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The Situation: Friday, November 18

Editor's Note: The Situation Report is a running log of dispatches, quotes, links and behind-the-scenes notes filed by the correspondents and producers of CNN's Washington Bureau. Watch "The Situation Room" with Wolf Blitzer on CNN 4 p.m. ET to 6 p.m. ET and 7 p.m. ET to 8 p.m. ET weekdays.

Private planes avoid Reagan airport

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_{Posted 3:38 p.m. ET
From Mike Ahlers, CNN America Bureau}

A month after the federal government reopened Reagan National Airport to private aircraft, only three private planes have flown into the airport -- a testament, critics say, to over-burdensome security restrictions.

On the morning of Oct. 18, a private aircraft made a ceremonial flight into Reagan National Airport, marking the first private aircraft to use the airport since it was closed to such flights after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. A second private plane arrived later that day. But since then, only one other private aircraft has flown through the bureaucratic hoops necessary to land at the airport, prized because of its proximity to downtown Washington.

"We think this at least in part supports our claim that (security requirements) are onerous and even prohibitive," said Dan Hubbard of the National Business Aviation Association. "I don't think we're surprised that a lot of companies are finding the process unworkable."

The federal government closed the airport to all flights on September 11, 2001, shortly after a commercial jet was flown into the Pentagon, a short distance away. Several weeks later, the government reopened the airport commercial flights, but kept it closed to private aircraft. Aviation groups say the U.S. Secret Service feared small planes flying into and out of the airport could be used to attack nearby government buildings and monuments. But after heavy lobbying from aviation groups and the intervention of Congress, the federal government announced it would allow up to 48 general aviation operations (24 aircraft) a day to use the airport.

Zarqawi tape

_{Posted 3:23 p.m. ET
From David Ensor, CNN America Bureau}

A U.S. counterterrorism official told CNN the latest audiotape purporting to be the voice of Abu Musab al Zarqawi is "part of their ongoing attempt to deal with the reaction to so many innocent Jordanian Sunnis being killed" in the Amman attacks.

U.S. counterterrorism officials note the release of the tape follows three written statements posted on websites.

"It would appear they did not expect the reaction" one official said, referring to anti-terror demonstrations in Jordan, and widespread condemnation in Arab newspapers.

U.S. officials said the CIA is conducting a technical analysis of the audiotape to compare it with known recordings of Zarqawi and will likely be able to authenticate it soon.

On the tape, the speaker said the hotels were attacked because they are used by various intelligence agencies for meetings, as well as by Israeli and American tourists. The counterterrorism officials would not comment when asked whether there were any casualties in the Amman attacks from any intelligence agency of any nation.

Lobbyist charges

_{Posted 3:18 p.m. ET
From Kevin Bohn, CNN America Bureau}

Michael Scanlon, a lawyer who worked with high-powered Washington lobbyist Jack Abramoff, has been charged with one count of conspiracy as part of an ongoing federal criminal investigation of their activities.

In a criminal information document filed in U.S. District Court and unsealed Friday, prosecutors allege Scanlon conspired to "corruptly offer and provide things of value, including money, meals, trips and entertainment, to federal public officials in return for agreements to perform official acts" benefiting Scanlon and his lobbyist partner, who is not identified in the court documents and is not facing charges.

One government official told CNN that lobbyist is Abramoff.

Prosecutors also allege Scanlon was trying to "devise a scheme and artifice to defraud" lobbying clients.

Government officials said usually a criminal information is filed in advance of a plea deal.

A Monday afternoon hearing is scheduled in the case. Justice Department officials would not comment on the hearing.

Among the high-profile clients of Scanlon and Abramoff were Indian tribes, which hired them to gain political access for them in Washington. "It was a purpose of the conspiracy for Scanlon and Lobbyist A to enrich themselves by obtaining substantial funds from their clients through fraud and concealment and through obtaining benefits for their clients through corrupt means," states the complaint.

The government alleges the conspiracy lasted from January 2000 through at least April 2004.

A phone call to Scanlon's lawyer seeking comment was not immediately returned.

The Morning Grind

_{Posted: 9:25 a.m. ET
From Mark Preston, CNN Political Unit}

A GOP win

Bleary eyed House members approved a contentious budget cutting measure early this morning, giving Republican leaders a hard fought victory to rein in spending over the next five years.

By a 217 to 215 vote, the House agreed to cut about $50 billion from various programs, one week after an attempt by GOP leaders to pass the bill failed. Within hours of the vote, President Bush hailed the bill's passage as "a significant savings package that will restrain spending and keep us on track to cut the deficit in half by 2009."

Bush, who is attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in South Korea, called on the House and Senate to "reach agreement promptly on a spending-reduction package that I can sign into law this year." The Senate passed a $35 billion budget cutting measure earlier this month. House and Senate negotiators must now try to reconcile differences between the two bills including a provision that permits oil exploration in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge contained in the Senate measure.

Fourteen Republicans joined 201 Democrats in voting against the bill. Centrist Republicans, who had delayed the bill's passage over concerns about the cuts, coerced GOP leaders to make small changes to programs such as food stamps.

Rep. Steve LaTourette (R-Ohio) first voted against the bill, but then was persuaded by GOP leaders to flip his stance, CNN's Deirdre Walsh reports. LaTourette said Republican leaders argued they needed a win on the budget to govern. "As lousy as I thought this product was, I thought it was my responsibility," LaTourette said.

The vote was gaveled down around 1:45 a.m. ET. On Thursday, Republicans lost a vote on a separate measure that funds many of the nation's health and social programs. Across the Capitol, the Senate also worked into the early morning to pass a bill to extend expiring tax cuts by a 64 to 33 margin.

Meanwhile, the rhetoric between Democrats and Republicans over Iraq continues to escalate with Rep. John Murtha (D-Pennsylvania) criticizing Vice President Cheney for seeking deferments during the Vietnam War and the White House linking Murtha to liberal filmmaker Michael Moore. Murtha, a retired Marine colonel and a hawk on military matters, called yesterday for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq. In his speech, Murtha also criticized Cheney for leading the Iraq war even though he sought not to serve in Vietnam.

"I like guys who've never been there who criticize us who've been there," Murtha said. "I like that. I like guys who got five deferments and never been there and sent people to war and then don't like to hear suggestions that what may need to be done."

The White House, which recently began forcefully defending its Iraq policy, delivered a broadside at Murtha last night by echoing earlier statements made by GOP leaders accusing him of "surrender," reports CNN's Dana Bash.

"Congressman Murtha is a respected veteran and politician who has a record of supporting a strong America," Bush spokesman Scott McClellan said in a written statement. "So it is baffling that he is endorsing the policy positions of Michael Moore and the extreme liberal wing of the Democratic Party.

"The eve of an historic democratic election in Iraq is not the time to surrender to the terrorists," McClellan said. "After seeing his statement, we remain baffled -- nowhere does he explain how retreating from Iraq makes America safer."

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-California) purposely did not endorse Murtha's plan yesterday, so as to ensure that critics "would not reject it as a left wing idea," a House Democratic source told the Grind. But Pelosi did tell her Democratic colleagues that Murtha's proposal was something to look upon favorably and she was inclined support it in the future.

As for Democrats and Republicans interested in seeking their respective party's 2008 presidential nominations, they may want to add a new name to their speed dials. For Republicans, it is Frank Guinta of New Hampshire, who defeated incumbent Manchester Mayor Bob Baines (D) earlier this month. Meanwhile, Democrats will want to curry favor with Chris Coleman, who is the mayor-elect of St. Paul, Minnesota. Guinta told the Grind he met with several potential 2008 GOP aspirants during his campaign, but specifically offered kind words for New York Gov. George Pataki (R).

"Governor Pataki came up and was kind enough to go door-to-door and campaign with me in Manchester," he said. "It was incredible to have that kind of assistance. And he hosted a fundraiser for me in Manchester."

Still, Guinta was quick to note he is not endorsing any candidate yet.

"This is 2005," Guinta said. "There is going to be plenty of time for political contenders to come to Manchester to talk to people. I look forward to it."

Coleman also has gotten to know a handful of Democrats eyeing White House bids. During his successful campaign to oust fellow Democrat Randy Kelly, Sen. John Kerry (D-Massachusetts), Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-New York), New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson (D) and retired Gen. Wesley Clark (D) campaigned on his behalf or helped him raise money. In fact, Kerry called Coleman to congratulate him on defeating Kelly moments after he delivered his victory speech. Kelly endorsed Bush over Kerry in the 2004 election. Kris Fredson, Coleman's campaign manager, said the mayor-elect is not anywhere near backing a candidate and is focusing instead on his new job.

As Congress prepares to leave town for the Thanksgiving recess, National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Tom Reynolds (New York) will hold a 10:30 a.m. briefing at the NRCC headquarters to discuss the midterm elections.

Political Hot Topics

_{Posted: 9:25 a.m. ET
From Stephen Bach, CNN Washington Bureau}

QUIET CONGRESSMAN GETS LOUD ON IRAQ: Rep. John P. Murtha, a hawkish Marine Corps veteran and one of the Democratic Party's most respected military experts, called yesterday for immediately withdrawing U.S. troops from Iraq, pushing the debate over President Bush's war policies to new heights of intensity and vitriol. "Our military's done everything that has been asked of them," he said. "The U.S. cannot accomplish anything further in Iraq militarily. It's time to bring the troops home." In staking out such a strong stance, the steel-country centrist from Western Pennsylvania gave Democrats a sober, pro-military voice to argue the case against the war. Murtha sided with his party's liberal wing, not with Democrats who want a phased pullout or want Bush to set a departure timetable. Philadelphia Inquirer: A Hawk Says Get Out

BUSH FORCED TO TALK IRAQ IN ASIA: President Bush may have come to Asia determined to show leaders here that his agenda is far broader than Iraq and terrorism, but at every stop, and every day, Mr. Bush and his aides have been fighting a rearguard action to justify how the United States got into Iraq and how to get out. On Friday morning, as Mr. Bush was meeting the leaders of Southeast Asia, his press secretary issued an unusually blistering statement responding to Representative John P. Murtha's call for a pullout from Iraq, declaring that Mr. Murtha, a Pennsylvania Democrat who had often backed Mr. Bush's military initiatives, was "endorsing the policy positions of Michael Moore and the extreme liberal wing of the Democratic Party." New York Times: Iraq Dogs President as He Crosses Asia to Promote Trade

SCOTUS AD WAR BEGINS: The battle over Supreme Court nominee Samuel A. Alito Jr. moved to the nation's airwaves yesterday, as conservative and liberal groups bought advertising time that could dwarf the meager efforts made in this year's other two confirmation efforts. As Alito continued his round of courtesy calls on senators, his critics launched new television ads painting him as a tool of right-wing conservatives. Supporters, meanwhile, announced ads that say his opponents, not Alito, are outside the political mainstream. The ad buys, as well as the early clashes between the interest groups, are another signal that Alito's confirmation will be more contentious and hard-fought than was that of Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. Washington Post: Television Ad War On Alito Begins

DEEP THROAT, PART II: Not since Bob Woodward of The Washington Post refused to divulge the identity of Deep Throat has the capital been so riveted over one of Mr. Woodward's sources. This time, three decades after Watergate, the question is who first told Mr. Woodward about the C.I.A. officer at the heart of the leak case. On Thursday, more than a half-dozen more Bush administration officials sent word, directly or indirectly, that they had not been Mr. Woodward's source. They included Stephen Hadley, the national security adviser; Marc Grossman, the former undersecretary of state; Douglas Feith, the former undersecretary of defense for policy; and Eric Edelman, the former deputy national security adviser to Vice President Dick Cheney, who has succeeded Mr. Feith at the Pentagon. In addition, a person knowledgeable about the investigation being conducted by the special counsel in the case, Patrick J. Fitzgerald, said Mr. Cheney had not been Mr. Woodward's source. New York Times: Not Since Deep Throat Has a Woodward Source Held So Many

SCHOOLS BID FOR BUSH LIBRARY: Four Texas universities made their official pitches this week to sponsor and build President Bush's presidential library after he leaves the White House. The president is expected to announce his choice in two to six months. The finalists, two in the Dallas area and three of which are private schools, have been submitting voluminous written proposals for months. On Tuesday and Wednesday, delegations appeared at Washington's Renaissance Mayflower Hotel to formally submit their proposals and answer dozens of questions from a committee headed by Mr. Bush's brother Marvin and the man described as the president's best friend, former Commerce Secretary Donald L. Evans. The library complex likely will be the finest and most expensive ever built for a chief executive's private materials and memorabilia. Participants estimate the cost at $200 million to $350 million, all paid with private donations. Washington Times: Four Texas schools compete for Bush presidential library

BUILDING WON'T BE NAMED FOR HARKIN: A building at the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta would have been named for Sen. Tom Harkin of Iowa in a bill that failed to gain House approval Thursday. Harkin is the top Democrat on the subcommittee of the Senate Appropriations Committee that doles out money for the centers, along with other human services spending. Under an amendment approved in the Senate, the centers' communications building would become the "Thomas R. Harkin Global Communications Center." The proposal was ridiculed immediately after the House vote on the conservative Drudge Report Web site as an example of lawmakers' "egos completely out of control." The amendment was offered by Sen. Daniel Inouye, D-Hawaii. Des Moines Register: U.S. House rejects naming building after Harkin

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