Page Turner

When you hear "Government Report" you usually are not thinking, "Sounds like a fun read." However according to many literary critics, the month old 9/11 commission report is a real page turner. Who knew our government could produce something worth reading? Here is what some of the critics have to say...

The New York Time says "it all unfolds like an episode of CSI."
The Washington Post observes the style is written like a "personal confessional"
Carlin Romano calls it " An airport read worthy of Tom Clancy!"

Now only if they could make our tax codes as interesting and as easy to read!

Cheney's Romance in the White House

Political bits has some more suggested reading. As the race for president heats up, the media is focusing more and more on the views and talents of the candidates families. Lately it seems that the Kerry and Bush daughters have been receiving all the attention. And before that it was Mrs. Heinz who was making headlines for her ability to brush off reports with her verbal prowess, but lets not forget about the talents of Mrs. Lynne Cheney. Lynne Cheney is an accomplished author. However there is one book which she wrote that is mysteriously left off her list of publications. Apparently Lynne wrote a graphic romance novel called "Sisters." The Novel published by Signet contains some things that would be unfit for your local library or the under 17 crowd. I guess we now know the source of so many of Mr. Cheney's heart attacks!

RNC Party Animals

Leave it to the far left liberals to liven up a Republican party. It seems that the most interesting stuff happening at the Republican National Convention this week is happening outside Madison Square Garden. Scores of protestors from all over the country have converged in New York with one purpose, wear as many silly paper machee masks as possible, and go to as many bars as possible. But have no fear, the Republicans are trying to keep up the entertainment value, bless their hearts, here is what little gossip there is so far...

The Mayor of New York spoke at the Log Cabin Republicans meeting, "A few years ago I used this event as an occasion to come out." Pause, laughter. "As a Republican." said Bloomberg to gay Republicans.

The RNC has hired anti-protestor, protestors to walk around in "Flipper" costumes.

Most famous celebrity supporter at the RNC so far, Stephen Baldwin, not exactly the best of the Baldwin family.

The Bush twins filmed a clip for the MTV video music awards, which was booed along with the Kerry daughters during the telecast.

Hardly anyone showed up to Gov. Arnold's pre-convention party and thousands of pounds of food were thrown away.

But have no fear, fans of Arnold can still buy Bobbleheads of Arnold in pink dress, pumps, lipstick from protestors outside the convention.

More to come...

Israel

George W. Bush on Israel

1. Challenging Prime Minister Sharon in Front of World Leaders: George Bush said in London, "Israel should freeze settlement construction, dismantle unauthorized outposts, end the daily humiliation of the Palestinian people, and not prejudice final negotiations with the placements of walls and fences" (www.whitehouse.gov, November 19, 2003). Such rhetoric is not unusual for President Bush; speaking at the United Nations in September, 2004, President Bush "issued a direct challenge to Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon," according to the Reuters news service. Speaking before the assembled world leaders, President Bush again said: "Israel should impose a settlement freeze, dismantle unauthorized outposts, end the daily humiliation of the Palestinian people, and avoid any actions that prejudice final negotiations"(Reuters, September 21, 2004).
2. Refusal to Call Arafat a Terrorist in 2002: The UPI wire service reported that: “President George W. Bush said he would not label Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat a terrorist since the Arab leader remained engaged in peace negotiations. ‘We've got a plan that will lead to peace. It's a security plan called Tenet, it's a political plan called Mitchell. Both sides have agreed to this plan,’ said Bush speaking to reporters in the Oval Office. The president said that Arafat's involvement in negotiating a peace settlement was prevented him from designating him a terrorist” (UPI/United Press International, April 1, 2002).
3. A History of Opposing Israel's Security Fence:
   Fact: George Bush and his administration were opposed to the construction of Israel's security fence, and had threatened to penalize Israel for constructing the fence. Echoing many other Jewish and secular press articles, one press report noted in 2003 that "the Bush administration ... has been pressuring Israel about its fence because the barrier veers over the 'green line,' the old 1949 armistice line, to encompass at least two large West Bank settlements. The administration has said it will deduct what Israel spends on the fence from loan guarantees. ... 'We have made it clear that the fence... is a problem,' Secretary of State Colin Powell told The Washington Post [in October], in language that has been echoed by Bush" (The Forward, October 10, 2003).
4. Continuing to Oppose the Fence Through January, 2004:
   George Bush and his administration were clearly opposed to the fence as recently as five months ago, after which President Bush reversed his position. In January, the Forward reported that "Israel is pressuring the Bush administration to omit references to the West Bank security fence from the State Department's annual human rights report. ... The administration is still considering whether it will support Israel's position [on the fence] in front of the [International Court of Justice at the Hague]" (The Forward, January 16, 2004). A week earlier, the Forward explained, "The Bush administration, which takes a dim view of international tribunals but does not approve of the fence, has not yet decided if it would support such a campaign [against the International Court of Justice], several sources said" (The Forward, January 9, 2004).
5. Recent Sharp Criticism of Israel:
   Fact: In May, the Bush administration had sharp words for Israel, and the administration permitted the UN to pass an Arab-sponsored resolution condemning Israel. One month ago, under the headline "Bush's Support of Israel Falters," the Associated Press reported that the White House "sharply criticized Israel's military operations in Gaza and the United States allowed the U.N. Security Council to condemn the Jewish state. ... [I]n a sudden turnabout, Secretary of State Colin Powell lashed out at Israel, the White House issued a statement criticizing Israel on humanitarian grounds and the United States dropped plans to veto -- or weaken -- an Arab resolution at the U.N. condemning Israel for the housing demolitions and the attack on Palestinian demonstrators. By abstaining, as it almost never does when Israel is under assault in the Security Council, the Bush administration permitted the resolution to pass, 14-0" (Associated Press, May 20, 2004).
6. Retracting Pledges to Prime Minister Sharon:
   Fact: Under the headline "President Bush retracts pledges to Sharon," Israel's Maariv newspaper reported in May that George Bush was stepping back from promises he made to Prime Minister Sharon regarding Israel's borders and the Palestinian right of return: "US President George Bush is showing signs of capitulating in the face of pressure from Arab states. In a press conference held following his meeting with Jordan's King Abdullah today (Thursday), Bush called on Israel to withdraw from territories it captured in 1967. Bush also failed to repeat an earlier statement that Palestinian refugees will not be allowed to enter Israeli territory. 'The US will not determine the results of the negotiations,' he noted. ...The Palestinians, however, were very pleased with Bush's speech. Palestinian Minister Saeb Erekat said that 'Bush understood that international agreements and direct talks are the guarantee for continuation of negotiations. The Palestinians are very encouraged by Bush's declaration, since only the Palestinians and the Israelis can discuss their conflict and come up with solutions. The pledges Bush made to Sharon are not legally valid'" (Maariv Online, May 6, 2004).
7. Opposing Prime Minister Sharon's Disengagement Plan:
   Fact: The New York Times reported in December that "The Bush administration, responding coolly to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's announcement of a possible 'disengagement plan' in the West Bank, warned Israel on Thursday against taking unilateral steps that effectively abandoned the American-sponsored peace plan, called the road map, which would establish a Palestinian state. 'We would oppose any unilateral steps that block the road toward negotiations under the road map that lead to the two-state vision,' said Scott McClellan, the White House spokesman" (The New York Times, December 19, 2003).
8. Avoiding Moving our Embassy to Jerusalem:
   Fact: As reported on June 16th, "President Bush suspended moving the U.S. Embassy in Israel for six more months. The White House released a statement Tuesday announcing that the embassy would not move from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem for at least the next half year" (Jewish Telegraphic Agency, June 16, 2004). Bush told at least three major Jewish organizations in 2000 that he would begin moving the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem "as soon as I take office" (remarks before AIPAC, May 22, 2000; remarks before the B’nai B’rith International Convention 2000, August 28, 2000; response to the American Jewish Committee’s Election 2000 Questionnaire, October, 2000). Then-Governor Bush's pledge was echoed by major media at the time: "George W. Bush, the front runner in the race for the Republican presidential candidacy, has declared that he will move the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem the day he is inaugurated as U.S. president. Bush was speaking at a large gathering of the Republican Jewish Coalition in Washington” (Ha’aretz, December 3, 1999).
   

Israel

John Kerry's Record on Israel

1. Leadership in the Senate:
   Fact: The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) has said that "Kerry has a 100 percent pro-Israel voting record in the Senate" (Jewish Telegraphic Agency, May 18, 2004). John Kerry has a perfect, unblemished 20-year voting record on Israel in the United States Senate -- including some 60 pro-Israel votes and signatures on key congressional letters. He took a leadership role in cosponsoring many of these efforts, dating back to his co-sponsorship of a 1987 resolution disapproving missile sales to Saudi Arabia.
2. Israel's Security Fence:
   Fact: John Kerry has strongly supported Israel's right to build a security fence. During a debate in February, he described the fence as "a fence necessary to the security of Israel" (New York Times transcript, February 29, 2004). He has stated his support for the security fence repeatedly in public forums, including during an April speech before newspaper editors when he again said, "I support the building of the security fence" (Speech before the American Society of Newspaper Editors, April 23, 2004).
3. "We Should Never Pressure Israel:"
   Fact: John Kerry has repeatedly and clearly stated that a Kerry Administration will never force Israel to take steps that compromise her security: "And I want you to know that, as president, my promise to the people of Israel is this: I will never force Israel to make concessions that cost or compromise any of Israel's security. The security of Israel is paramount. And we [are] an ally and we are a friend and we have a special relationship, and we must remember that. We will also never expect Israel to negotiate peace without a credible partner" (Speech before the Anti-Defamation League, adl.org, May 3, 2004).
4. No Palestinian Right of Return:
   Fact: John Kerry has clearly noted his opposition to any Palestinian "right of return" to Israel: "Now I think what the President did in the last few days is to recognize a reality that even President Clinton came to: if you're going to have a Jewish state, and that is what we are committed to do and that is what Israel is, you cannot have a right of return that's open ended -- you just can't do it. It's always been a non-starter. I personally said that at a speech I gave to the Arab community in New York at the World Economic Forum." (NBC's "Meet the Press," April 18, 2004).
5. Taking On Saudi Leaders:
   Fact: John Kerry has strongly criticized our unwillingness to condemn the Saudis for their failure to fight terrorism. According to CBS News, he has vowed to "end a 'sweetheart relationship' that allows money to flow through Arab countries to terrorist groups. 'I have a 100 percent record ... of supporting the special relationship and friendship that we have with Israel,' Kerry said. 'I can guarantee you that as president, I understand not just how we do that but also how we end this sweetheart relationship with a bunch of Arab countries that still allows money to move to Hamas, Hezballah and the Al Aqsa Brigade'" (CBSNews.com, April 18, 2004).
6. Targeting Hamas Leadership:
   Fact: John Kerry has clearly supported Israel's right to target Hamas leadership for assassination. When asked whether he supported Israel's assassination of Hamas leader Rantisi on NBC's "Meet the Press," he replied: "I believe Israel has every right in the world to respond to any act of terror against it. Hamas is a terrorist, brutal organization. It has had years to make up its mind to take part in a peaceful process; and they refuse to, Arafat refuses to" (NBC's "Meet the Press," April 18, 2004).
7. Ruling Out Arafat:
   Fact: John Kerry has ruled out Arafat as a legitimate negotiating partner for Israel. As he said in March, 2004, "As far as I'm concerned he's an outlaw to the peace process. ...and he's proved himself to be irrelevant" (Associated Press, March 10, 2004).
8. Condemning Saudi Anti-Semitism:
   Fact: John Kerry has blasted anti-Semitic comments emanating from the leaders of Saudi Arabia, saying: "Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Abdullah's outrageous anti-Semitic comments this week blaming 'Zionists' for the terrorist attacks in Saudi Arabia raises serious questions about the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's commitment to combating terrorism. President Bush has said nothing. As President, I will never permit this kind of attack to go unanswered" (Statement by John Kerry, May 5, 2004).

Secret Republican Shadow Society

I always had a suspicion that a small group of shadowy men sat around deciding the future of our country, but until now I never had any proof. Thanks to some crack journalism by the New York Times, the Republican's ultra secret society has been unveiled. The group apparently meets in secret many times throughout the year at various undisclosed locations. The NYT says they obtained a list of member rules that included, "

The media should not know when or where we meet or who takes part in our programs, before of after a meeting."

I guess they messed up on that one! The membership is strictly confidential, but apparently the group met recently at the Plaza hotel right before the Republican Convention (not exactly the fortress of solitude). The name of this group is still unknown but the super conservative group seems to exercise major control over our country's leaders and policies. Mr. Bush addressed the group in fall 1999 to solicit support for his Presidential Campaign, Vice President Dick Cheney and Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld attended a council meeting right after the Iraq invasion. The Republican convention is going to be a week filled with moderate centrist speakers, but I guess we now know who is really pulling the strings.

Related Articles:
"Club of the Most Powerful Gathers in Strictest Privacy" [NYT]

A Swift Source ***Political Bits Exclusive***

One of the main sticking points on the Kerry's swift boat Vietnam record has been that everyone who was actually on his boat in Vietnam stands behind his awards for valor and heroism. However, according to sources, someone who served with Kerry on his Boat in Vietnam is going to come forward to dispute the circumstances under which Kerry received his Medals. This pending release was eluded to by Robert Novak during private conversations and on the air. The Kerry campaign says this issue is over, but this may be something they can't ignore! So now we wait... more to come...

Retired Rear Adm. William L. Schachte Jr. said Thursday in his first on-the-record interview about the swift boat veterans dispute that "I was absolutely in the skimmer" in the early morning on Dec. 2, 1968, when Lt. John Kerry was involved in an incident that led to his first Purple Heart. "Kerry nicked himself with a M-79 [grenade launcher]," Schachte said in a telephone interview from his home in Charleston, S.C. He said, "Kerry requested a Purple Heart."

Election 2008

Would you like a sneek peek into the future? Well, people around Washington are even now beginning to think ahead to the 2008 Presidential Election. Washington insiders says that if Kerry wins in 2004, there will be a show down between Rudy Gulliani and John McCain to run against Kerry's re-election. But aren't we getting ahead of ourselves here? I mean McCain is having enough trouble as it is walking the thin line with the Vietnam vet's thing, can McCain survive another election cycle?

Related Articles:
"Unity Divides Republicans" [CNS]
"Election over, focus on 2008" [Providence Journal]

Connect those Dots

Ok, you would think that the 2000 election ballot problem in Florida was a one time deal, people would realize how important and easy it was to fix and four years later there would not be any problems, right? Wrong! The "New and Improved" ballots are apparently even more confusing. Some of the highlights; voters need to connect broken arrows in an attempt to indicate the candidate they want. Hanging chads, and now broken arrows. As one election expert quoted,

"People do the craziest things when they're asked to connect the arrows."

Just imagine those old people with shaky hands walking into a voting booth in November and trying to connect the broken arrows. Next time around the Florida election committee is probably going to make the voters write a 10 page essay describing who they want to elect, double spaced, with diagrams!

Related Articles:
"New Florida Ballot called Confusing" [WPost]

Dance Bush Dance

Lately George W Bush has been trying hard to appeal to groups that don't usually vote Republican. One of those key demographics is the Ballroom Dancers of America(i.e. gay guys). Bush is seen here throwing a double whammy, Learning to dance with none other than Mr. John McCain! It is hard to tell, but I think they are doing the tango! More to come...

Grand Old Party

It seems that there is a big difference between a real celebrity, and a GOP celebrity. While the Democratic convention was jam packed with celebrities from Ben Affleck to P. Diddy, the Republican convention will be relying on legions of Country singers to appeal to the celebrity hungry public. Ironically, the real star power in NY during the convention may be the people there to protest. Among those protesting and reacting to the presence of Republicans in the Big Apple are Margaret Cho, Eve Ensler, Alec Baldwin, Kathleen Turner, Joanne Woodward, Lou Reed, Moby, Joan Osborne, John Sayles and Robert Altman. However the Republicans can at least count on one blockbuster movie to show up.... Arnold Schwartzenegger. I just hope he doesn't destroy New York city with his legions of robotic machines.

Related Articles:
"GOP Party Scene" [CNN]

Friday Gossip

Former Vice President Al Gore was caught speeding while driving a rented car along the Oregon coast. He was caught for doing 75 in a 55 zone and was fined $141. To make matters worse, the state trooper who stopped him didn't recognize Gore until he looked at his license. [ABC]

During the upcoming GOP convention, CNN will take over the Tick Tock Diner across the street from Madison Square Garden to dish out free food to delegates and media types. The diner will also serve as a sound stage for "Crossfire". [NYP]

Nicky Hilton is now a newlywed. She went to great lengths to keep her quickie wedding in Las Vegas quiet, including buying up the 90 photos taken of the ceremony. But somehow the pictures got out and now Nicky is filing a suite aginst People magazine. [PageSix]

Tom Brokaw is apparently very upset about not being asked to be a moderator during any of the upcoming Presidential Debates. The executive director of the Commission on Presidential Debates said "It's important for the moderators to focus attention on the candidates." In response Brokaw said "I am particularly outraged that the commission failed to choose anyone from NBC News personnel for a moderator's role. For a commission that has assumed primary power in the exercise of the democratic process, you have a peculiarly autocratic style." Whoa there Brokaw! [NYDT]

During President Bush's campaign trip to Wisconsin, he briefly stopped by the Cady Cheese Factory and Shoppe. Apparently during a tour of the factory Bush asked his tour guide Dale Marcott, what they did at the factory? To which Marcott replied, "We make cheese, it's a cheese factory" [WT]

Not So Swift

In a response to the ads by Swift Boat Veterans for "Truth", Kerry replies "I never saw those guys either." It seems like the story's by some of the people who served in Vietnam with John Kerry are not based on many facts. Of particular interest is that most of the people in the Ads "served in Vietnam" with Kerry in the same way that Bill Clinton served... from a distance. Kerry also had this to say:

"It is funny that those other soldiers don't remember me in Vietnam getting shot at, it is probably because I always wore my sunglasses and hat down low on my head to look cool, the camouflage might have also thrown them off. While those guys were busy water skiing behind their swift boats, I was fighting a war, and I looked damn good doing it! Haven't you all seen the stoic pictures my campaign has distributed?"

The Non-Fake Related Articles:
"Records Contradict Kerry Critic's Charges" [Reuters]
"Kerry Campaign Debunks False Swift Boat Attacks" [News Wire]

Pentagon Press Leak

Do you ever get the feeling that the military is shaping the way the war is covered? Case in point; All the major news papers today front with information on the soon to be released Pentagon report on the abuses at Abu Ghraib prison. Interestingly all the stories have the exact same quotes from the exact same "unnamed" source. Humm... Seems more like an official press release than a leak. Looks like the Pentagon is trying to weaken the blow with fake prerelese leaks. Too bad none off the papers even mention the possibility that they are being played like a full string orchestra.

Related Articles:
"Abuse Inquiry Faults Officers on Leadership" [NYT]
"Report on Iraq Abuse Will Widen the Blame" [LAT]

Preemptive Strike

While Mayor Bloomberg is offering retail discounts to protester at the upcoming Republican Convention, the FBI is offering interrogations. Across the country, FBI agents have been conducting interrogations and handing out subpoenas to people and groups they suspect may be coming to New York to protest the convention. This seems like an intimidation tactic that is only going to make the protestors even more determined, not to mention it seems unconstitutional. I guess you have to keep in mind that just two months ago the bureau released an opinion that it was ok to torture terror suspects in some cases. They are all about the Preemptive strike, but on protestors? Really? I think the FBI is sorely in need of a new PR agent, especially with this being an election year.

Related Articles:
"FBI goes knocking..." [NYT]

Doggy Kidnap

Poor Paris Hilton just can't get a break! First the house she shares with her sister in Beverly Hills is burglarized and now she may have a case of doggy kidnap. Paris' little dog tinkerbell has gone missing according to signs all over West Beverly Hills. And what might one said dog be worth to Miss. Hilton? Well there is a $5000 reward. Everyone can breath a sigh of relief, apparently the dog has now been found, no word on dead or alive.

Democratic Felons

In an election year where every vote is going to count, a key issue is who is going to be barred from casting a ballot come November. Apparently over 4 and a half million Americans will be prevented from casting a ballot this election due to state laws, including 13 percent of African American men. Unfortunately many people have been mistakenly excluded. Many people are excluded for being felons, however after a criminal is released from probation, they are eligible to vote again. It is not surprising that these people are being left out after hearing what the Alabama Republican Chairman had to say about letting people vote. "We're opposed to it because felons don't tend to vote Republican." I guess ex-felons don't vote republican either!

Related Articles:
"Why can't ex-felons vote?" [WPost]
"Felon voting bill ensnares Reily" [Al]

Activists Sell Out

As the republican convention looms in NYC, protestors have been given a peace offering by Mayor Bloomberg. "Peaceful" protestors will be able to get buttons that will allow them deep discounts at local museums and restaurants. Places ranging from the Whitney Art Museum to TGI Fridays will allow the protestors to not only get their point across but also save some money while they chow down on delicious jalapeno poppers and hot wings!

Electoral College

Though polling numbers can change quickly, they still are a good gauge of how the American people are responding to the messages of the Presidential candidates. However as we now know from 2000, there is a big difference between who gets the most votes and who wins the election due to a little thing called the electoral college. The people at electoral-vote.com have translated those weekly State polls into the electoral college votes the candidates would garner if the election happened today and graphed it all pretty like. Very interesting.

Related Articles:
"Electoral College Graph" [Electoral Vote]

Friday Gossip

Governor McGreevey of New Jersey came out today to say he is proud to be gay... and then he promptly resigned from office. [ABC]

Vanessa Kerry daughter of John Kerry has been emailing Chelsea Clinton about what life in the White House bubble is like. [CNN]

Speaking of Chelsea, friends close to her say she is done standing on the political sidelines and will soon pick a political cause to champion. [USNWR]

During a trip to LA, Jerry Seinfeld's wife apparently liked the instructor of the Yoga class she was taking there so much, that she offered him $500,000 to move to NY so she could continue taking his class. [Page Six]

President Bush's campaign will apparently be making lots more stops at regular fast food joints to show that he is a typical guy. The campaign feels like the American people are losing sight of the fact that Bush "Is just a regular Guy." So don't be surprised to see him at your local Dunkin Donuts or McDonalds in the near future. [USNWR]

Justin Timberlake and Cameron Diaz have decided to get married [Herald Sun]

Madona is going to be opening a Kabbalah primary school in New York, so red string company's get ready to go into over time [MSN]

A robber in Kansas City had "Rob Bank" on his to do list [Newsday]

He's Around the Corner

During a campaign stop in California, President Bush tries to hide by ducking down in the crowd. He also explained why he has removed the "Turning a Corner" phrase from his stump speech, and why hide and seek is his favorite game.

"I love me some hide and seek, it's the funnist, Laura usually lets me play it in the Rose Garden, but a campaign rally crowd is the next best thing. I usually get down on all fours and crawl around like a covert ops commando, I learned all my slick moves from GI Joe. Also I had to stop telling everyone that we have 'Turned A Corner' because they kept finding me. My new campaign slogans are going to be much more subliminable" -President Bush

Kerry's Game

Following the revelation of President Bush's love of Hide and Seek, the Kerry campaign lets everyone know that "John loves a good game of Tag." Kerry is seen in this picture running away during a heated game of tag against the press core.

Political Qualification

Newly appointed CIA director and Florida Republican Porter Gross apparently doesn't think he is qualified for the job. During a March interview he said

"I couldn't get a job with CIA today. I am not qualified. I don't have the language skills. I don't have the cultural background, probably. And I certainly don't have the technical skills."

And this is the best guy we could find? I guess he fits more of the political qualifications, than the position qualifications. It looks like it is going to be a long nomination process, despite the democrat's promise to not oppose the nomination.

Related Articles:
"Goss on Lack of CIA Credentials" [Reuters]

Sucker Punch

Maybe Bush is tougher than we thought. The Caption says "George Bush Delivers illegal but gratifying right hook to opposing ball carrier" My question is, who was cheering on the sidelines if Yale's number one cheerleader was in the game?

The WPost's WMD's

A front page article in the Washington Post today examines how the paper gave more coverage to articles that supported going to war, verses those that cast doubts about the justification, in the months leading up to the war in Iraq. It seems articles that cast doubt on the coming war were either placed way back by the funny's section, or were not published at all. Following the admision, the editor said "We, umm... maybe might have ignored a few things... but there were always nice bright color pictures". Clearly news papers frame the way their readers get information. They not only are looking out for the business of the paper, but also the politics of the paper. At least they are coming clean, no mater how late it is!

Related Articles:
"The Post on WMD: An Inside Story" [WPost]

Political Super Stores

It looks like even super-retail stores are choosing sides in the upcoming elections. According to Daniel Gross (No relation to our new CIA Director Porter Gross) Walmart is Bush country, and Costco is Kerry land. The stores even fit the demographics of their respective party's, Walmart's concentrated in the South and Midwest, Costco's on the coasts near major urban centers. But what does this mean for the average consumer. Hopefully alongside our 24 packs of mustard bottles and 80 count packs of socks, we will soon be able to pickup industrial bins of political catch phrases and paraphernalia. You can never have enough paraphernalia!

Secretary's Day

Secretary Colin Powell will not be attending the upcoming Republican National Convention. The Secretary cited a previous commitment to a round of Golf and some "Cocktails" afterwards with some of the other cabinet members. When pressed further, Powell said "Look us secretary's only get one week off a year." When a member of the press core pointed out that they also got Secretary's Day off, Powell only scowled.

Related Articles:
"Powell to skip Republican Convention" [CNN]

i, Politician

Will Smith not only thinks he knows who the next president will be, he thinks he could be president himself. "Of course I could be president if I wanted to, but being president isn't the kind of job you'd want to have with the way things are today." Has anyone told him summer blockbuster box office ratings don't equal votes?

Related Articles:
"Will Smith may Dive into Politics" [MSNBC]

Christmas in Cambodia?

Apparently Bush is not the only person who has trouble showing where he was during Vietnam. According to other swift boat officers in the area at the time, Kerry never went into Cambodia on a secret mission as he has repeatedly claimed. I'm still not sure if this is anywhere near equivalent to Bush going MIA during National Guard service, because Kerry was still honorably serving in Vietnam somewhere. Also people usually deny involvement in secret missions. One would go so far as to say "they never happened", so is it surprising that people deny the mission took place?

Bush gets Cozy with Coal

The Bush administration is getting cozy with industry insiders again (Have they learned nothing?) This time the administration is using the CEO's of Coal companies to decide on the industry standards. I think that constitutes as a conflict of interest. This revelation will give democrat's a new battle cry to add to the party favorite "Haliberton, Haliberton, Haliberton".
"Friends in White House come to Coal's Aid" [NYT]

9/11 Report Card

The political fall out from the 9/11 commission is now beginning to become clear. The WP today outlined some of the major influences the report has had on the presidential campaign. Some of the more obvious points included John Kerry's support backing his insistence that he has credibility on the War against terror. More interesting is the assertion that the Bush administration foiled recent terrorist plots against the Capital Building. The Article also quotes Condoleeza Rice's statement that a New National intelligence Director will have control over the CIA director. Clearly it seems both sides of the campaign are claiming victory with the results of the report, it still remains to be seen what resonates with the electorate come the November election.
"9/11 Panel Rolling Campaign Platforms" [WPost]

The Key to the Senate

With such a close margin in the United States Senate, every state race has huge implications. Just last week people were marking a win in the democrat's column for new Dems "IT" boy Barack Obama of Illinois. Not so fast said the GOP, as it looks like Alan Keyes (remember he ran for president) is stepping into the race. A spokesman said he would be rolling out his campaign by the end of this weekend. Here is the catch... Keyes is not from Illinois. Carpet bagger anyone? I wonder if the Dems will make as big a deal as the GOP made about Hillary?

Related Articles:
"GOP Wooing Keyes..." [Chicago Sun-Times]

Bush Never Stops Thinking

"Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we." - President G.W. Bush, Washington, D.C., Aug. 5, 2004

Umm.... I want to know what the speech writer intended him to say. Clearly it didn't come out correctly. However, this sound byte is perfect for all the detractors that have been saying Bush has been harming our country all along.

Just Don't Steal the Doughnuts

Apparently during Kerry and Bush's campaign stops in Davenport, Iowa yesterday, the police force was spread so thin protecting both events that there were 3 successful bank robbery's that day. And they can't pass this off as normal, I can't imagine cities in Iowa have that high of a crime rate. However I do know they have the highest concentration of Kispy Kreme Doughnut Stores per person. And everyone knows you can't have a successful doughnut business with out an inactive police force as patronage, so there you go.

Big W

Bush takes some time off from campaigning and says "Word to your mother" by flashing the big "W" sign. Though I think it is cool that bush knows his middle initial, it still seems a little strange to see him flashing the "W" everywhere he goes. I hope he doesn't get confused and start flashing gang symbol's around. It actually could be a calculated move, Bush may be going after the ever elusive gangland vote. On the other hand, maybe it is not a W at all and the new Bush slogan is three more years (He spent the equivalent of around a year on vacation in Crawford during this four years, so three years would be about what we could expect out of him)

Bush/Kerry visit Winnebago Country

Some times you wake up in the morning and you want to know where the candidates for President of the United States are. Well, one has to look no further than Iowa. That perennial little state that you only hear about in conversations about presidential elections and Winnebagos (Made in Winnebago County). Bush and Kerry both made stops in Davenport, Iowa today less than a mile apart. [CNN]

Free Call Girls

Neil Bush, brother of George W Bush, recently revealed some interesting things in a recent court deposition. Neil Bush is currently in the process of getting a divorce from his wife or 23 years, which has brought to light some of his business and personal interests. Notable topics he was questioned on include; getting paid $60,000 a year to answer the phone, and free call girls in asian hotel rooms. He said the girls did not ask to be paid. "It was very unusual," Mr Bush said in response to a lawyer's question. [BBC]

Mr. Ridge Turns in Report 3 Years Late

Secretary Ridge addressed reporters outside one of the buildings his department listed as terrorist targets today; Now did he calm a nervous nations fears? Yes, but only because he admitted that the information which lead to the warning was way outdated. One official said the buildings were "vaguely referenced" in a "limited and generic way" -- for example, a single mention or a download of an Internet photo. There was no indication, the officials said, that these sites had been cased. Stated plainly by Ridge, "The information was not recent", well thanks for making us all feel a little bit safer.

Related Articles:
"Tom Ridge has some explaining to Do" [Progressive]
"Late Warning....." [Political Bits]

Late Warning with you Morning Latte

As everyone woke up this morning they found that the raised terror level was based on information that is at least three years old. Now I thought we were supposed to be fixing up the intelligence gathering process, but how are we supposed to do that when there is an apparent three year lag on important information? Next thing you know the Department of Homeland Security will be telling us that the New England Patriots are going to win the SuperBowl.... in 2002!

Candidates playing Ketchup

Now more then ever, the presidential campaign is going to be focusing on the margins to secure those last few votes in swing states that could make a difference. Political Bits has compiled a list of some groups of undecided voters that the Kerry and Bush campaign may want to focus on.

• The Flipflop sandals makers association of New Hampshire
• The Ohio Confetti Makers Union
• The alligator Hunters Association of Florida
• Ketchup Lover anonymous, Pennsylvania
• Yale Alumni, Class of 1966 and 1968

Bounce Kerry Bounce

The race between President Bush and Sen. John Kerry is as close as it has ever been, despite the Democratic National Convention last week. The latest CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll released Sunday, doesn't really say much of anything. As always Bush and Kerry are tied in a statistical dead heat, and there still hasn't been a defining moment where one or the other can pull away. [Washington Times]

Backstreets Black and Blue

There are conflicting stories about little Paris Hilton. The NYP says that Paris was black and blue after an altercation with Backstreet Boy Nick Carter. However there is suspiciously no source and no date on the photos. However, Paris was in LA at the Bridge Hampton Polo club this weekend, buise free. Maybe Paris has a high iron diet.

Related Article:
Nick and Paris call it quits [Political Bits]

Extreme Iranian Makeover

The religious hardliners of Iran seem to take few exception to extreme religious doctrine. However when it come to transexual operations, the Ayatollah Khomeini has apparently given his approval. One Iranian Mullah paid for his assistant to become a women, and then married her. I wonder how other Muslim around the world feel about these extreme makeovers? [NYT]

Yo Hablo Election

Kerry reaches out to his miority base. Shows he can speak Spanish, at least a little. Bush shots "I SPEAK SPANISH TOO!!" I wonder what other languages the campaigns will roll out ads it? Chineese, Ebonics, Pig-Latin?

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The Negative Ad Race [Political Bits]