State Department official says his client testified that, as President Bush was flying to Africa on Air Force One two years ago, Press Secretary Ari Fleischer could be seen reading the document on board.

The timing is significant, because the president's trip on July 7 was one day after Ambassador Joe Wilson's column was published criticizing the administration. In other words, on July 6, Wilson's column comes out. On July 7, the State Department memo about Wilson's wife is seen on Air Force One. And, on July 8, Karl Rove had a conversation with columnist Robert Novak, but says it was Novak who told him about Valerie Plame, not the other way around.

Rove also says he never saw the State Department memo until prosecutors showed it to him. Six days later, on July 14, 2003, Novak published the now infamous column that publicly identified Valerie Plame, Wilson's wife, as a CIA operative.

Grand jury witnesses say a call record kept by Ari Fleischer shows Novak placed a call to him during this period. And lawyers for several witnesses say their clients were questioned by investigators about Fleischer's conversations. Fleischer, however, did not have the power to be a decision-maker in the administration. And White House observers point out, he wouldn't have likely taken it upon himself to disseminate the State Department memo. In any case, Fleischer and his lawyer have declined to comment.

As far as Karl Rove is concerned, a recent line of questioning about him suggests the grand jury may be pursuing issues related to possible inconsistencies. For weeks, Karl Rove's lawyer has been saying the now deputy White House chief of staff testified his 2003 conversation with "TIME" magazine reporter Matt Cooper was about welfare reform and, only at the end of that discussion, did Rove talk about anything else.

Matt Cooper recalls leaving Karl Rove a message about welfare reform. But Cooper testified that, when he and Karl Rove spoke, Joe Wilson was the only topic of conversation. Cooper says this contradiction with Rove, combined with his testimony that Rove told him about the Wilson's CIA wife, prompted a flurry of grand jury questions. And Cooper told NBC's Tim Russert the grand jurors themselves played an active role.

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Evening thread...

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It's Friday...

Rove and Libby: Perjurers?

Bloomberg is reporting today that White House Deputy Chief of Staff Karl Rove and Cheney's Chief of Staff Lewis "Scooter" Libby gave testimony to the grand jury investigating the CIA leak scandal that directly contradicts accounts given by reporters.

Libby told the special prosecutor, Patrick Fitzgerald, that NBC's Tim Russert was the first person to tell him about Valerie Plame's identity as a covert CIA operative. Karl Rove said he first heard about Plame's identity from conservative columnist Robert Novak, who was the first person to reveal her identity to the public.

But Russert testified that he didn't tell Libby about Plame, and Novak gave a different story than Rove's to the special prosecutor.

Republicans have built their defenses of Karl Rove around the argument that he didn't violate the exact letter of the law in revealing Valerie Plame's identity. But perjury is a much simpler matter.

If Rove and Libby did give false testimony to the grand jury, then there is no question that they committed a crime. Will President Bush finally keep his promise to fire anyone who was involved in leaking Valerie Plame's identity?

Keep reading "Rove and Libby: Perjurers?"

July 21, 2005

Overcrowding

Posted for Fred Baldassaro, who travels with Governor Dean around the country

The Governor and I had the best time on our recent Western swing. I was blown away by the crowds. Everywhere we went, hundreds of people turned out to hear what we had to say.

You already know about the Madison event, but like a snowball rolling down a hill, the crowds kept building. Over 125 people turned out for a picnic event the next day in Golden, Colorado and about 300 people came to see the Gov in Denver that evening.

A good Dem by the name of Albert played "Happy Days Are Here Again" on the clarinet as we walked into the rally in Denver and I think the choice of music was very fitting. Even though some of these states are so-called red states, many Western states used to be controlled by Dems, it's just a question of getting them back. And the work is already underway, as the Gov said to the Denver folks: "Coloradans turned Colorado from red to purple and the DNC is going to help you turn it from purple to blue."

Keep reading "Overcrowding"

'S' Stands for 'Secret'

In their attempt to muddy the waters and confuse people, many Republicans have suggested that even if Karl Rove leaked Valerie Plame's identity, her information wasn't really secret. Well, now the Washington Post has obtained a document that proves that information about her was, in fact, "secret".

A classified State Department memorandum central to a federal leak investigation contained information about CIA officer Valerie Plame in a paragraph marked "(S)" for secret, a clear indication that any Bush administration official who read it should have been aware the information was classified, according to current and former government officials.

Plame -- who is referred to by her married name, Valerie Wilson, in the memo -- is mentioned in the second paragraph of the three-page document, which was written on June 10, 2003, by an analyst in the State Department's Bureau of Intelligence and Research (INR), according to a source who described the memo to The Washington Post.

The paragraph identifying her as the wife of former ambassador Joseph C. Wilson IV was clearly marked to show that it contained classified material at the "secret" level, two sources said. The CIA classifies as "secret" the names of officers whose identities are covert, according to former senior agency officials.

Karl Rove leaked the identity of a CIA operative – whose identity was clearly marked “secret” – to Time’s Matthew Cooper, yet he continues to work at the White House.

Open Thread

For the day...

July 20, 2005

Rove Didn't Tell FBI About Cooper

There's a must-read article in the online version of the American Prospect about Rove. Turns out that when he was first interviewed by the FBI, his "I was just waiving a reporter off a bad story" line didn't exist. In fact, he never even mentioned that he talked to Matt Cooper about Plame (or "Joe Wilson's wife"). Investigators have been suspicious ever since...

White House deputy chief of staff Karl Rove did not disclose that he had ever discussed CIA officer Valerie Plame with Time magazine reporter Matthew Cooper during Rove's first interview with the FBI, according to legal sources with firsthand knowledge of the matter.

The omission by Rove created doubt for federal investigators, almost from the inception of their criminal probe into who leaked Plame's name to columnist Robert Novak, as to whether Rove was withholding crucial information from them, and perhaps even misleading or lying to them, the sources said.

Also leading to the early skepticism of Rove's accounts was the claim that although he first heard that Plame worked for the CIA from a journalist, he said could not recall the name of the journalist. Later, the sources said, Rove wavered even further, saying he was not sure at all where he first heard the information.

Open Thread

Karl Rove leaked the identity of a CIA operative to a Time Magazine reporter and still works at the White House with a security clearance. Pretty sure we can walk and chew gum at the same time...

July 19, 2005

Bush Makes a Partisan Choice

Statement by DNC Chairman on the Nomination of John Roberts to the Supreme Court

Washington - Faced with a growing scandal surrounding the involvement of Deputy White House chief of Staff Karl Rove and Vice President Cheney's Chief of Staff Lewis Libby in the leaking the identity of a covert CIA operative, President Bush announced his nomination of John Roberts to the Supreme Court late this evening. Democratic National Chairman Howard Dean today issued the following statement on the nomination:

"It is disappointing that when President Bush had the chance to bring the country together, he instead turned to a nominee who may have impressive legal credentials, but also has sharp partisan credentials that cannot be ignored.

"Democrats take very seriously the responsibility to protect the individual rights of all Americans and are committed to ensuring that ideological judicial activists are not appointed to the Supreme Court. The Senate Judiciary Committee will now have the opportunity to see if Judge Roberts can put his partisanship aside, and live up to a Supreme Court Justice's duty to uphold the rights and freedoms of every American and the promise of equal justice for all."

Open Thread

Supreme Court nomination announcement at 9pm eastern...

Video: Time for President Bush to Keep His Word on Leak

President Bush told us that he wanted to know who was responsible for the leak of an undercover CIA operative's agenda. He said he'd fire anyone who was involved.

Will President Bush keep his word? Does he mean what he says? Watch our new video to see Bush's promise -- and take action.

Click here to help us spread the word by telling your friends about our video.

Keep reading "Video: Time for President Bush to Keep His Word on Leak"

Open Thread

For the day...

July 18, 2005

GOP Rep. Intimidates Scientists

Every once in a while, you'll see a Republican doing something so over the top that even their fellow Republicans have to jump in to try and stop them.

That's exactly what happened when Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX), powerful chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee decided to investigate two scientists for coming to conclusions on global warming that didn't match his ideology.

Barton's actions were so ridiculous that fellow Republican Rep. Sherwood Boehlert (R-NY), chairman of the Science Committee, called on Barton to end his partisan witch hunt.

In a sharply worded letter sent last week, Boehlert called Barton's probe into the findings of Michael E. Mann, Raymond S. Bradley and Malcolm K. Hughes a "misguided and illegitimate investigation."

Boehlert joins Democrats in declaring that it's despicable for Congressmen to intimidate scientists when their results aren't what you and top contributors would like to see.

But facts are facts, and if Boehlert doesn't want global warming to be fact, he ought to use his power to work on a solution instead of denying the problem.

Keep reading "GOP Rep. Intimidates Scientists"

American People Aren't Fooled

Try as they might, those in the White House can't escape responsibility for their actions. The American people know a scandal when they see it, and they're not buying Rove's, McLellan's, or even Bush's story here.

From ABC News:

Just a quarter of Americans think the White House is fully cooperating in the federal investigation of the leak of a CIA operative's identity, a number that's declined sharply since the investigation began. And three-quarters say that if presidential adviser Karl Rove was responsible for leaking classified information, it should cost him his job.

Open Thread

Middle of the day...

George Bush Flip-Flops On National Security Leaks

George Bush, straight shooter:

Q Given -- given recent developments in the CIA leak case, particularly Vice President Cheney's discussions with the investigators, do you still stand by what you said several months ago, a suggestion that it might be difficult to identify anybody who leaked the agent's name?

THE PRESIDENT: That's up to --

Q And, and, do you stand by your pledge to fire anyone found to have done so?

THE PRESIDENT: Yes.

George Bush, backtracker:

If someone committed a crime, they will no longer work in my administration.

Subtle difference, signifigant shift. More of what they've said in the past:

McClellan: "If anyone in this administration was involved in it [the improper disclosure of an undercover CIA operative's identity], they would no longer be in this administration."

Bush: "If somebody did leak classified information, I'd like to know it, and we'll take the appropriate action."

George Bush went from firing anyone who was involved to firing anyone who committed a crime. It seemed for a while that Bush didn't care whether someone had broken the law or not - a leak is a leak and this one was a breach of national security. Wrong is wrong, after all. Well, wrong was wrong until he found out who was actually responsible. Now he's happy to sweep this under the rug for good ol' Karl, no matter how wrong it was.

The leak was wrong, the cover-up was wrong, and flip-flopping on how you'll punish those who breach national security is wrong.

Reporter Implicates Rove in CIA Leak

In this week's Time Magazine, one of the reporters at the center of the leak investigation talks about his grand jury testimony -- here are a couple of excerpts:

Rove did ... clearly indicate that she worked at the "agency"--by that, I told the grand jury, I inferred that he obviously meant the CIA and not, say, the Environmental Protection Agency. Rove added that she worked on "WMD" (the abbreviation for weapons of mass destruction) issues and that she was responsible for sending Wilson. This was the first time I had heard anything about Wilson's wife. [...]

I told the grand jury something else about my conversation with Rove. Although it's not reflected in my notes or subsequent e-mails, I have a distinct memory of Rove ending the call by saying, "I've already said too much."

The full article is available here if you're a Time subscriber.

What is the White House waiting for? When will they come clean about the leak that unraveled a key clandestine intelligence operation and put lives in jeopardy? And when will the president keep his word to fire anyone involved?

Keep reading "Reporter Implicates Rove in CIA Leak"

Scooter Libby Implicated, Worked with Rove on Massive Smear Campaign

Vice President Cheney's Cheif of Staff, Lewis "Scooter" Libby, has now also been implicated in the leak and confirmation of a covert CIA agent's identity. Time's Matt Cooper also confirmed that Karl Rove was the first to tell him about Valerie Plame, and ended the phone call with "I've already said too much."

From the Associated Press:

Time magazine's Matthew Cooper says a 2003 phone call with White House political adviser Karl Rove was the first he heard about the wife of Bush administration critic Joseph Wilson apparently working for the CIA.

Giving a first-person account of his role in a case that nearly landed him in jail, the reporter recalled that Rove told him, "I've already said too much" after revealing that the wife of the former ambassador apparently was with the CIA.

Cooper speculated in the piece, released Sunday, that Rove could have been "worried about being indiscreet, or it could have meant he was late for a meeting or something else."

"I don't know, but that signoff has been in my memory for two years," Cooper wrote. The White House and Rove's lawyer have stressed that Rove never mentioned Valerie Plame, Wilson's wife, by name.

At issue in a federal grand jury investigation into whether someone in the Bush administration violated a federal statute by publicly disclosing the identity of Plame as a CIA operative.

Cooper said the 2003 phone call with Rove was the first time he had heard anything about Wilson's wife.

The White House had insisted for nearly two years that neither Rove nor Vice President Dick Cheney's chief of staff, Lewis Libby, had any connection with the leak of Plame's name. For the last two weeks, however, it has steadfastly declined to comment on the case, citing the ongoing Fitzgerald probe.

And, just as they're doing to anyone who disagrees with them now, the leak came as the White House and Republican Party mounted a smear campaign against Amb. Joe Wilson for his (correct) views on the war in Iraq...

Top aides to President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney were intensely focused on discrediting former Ambassador Joseph C. Wilson IV in the days after he wrote an op-ed article for the New York Times suggesting the administration manipulated intelligence to justify going to war in Iraq, federal investigators have been told.

Prosecutors investigating whether administration officials illegally leaked the identity of Wilson's wife, a CIA officer who had worked undercover, have been told that Bush's top political strategist, Karl Rove, and Cheney's chief of staff, I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, were especially intent on undercutting Wilson's credibility, according to people familiar with the inquiry.

Although lower-level White House staffers typically handle most contacts with the media, Rove and Libby began personally communicating with reporters about Wilson, prosecutors were told.

A source directly familiar with information provided to prosecutors said Rove's interest was so strong that it prompted questions in the White House. When asked at one point why he was pursuing the diplomat so aggressively, Rove reportedly responded: "He's a Democrat." Rove then cited Wilson's campaign donations, which leaned toward Democrats, the person familiar with the case said.

The disclosures about the officials' roles illustrate White House concern about Wilson's July 6, 2003, article, which challenged the administration's assertion that Iraq had sought to purchase nuclear materials. Wilson's article appeared as Rove and other Bush aides were preparing the 2004 reelection campaign strategy, which was built largely around the president's response to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and the overthrow of Saddam Hussein.

...

Regardless of Rove's legal liability, the description of his role runs contrary to earlier White House statements that Rove and Libby were not involved in the unmasking of Wilson's wife, and it suggests they were part of a campaign to discredit Wilson.

Thanks to Atrios...

July 17, 2005

Open Thread

End of the weekend thread...

July 16, 2005

Open Thread

For Saturday...

Congressman Robert Menendez Delivers the Democratic Radio Address

Congressman Bob Menendez of New Jersey delivered the Democratic Radio Address this week. Click here to download it. The transcript is posted below.

Keep reading "Congressman Robert Menendez Delivers the Democratic Radio Address"

July 15, 2005

Hackett a "Standout" in OH 2 Race

Don't miss this must-read column about Democrat Paul Hackett, who's running for Congress in Ohio's 2nd Congressional District in a special election that takes place August 2.

Jean Schmidt, the Republican nominee, who was the only female in a 10-person primary race, is a slight, chic, low-key, 100 percent Bush backer from Loveland, and the head of an anti-abortion group in Cincinnati.

Her opponent, Paul Hackett, is a charismatic, impressive lawyer from Indian Hill, who recently returned from a seven-month tour of duty in Iraq as a Marine major, where he served on the front lines in battered Fallujah, an insurgent stronghold. If elected, he will be, incredibly, the only member of Congress to have served in Iraq.

...

"Ask yourselves these questions," he urged the 300 in attendance at the debate: "Are you better off in the past five years? Is your job safer? Do you even have a job? Are you paying more for health care? How about gasoline? If you send me down there, I'll fight for you. If you want a rubber stamp to represent you, then I'm not your candidate."

Paul Hackett is the most impressive prospect for Congress I've seen in quite a while. If anyone can overcome the long odds in the 2nd District, he is likely to be the one. He would be a breath of pure, Ohio air in the fetid Washington atmosphere.

Republicans Speak Out on Karl Rove

So far, thousands upon thousands of you have told the White House that our national security has no place in partisan politics. Perhaps most impressive, the response has come from all walks of life.

It's not just Democrats who are outraged at Karl Rove revealing classified information as part of a partisan smear campaign -- and President Bush's failure to take action. Independents and Republicans have joined the chorus expressing outrage at this administration.

They join Republicans like former President Bush, who called those who leak classified information the "most insidious of traitors" and former Republican Party chairman Ed Gillespie, who agreed that this leak was "worse than Watergate."

I'd like to share some of the responses we've received from a few of these folks.

Keep reading "Republicans Speak Out on Karl Rove"

Open Thread

For the day...

July 14, 2005

Gov. Dean energizes Wisconsin Dems

Jim Schuessler over at Wisconsin Grassroots Democrats posted the following account of Gov. Dean's Madison, WI event last night:

Gov. Dean's visit to Madison blew away all expectations. Over 700 people showed up for Dem Party fundraiser and organizers had to move the event from the lobby of the Orpheum Theater to the theater itself (and compensate the 20 people watching a movie at the time). Organizers had expected a crowd of about 150 people.

It was a tremendous event. Democrats in Madison gave the Gov. a standing ovation and appreciated the Governor's introspective take on how the Democratic Party can better connect with the American public.

We want Howard Dean back in Madison soon!

Here's a link to a Capital Times article on it.

There's Only One Issue Here

So, there's a major theme that has emerged as the Republicans scramble to respond to the Rove leak: They say this is all one big Rove smear campaign.

But who's doing the smearing? It was Rove who leaked the identity of a CIA operative, not anyone else. He did it to - gasp - smear Joe Wilson, who was critical of the administration's Iraq policy. Today the RNC released a document again smearing Wilson, trying to discredit him and somehow trying to legitimize Rove's actions. At the end of the day:

Karl Rove abused his security clearance and leaked the identity of a CIA operative for political retribution.

Just when, exactly, do Republicans find it wrong to leak the identities of CIA operatives? When is it not a smear to question the Deputy White House Chief of Staff for doing just that? There are some things in this country that rise above partisan politics, and national security is one of them. This is deathly serious, and it's certainly not about smearing anyone - it's about protecting our nation's secrets. It would be nice if the Republican Party could cast aside their glaring hypocrisy, see through their partisan blinders and acknowledge the severity of what has happened here.

Open Thread

For the day...

July 13, 2005

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For the evening...

Bush Refuses to Comment On Rove

President Bush took the White House line on the Rove leak today by saying that he wouldn't comment. The article points out that while this is the standard White House line, some Bush advisors were surprised that he didn't take the opportunity firmly stand behind Rove. A sign of things to come?

President Bush said Wednesday he will withhold judgment about top aide Karl Rove's involvement in the leaking the identity of a CIA operative until a federal criminal investigation is complete.

The lack of an endorsement surprised some Bush advisers who had expected the president to voice his support.

"This is a serious investigation," Bush said at the end of a meeting with his Cabinet, with Rove sitting just behind him. "I will be more than happy to comment on this matter once this investigation is complete.

"I also will not prejudge the investigation based on media reports," he said, when asked whether Rove acted improperly in discussing CIA officer Valerie Plame with a reporter.

Rove talked about Plame -- without using her name -- in a July 11, 2003, conversation with Time magazine reporter Matthew Cooper, who wrote an article that identified her.

John Aravosis at AMERICABlog questions Bush's role in the whole scandal by asking a very simple question: Why doesn't George Bush just ask Karl Rove if he did it?

What is this BS about Bush now waiting for the investigation to complete so that he doesn't have to judge Rove based on media reports. For a president who doesn't read the media, that shouldn't be a problem. Simply pick up the phone, call Karl, and get his butt in your office and ASK him if he was the leaker or not.

Either Bush has done this and knows Rove is the leaker, and in which case Bush lied when he said he would fire the leaker - not to mention, that would mean Bush has been tolerating a security risk, and possible criminal, on his staff for two years now - or Bush has not called Rove in and asked him, which begs the question why not?

Dean On the Leak: 'This Is Bigger Than Politics'

Governor Dean just sent a message to Democrats across the country uring them to help people step beyond party lines and speak out on the leak of the identity of CIA operative Valerie Plame.

This is bigger than politics -- every American should agree that this administration needs to come clean immediately about this leak, and any White House official's role in it. The only way to pressure this administration is to show that Americans will not tolerate this -- and that every American regardless of party will unite and publicly demand that they come clean:

http://www.democrats.org/comeclean

Be sure to sign the petition and forward the email when you get it (and if you don't get it, be sure forward around the link to this post).

Keep reading "Dean On the Leak: 'This Is Bigger Than Politics'"

Former RNC Chair Thinks Rove Leak Worse Than Watergate

Hunter over at DailyKos points out that former RNC Chairman Ed Gillespie thinks that the leaking of an undercover CIA operative's identity is more serious than Watergate.

CHRIS MATTHEWS: Don't you think it's more serious than Watergate, when you think about it?

RNC CHAIRMAN ED GILLESPIE: I think if the allegation is true, to reveal the identity of an undercover CIA operative -- it's abhorrent, and it should be a crime, and it is a crime.

CHRIS MATTHEWS: It'd be worse than Watergate, wouldn't it?

GILLESPIE: It's -- Yeah, I suppose in terms of the real world implications of it. It's not just politics.

Well, at least he thought that way before he found out it was Rove. I'm willing to bet he's saying something else today.

But Gillespie was right -- this is isn't "just politics"...it's our national security. Of course, current RNC Chair Ken Mehlman thinks that leaking classified information for a partisan attack was exactly what Rove should have done, which just goes to show just how partisan they are.

Open Thread

For the day...

July 12, 2005

Ohio's Next Election

There's only one Congressional race in the country right now, and that's in Ohio's 2nd Congressional district. The race pits old-guard Republican Jean Schmidt against Iraqi War veteran and Democrat Paul Hackett.

Schmidt is the favorite of the state's Republican Party - the one run by backslapping, cigar-smoking insiders who spend their time in dark, smoky rooms, pooling their wealth and handing out favors all for the sake of more power and more money.

Hackett is a former Marine turned Democratic candidate. To the district, Hackett should be a breath of fresh air - a candidate who's not beholden to deeply corrupt special interests.

Of course, Schmidt is a better fit for the corrupt, power abusing climate in Washington, and she hasn't missed a chance to exploit that fact.

But for his part, Hackett has rolled up his sleeves and gotten to work across the district, holding townhalls and talking with voters. If you're in the area, there are a few coming up...

Forums will follow at Loveland's Nisbet Park on July 19; the Mariemont Inn in Mariemont on July 20; and at Harmon Park in Lebanon on July 21. All of the events begin at 7 p.m.

If you're interested, check out Paul Hackett's website.

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Why Is Bush Protecting This Man?

George Bush campaigned as someone who would "restore honor and integrity" to the office of the Presidency. As President, George Bush told his senior staff that they must "avoid even the appearance" of ethical violations. Recently it has become clear that this was all empty rhetoric.

Karl Rove, one of Bush's closest friends and Senior Advisor potentially violated the law when he disclosed the identity of an undercover CIA agent. Ever since the leak was announced in 2003, the White House has defended Karl Rove. They have called the claims Rove was the leak" ridiculous." At the same time, George Bush was saying that if there were a leak they the leak would be "taken care of" and criminal charges would be filed.

Now, President Bush has a tough choice to make: does he protect the man who constructed his rise to power, or does he keep his promise to the American people?

Keep reading "Why Is Bush Protecting This Man?"

Supreme Court Briefing with Senator Harry Reid

DNC Chairman Howard Dean and Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid joined thousands of Democrats all across the country for a briefing this afternoon about the fight to protect our values as President Bush considers his nominee to replace Justice O'Connor on the Supreme Court.

If you weren't able to join us, you click here to listen to the call in streaming MP3 format.

Mehlman Defends Rove's Partisan Attack By Denouncing Partisan Attacks

RNC Chairman Ken Mehlman responded to the controversy that has engulfed the White House this week. His statement, in whole:

It's disappointing that once again, so many Democrat[ic] leaders are taking their political cues from the far-left, Moveon wing of the party. The bottom line is Karl Rove was discouraging a reporter from writing a false story based on a false premise and the Democrats are engaging in blatant partisan political attacks."

Umm, Ken, the bottom line is that he was "discouraging" a negative story by leaking the name of an undercover CIA operative. The bottom line is that Amb. Joe Wilson was critical of the White House, and Rove responded by leaking classified information about his wife. The bottom line is that Rove tried to solve a political problem by abusing his security clearance, and he probably broke the law when he did it.

This is simple. Rove put partisan politics ahead of national security. He used his security clearance and leaked the name of an undercover CIA operative to retaliate against her husband. The American people put their trust in President Bush and his staff, and they've abused it to score cheap political points.

Open Thread

For the day...

July 11, 2005

Open Thread

For Rove and more...

On the Road Again

The Governor and I are heading back out on the road this week. First up is Madison on Wednesday to attend a fundraiser for the Wisconsin State Party. I've been told some good bratwurst can be found in Madison, so I'm looking forward to the trip.

On Thursday morning, we address the NAACP conference in Milwaukee, and then it's on to the Denver area for a rally to help the Colorado Democratic Party. Tickets are just $50 and you can go to click here to sign up for the event.

New day, new city. On Friday we travel to Boise for an afternoon picnic to help the good Democrats of Idaho keep fighting. Buy your tickets and learn more about the event here. Speaking of learning, I read somewhere that the square dance is the official dance of Idaho, I wonder if that is true.

Most people have the weekends off, but by then we're just getting started. Saturday we attend an event in Salt Lake City and jet off to Great Falls, Montana for the state's annual convention. Click here for more info.

This is going to be a good week and I am really looking forward to these trips. Come on out and say hello.

--Fred Baldassaro

Bush Puts Partisan Politics Ahead of National Security

The revelation that Karl Rove was the source who leaked Valerie Plame's identity as a CIA agent to Time's Matt Cooper probably comes as a surprise to exactly nobody. After all, dirty tricks have been the hallmark of Rove's political career since he was a teenager.

As this story continues to unfold over the next few weeks, Republicans are going to try to parse every word Rove ever uttered about the case. They're going to dissect every letter of relevant law trying to find a loophole to prove that Karl Rove is innocent.

But let's make one thing perfectly clear: Rove's secret outing of Valerie Plame put partisan politics above the security of our nation. He chose to reveal Plame's identity as a CIA agent, with no thought to the consequences to American national security, simply because it provided an opportunity to smear her husband.

And this is part of a pattern. When Democrats proposed creating the Department of Homeland Security, Republicans fought it until they saw a partisan advantage to exploit in the 2002 elections. When the September 11 Commission was trying to get the facts about the terrorist attacks on our soil, the administration fought them every step of the way.

And the war in Iraq is a disaster today because President Bush and his team have consistently chosen to score political points instead of doing the right thing.

And that, ultimately, is what this is about. It's about an administration that chose to ruin a woman's career, expose a CIA agent, and smear an ambassador's name all for the sake of spreading more lies about a threat that never existed.

The Bush administration will do anything -- absolutely anything -- to further its partisan politics. Don't you wish they'd put that kind of effort into protecting America?

A Few Notes On the New Site

Two weeks ago today we launched the newest version of Democrats.org. With it, we rolled out Democracy Bonds, a fundamental reform in the way political parties are funded. In the time since the launch, thousands of you have gotten your Bonds and you've used the new web tools to invite thousands more. We also had over 12,000 comments on the main blog and on articles across the site, a testament to just how important your thoughts, ideas and comments are to your Party. The open community found here is emblematic of the Democratic Party we're working to build: a party of the people, accountable no more to a special interest than to any single Democrat found in any corner of the country. This is your party and your website, and we're working non-stop to make it more powerful, more useful, and more informative than ever before.

In line with that, we have a few small features that we're adding to the site...

• Today we added RSS feeds for each region, state, and constituency group so that you can subscribe to specific parts of the site. There are over 70 - including one for the press - so you can easily get specific updates with any type of RSS reader (and we urge the creative computer types to use this resource however you wish). You'll find them in the sidebar of each section (Women, for example).
• We've launched podcasting feed. Add it to your favorite podcasting tool to get Democratic audio delivered straight to your computer and MP3 player. Expect things like the weekly radio address, special clips from Gov. Dean and other national Democrats, audio from some of the various conference calls and interviews we do, and anything else we think you'd like.
• We're launching an effort to become a clearinghouse for Democratic blogs. More on this in a formal post later this week, but soon you'll be able to submit your blog so it can be added to Democrats.org. We're starting to lay the groundwork today, so that we'll soon have a great resource for those seeking out blogs and bloggers in their state or region.
• And, even though it's not really a feature, tomorrow we're going back to Kicking Ass. You asked for it, you got it. (And, no, we didn't rename the blog "Blog"...we just un-named it. But, like boats, blogs need names, so Kicking Ass is coming back.)

We also can't thank you enough for all of the help and feedback you've given us over the past two weeks. We got your email and while we're still reading through all of it, I promise that we'll eventually read every message you've sent us - good or bad.

But please know that we're not done. We're working on a number of very exciting, very new things - tools and functionality that, as far as we know, have never been used by a political organization before (we're particularly excited about the new event and meeting tool we're building - one that will revolutionalize the way people come together for meaningful political change. Look for that in the next couple of months).

And since we're not so arrogant as to think that we're the only people who have good ideas, we want to know what you think. We want you to tell us what you want. What tools and functionality would help you do whatever it is you want to do? What changes could be made to the tools that already exist? There's a good chance that some of it is already in the works, but your input is vital to making sure everything is as effective and powerful as we can make it.

So thank you, enjoy the little things we rolled out today, and stay tuned...

Join the Fight for Our Values

Governor Dean sent the following letter to Democratic activists. Click here to sign up for future email updates.

Dear Fellow Democrats,

Get the very latest on the Supreme Court straight from Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid on Tuesday at 4:30 PM Eastern.

RSVP for the call here.

Over the next few weeks you're going to be hearing a lot about the Supreme Court and the effort to fill the seat that has opened up.

Here in Washington these fights can sometimes become a back and forth between insiders speaking a language that means little to most Americans.

But we have to remember that there's much more at stake here than partisan advantage from one day to the next. The Supreme Court is the ultimate guardian of our freedoms, and will shape the kind of society we live in.

A woman who wants to make her own decisions about her health care, parents who rely on environmental protections to keep their children healthy, and all Americans who rely on civil rights and equal opportunity -- every one of us will be affected by the court's actions.

That's why every single one of us has a responsibility to be informed and engaged in the process of shaping our highest court.

Our leader in the Senate, Harry Reid, will meet with the president early this week. Then, tomorrow at 4:30 PM Eastern time, he will report back to you about how the nomination process will unfold, what's at stake, and how you can shape the outcome.

You can RSVP for the Supreme Court conference call briefing with Senator Harry Reid here:

http://www.democrats.org/supremecourtcall

Whether ordinary Americans have their voice heard will be up to President Bush. He has an opportunity to build consensus with Senators from both parties and choose a nominee that ordinary Americans trust to protect our rights and liberties and uphold the law.

Whatever path he chooses, the work we have been doing -- and will continue to do -- will help put our country on the right path. Your volunteer time, your donations, and your outreach into your community build our party's capacity for fight effectively for the rights and interests of ordinary people.

You have done more than anyone imagined over the past few months to build our party for the long term.

In the coming weeks, as a lifetime appointment is made to the court, we will all have to take responsibility for putting our country on the right path for the long term.

We will demand that ordinary people have their voice heard on this nominee -- and as this process unfolds we will make sure that they do.

Thank you.
Governor Howard Dean, M.D.

P.S. -- Be sure to join us for the conference call with Democratic Senate Leader Harry Reid:

http://www.democrats.org/supremecourtcall

Keep reading "Join the Fight for Our Values"

Open Thread

For the day...

July 10, 2005

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Auto-open thread coming soon. I swear...

July 9, 2005

Open Thread

Here's a fresh one.

July 8, 2005

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Sorry - no more 1100 comment threads...

July 7, 2005

Kentucky Governor's Subordinates Indicted

Members of Kentucky Governor Ernie Fletcher's staff have been indicted for their politically motivated attacks on Democrats who work for the state:

A special grand jury indicted three of Gov. Ernie Fletcher's subordinates, including his deputy chief of staff, on various misdemeanor charges, including criminal conspiracy and political discrimination.

Dick Murgatroyd, Fletcher's deputy chief of staff and former deputy transportation secretary, was indicted Wednesday on allegations of political discrimination, criminal conspiracy and violating state employees' rights. Cory Meadows, executive director of transportation enhancement programs; and Dan Druen, a Transportation Cabinet commissioner, were also indicted on misdemeanor political discrimination and criminal conspiracy charges. Druen had previously been indicted on other misdemeanor charges related to the investigation.

"These indictments allege specific violations in regard to specific personnel actions that occurred involving employees within the Transportation Cabinet," prosecutor Scott Crawford-Sutherland told reporters at the Franklin County courthouse.

The indictments cap two days of work this week by the Franklin County special grand jury investigating allegations that the Fletcher administration has based personnel decisions within the state Merit System on politics rather than candidates' qualifications. That system was established in 1960 to insulate rank-and-file employees from political influence. Violations are misdemeanors.

Gov. Dean on the London Attacks

Gov. Dean issued the following statement on the bombings today in London.

"I join all Americans today in offering my condolences to the victims of today's vicious terrorist attacks in London. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their friends and their families. We remain steadfast in our commitment to defeating those who threaten our freedom and values. At a time when world leaders were working together to help make our world a better place, these terrorists were plotting to disrupt that effort by killing and injuring innocent people. We will continue to stand with our allies around the world to defeat terrorism and protect our liberty and freedom."

Open Thread

For today...

July 6, 2005

Open Thread

The day's news here...

Send President Bush a Birthday Message

Today is President Bush's 59th birthday, and the Republican National Committee recently celebrated by asking GOP activists to sign a birthday card to the president. But there was a catch: you could only sign it if you gave a donation to the RNC.

We think that's un-American -- everyone should be able to send a message to our leader. So we've set up a birthday card that you can sign -- free of charge.

More Trouble in Washington

Looks like more trouble for Jack Abramoff, Tom DeLay, Bob Ney and others.

Criminal investigators at the Justice Department have been asked by a House committee to consider broadening their corruption investigation of a Washington lobbyist whose ties to Tom DeLay, the House Republican leader, and other prominent lawmakers are the subject of inquiries throughout the government, congressional officials disclosed Tuesday.

The request about the investigation of the lobbyist, Jack Abramoff, was made in a letter last week to Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales from the Republican chairman and the senior Democrat of the House Resources Committee.

...

The Resources Committee request could suggest new scrutiny for DeLay, because he worked closely with Abramoff for years to block Washington from imposing the federal minimum wage on large clothing factories in the Northern Marianas. Human rights groups have long criticized the factories, which employ mostly migrant Asian workers.

On a trip to the islands with Abramoff in 1997, DeLay told a meeting of local officials that the lobbyist was among "my closest and dearest friends" and promised to continue to defend the islands' interests in Congress. Abramoff's billing records show that he frequently met with DeLay and his top aides to discuss the Northern Marianas. In a 2001 e-mail message to the islands' general counsel, Abramoff described DeLay as "our biggest supporter on Capitol Hill."

DeLay is facing other ethics accusations involving ties to Abramoff and has asked the House ethics committee to review the propriety of lavish overseas trips that Abramoff organized for DeLay, his wife and his aides to Britain and Russia.

So many of those wrapped up in this mess can go home and put on a show, making their constituents believe that they're still the same person they were when they went to Washingon years ago. So today, we teamed up with the DCCC and ran print ads in six congressional districts to help bring attention to the ethical lapses in Washington by some of those closely tied to Abramoff.

They try to have it both ways: they want to smoke cigars and play golf with lobbyists in exchange for favors, but they also want voters to believe that they're just like them. We all know better -- these guys don't live the same way we do. They think that the rules don't apply to them, that they'll never be found out, and, if they are, they can pull the wool over the eyes of those who gave them the privilege of serving. They've betrayed our trust, and - most importantly - the trust of their constituents.

July 5, 2005

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Rove, White House Denied Rove's Involvement in Plame Case

From DNC Research:

August of 2004: Rove Claimed He Did Not Know Who Plame Was. In August of 2004, facing questions of his role in the Plame leak scandal, Rove denied his involvement, saying that he did not even know who Plame was at the time of the leak. "Well, I'll repeat what I said to ABC News when this whole thing broke some number of months ago. I didn't know her name and didn't leak her name." [CNN, 7/4/05]

McClellan Said Rove Never Told Reporters that Plame Worked for CIA. In October of 2003 White House Press Secretary, Scott McClellan was asked during a White House Briefing, "Scott, earlier this week you told us that neither Karl Rove, Elliot Abrams nor Lewis Libby disclosed any classified information with regard to the leak. I wondered if you could tell us more specifically whether any of them told any reporter that Valerie Plame worked for the CIA?" McClellan responded by denying that Rove or the others had assured him that they had not leaked any classified information. "Those individuals -- I talked -- I spoke with those individuals, as I pointed out, and those individuals assured me they were not involved in this. And that's where it stands." [White House Press Briefing, 10/10/03]

McClellan Said He Knew Karl Rove, and Karl Rove Would Never Do Something Like Leaking. White House Spokesman Scott McClellan told reporters that, "I've known Karl for a long time, and I didn't even need to go ask Karl, because I know the kind of person that he is, and he is someone that is committed to the highest standards of conduct…It is not something I needed to ask him, but I like to, like you do, verify things and make sure that it is completely accurate. But I knew that Karl would not be involved in something like this [White House Briefing, 9/29/03]

Bush's Chance to Rescue His Legacy

President Bush's disastrous second term has quickly made him the earliest lame-duck president in America's history.

His signature issue, Social Security privatization, has stalled in Congress in the face of public revolt. His party has been mired in ethics scandals involving donors who raised huge amounts of cash for Bush's campaign. And while his administration has tried to paint a rosy picture in Iraq -- with Vice President Cheney famously claiming the insurgency is in its "last throes" -- U.S. troops and the Iraqi people still face daily attacks resulting in massive casualties.

The result has been plummeting approval ratings for Bush and an agenda that he can't move. President Bush needs a win -- and now he has the opportunity.

Bush faces a decision of grave importance, one that will affect the lives of every American for decades to come. The vacancy on the Supreme Court is an opportunity for Bush to abandon the divisive and unpopular choices he has made during his second term and bring the country together with a fair-minded nominee who will fight to protect the rights of all Americans.

But will he continue to follow directions from the right-wing ideologues that run the Republican Party? So far, that's been a bust, turning him into an unpopular, lame-duck president just six months into his second term.

Or will Bush finally choose to rise above the fray and work with Democrats to choose a nominee for the Supreme Court who will be fair and committed to our individual freedoms?

This is the chance for President Bush to turn his second term around and rescue himself from a legacy as the most divisive president in our history.

Keep reading "Bush's Chance to Rescue His Legacy"

July 4, 2005

This July 4th, Celebrate With Our Troops

I like to read the Declaration of Independence on the Fourth of July. It reminds me that America is the greatest nation on earth because it was founded as response to tyranny by men who craved their freedom.

And that auspicious beginning left an indelible impression on the consciousness of our nation that has informed all of our greatness. The enshrining of our freedoms in the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, the overthrow of slavery, the fight against tyranny in the World Wars, the Civil Rights movement, and all the great moments in our history were the natural extension of the spirit of the founders who signed that list of grievances against the King -- and who declared that if they would not be given their liberty, then they would take it.

That spirit continues today in the hearts of those who put their lives at risk in our defense. It is their sacrifice -- all too often, the ultimate sacrifice -- that won us our freedom more than 200 years ago, and that protects our freedom today.

This Independence Day, celebrate that freedom with a show of support for our troops who are serving overseas. There are lots of ways you can show your support -- write a letter, send a care package, help a military family -- but two good places to start are the USO and Operation Dear Abby.

Happy Independence Day.

Open Thread

Here's a new thread.

July 2, 2005

Open Thread

Discuss the day's news here.

July 1, 2005

Gov. Dean on O'Connor's Retirement

Make sure you don't miss Gov. Dean's statment on Sandra Day O'Connor's retirement today:

A President faces no more important decision in terms of protecting the rights and liberties of all Americans than nominating a Supreme Court Justice. President Bush has a constitutional responsibility to do what presidents before him have done -- seek the advice of senators from both parties before making a nomination, and choose a mainstream nominee who will protect our most important rights and freedoms.

No Decision More Important

When Ronald Reagan chose Sandra Day O'Connor for a lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court, he chose a consensus conservative, someone who -- while not Democrats' ideal candidate -- would make decisions based on her interpretation of the Constitution rather than a narrow ideological agenda.

And while there have been many cases where Democrats have disagreed with O'Connor's decisions (see Bush v. Gore), she has always been someone clearly in the mainstream of American values.

Now President Bush faces an important choice. Will he follow the instructions in the Constitution to consult the Senate when choosing a nominee to replace O'Connor on the Supreme Court? Will he listen to Democrats as well as Republicans and choose a nominee who will protect our basic values?

Or will he give into the pressure from the radical right wing of his party and nominate an ideological extremist? Will Bush choose someone for a lifetime appointment to the nation's highest court who bases his or her on a narrow partisan agenda instead of the Constitution?

Senate Democrats have made their position clear. They are eager to work with President Bush to choose a candidate who will fully protect the individual rights of all Americans and come to each case with an open mind and a balanced perspective.

But if Bush chooses not to consult with the Senate and chooses someone outside the mainstream, Democrats will make sure we maintain our system of checks and balances. We will fight to ensure that anyone who receives a lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court is impartial in upholding our laws and Constitution and committed to the rights of our people.

There is no more important decision a president can make when it comes to our basic rights than choosing a nominee for a lifetime appointment to the nation's highest court. The Supreme Court is the ultimate guardian of our freedoms, and we urge President Bush to consult with the Senate and to give this decision the serious consideration it deserves.

Sandra Day O'Connor Resigns

Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor has resigned.

Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, the first woman appointed to the Supreme Court and a key swing vote on issues such as abortion and the death penalty, said Friday she is retiring.

O'Connor, 75, said she expects to leave before the start of the court's next term in October, or whenever the Senate confirms her successor. There was no immediate word from the White House on who might be nominated to replace O'Connor.

Use this as a Supreme Court thread...

Terminal (No) Velocity

Life on the road has its ups and downs, and that phrase can be taken literally on most days. There are times that the Governor and I could be on as many as three or four flights a day, spending more time in the air than on the ground. But then there are days like Tuesday in Philadelphia where we spent all day on the ground.

The day was going smoothly enough, and plans were set for us to leave Philly at 3:05 on our way to Columbia, SC for an afternoon rally until we got the bad news from the office: our flight was delayed about an hour due to weather conditions.

We went to the airport hoping for the best, but the best turned out to be another few added delays which pushed our flight back to 5:30 p.m. Our rally in South Carolina was supposed to start at 6!

As the delays mounted and we realized we couldn't get to Columbia, we started to turn our attention to going straight to New Orleans, our next destination. That too, was a problem. Flights up and down the eastern seaboard were being cancelled and delayed. It seemed as though everyone who lived on the east coast was at the airport. The Gov. and I spent a total of five hours sitting at B13 waiting for our flight to New Orleans to take off. You know you're at an airport too long when airline workers at the check-in counter are calling you by your first name.

Undaunted, we carried on. We read the papers, the Governor made phone calls, we chatted with folks at the gate. A nice guy bought the Gov. a smoothie. The flight at the gate next to us -- the flight to Burlington, VT. -- was also cancelled, so we had some admirers who recognized the Gov. instantly. I even met a pilot who taught me all about how planes stay in the air without colliding with one another.

We arrived in New Orleans at midnight -- nine hours after arriving at the Philadelphia airport. I could've flown from New York to London and back in that time!

Although we were disappointed by not making it to SC, we promise to get back there soon. The rally in New Orleans was great last night, and our DNC staff deserve a lot of credit for putting together a fantastic event. About 200-300 people turned up and the atmosphere was lively. People in Louisiana want to win just as much as the next state, so it was great to fire up the troops.

Tomorrow we fly to Little Rock for more events. I'm hoping I get to see the Clinton Library, although I don't think there'll be much time. I'm off to see what New Orleans can offer me for entertainment. It seems like such a sleepy town... I hope I can find some place to go out.

--Fred Baldassaro

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