Tuesday, November 14, 2006
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Compiled by Stephen Bach CNN Washington Bureau Making news today... Is it real? Check out the story in Hot Topics below! President's Schedule: Also on the Political Radar: ================================================================= Political Hot Topics (Today's top political stories from news organizations across the country) BLAIR SUGGESTS "PARTNERSHIP" WITH IRAN, SYRIA: The first cracks in the united front over Iraq between Tony Blair and President Bush appeared last night as the Prime Minister offered Iran and Syria the prospect of dialogue over the future of Iraq and the Middle East. Mr Blair said that there could be a new "partnership" with Iran if it stopped supporting terrorism in Iraq and gave up its nuclear ambitions. Syria and Iran could choose partnership or "isolation". The Prime Minister tried to exploit moves in Washington to rethink strategy on Iraq by holding out the prospect of engagement with two countries once dubbed by Mr Bush as part of the "axis of evil". For the first time he also explicitly ruled out military action against Iran. Times Online: Iran and Syria can be Blair's 'partners for peace' BUSH AND OLMERT KEEP UP "TOUGH TALK" ON IRAN: President Bush and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert of Israel kept up their tough talk on Iran on Monday, warning it once again to drop its nuclear ambitions, even as Prime Minister Tony Blair of Britain suggested that Tehran could take a role in stabilizing Iraq under "a new partnership." Officials in Israel have expressed increasing fear that Mr. Bush will reduce the pressure on Iran to cease its nuclear program as calls increase from European allies and at home to seek Tehran's help in Iraq. But Mr. Bush, speaking after his meeting with the Israeli leader, said his position on talks with Iran had not changed. "If the Iranians want to have a dialogue with us, we have shown them a way forward," he said, "and that is for them to verify - verifiably suspend their enrichment activities." New York Times: Bush and Israeli Prime Minister Maintain Tough Front on Iran ADMIN QUIET ABOUT IRAQ STUDY GROUP MEETING: The White House was extremely guarded yesterday about the round of meetings the study group held with Bush and other members of his administration, including Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, national security adviser Stephen J. Hadley and Vice President Cheney. Bush said he was not going to "prejudge" the group's report, which is expected in early December. He said that they had a "really good discussion" and that he was looking forward to "interesting ideas." White House press secretary Tony Snow and other aides offered little elaboration, describing the session as a "general conversation about the situation there." Snow said it was not a time for "proposal shopping" by the study group. Washington Post: Bush Faces New Calls to Shift Policies On Mideast LEVIN CALLS FOR "PHASED REDEPLOYMENT" OF U.S. TROOPS: The White House yesterday rejected Democrats' proposals for a phased withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq as lacking specifics or "meat on the bones"... Democrats have claimed a mandate after last week's elections to force a change in Iraq policy, and key Senate Democrats yesterday called for the first troops to be withdrawn within six months as a signal to Iraqis that the United States is not their "security blanket." "That's the message that came through so clearly and powerfully last Tuesday from the American people. Most Democrats share the view that we should pressure the White House to commence the phased redeployment of U.S. troops from Iraq in four to six months," said Sen. Carl Levin of Michigan, who is in line to become the next chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee. Washington Times: Proposed Iraq pullout lacking specifics WHAT AMERICANS EXPECT FROM THE DEMS: Americans are pinning their hopes for the country's future on the incoming Democratic Congress and its largely unfamiliar leaders, the latest USA TODAY/Gallup Poll shows. In the poll taken Thursday through Sunday, just after Democrats swept to majorities in the House and Senate, those surveyed said by nearly 2-to-1 that they want Democrats to have more influence than President Bush on the direction of the nation. Nearly half said the country will be better off under Democrats; 16% said it will be worse off; and one-third predicted no difference. Bush's job-approval rating was 33%, tying his second-lowest ever. The Republican Party was viewed favorably by 35% - an eight-year low. Democrats had a 57% favorable rating, their highest since January 2004 and 4 percentage points higher than the 53% share that exit polls indicated the party's congressional candidates won on Election Day. USA Today: Public expects the Democrats to deliver FULL POLL RESULTS (via USATODAY.com) "POWER STRUGGLES AND JOCKEYING OVER THE SPOILS OF VICTORY": Democrats returned to Capitol Hill on Monday to prepare for a transfer of power in Congress, but their postelection emphasis on unity quickly dissolved into power struggles and jockeying over the spoils of victory. Much of the squabbling stemmed from the decision over the weekend by presumed House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to endorse a longtime loyalist to be her second-in-command. In backing Iraq war critic Rep. John P. Murtha of Pennsylvania for the post, Pelosi, of San Francisco, turned her back on another Democrat who is in line for the job and is favored by many of her party's more moderate members. Los Angeles Times: Power struggles unravel Democrats' unity PELOSI CRITICIZED FOR MURTHA ENDORSEMENT: House Speaker-designate Nancy Pelosi's endorsement of Rep. John P. Murtha's bid for House majority leader set off a furor yesterday on Capitol Hill, with critics charging that she is undercutting her pledge to clean up corruption by backing a veteran lawmaker who they say has repeatedly skirted ethical boundaries... Some Democratic lawmakers and watchdog groups say they are baffled that Pelosi would go out of her way to back Murtha's candidacy after pledging to make the new 110th Congress the most ethical and corruption-free in history. Murtha, a longtime senior Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, has battled accusations over the years that he has traded federal spending for campaign contributions, that he has abused his post as ranking party member on the Appropriations defense subcommittee, and that he has stood in the way of ethics investigations. Those charges come on top of Murtha's involvement 26 years ago in the FBI's Abscam bribery sting. Washington Post: In Backing Murtha, Pelosi Draws Fire RANGEL EMPHASIZES SUPPORT FOR HOYER: With control of Congress changing hands, the battle now brewing on Capitol Hill is between powerful Harlem Rep. Charles Rangel and Speaker-in-waiting Nancy Pelosi over who should serve as the second-most important Democrat in the House... Rangel told The Post that he thought Hoyer, the current Democratic whip, deserved to remain in the No. 2 spot. "He's done a tremendous job," Rangel said. "The question for me is: What has he done that he should be denied the opportunity to move up?" While he didn't commit to voting for him, Rangel said he couldn't "think of any reason" why Hoyer shouldn't move up. New York Post: RANGEL & PELOSI SLUG IT OUT SENATE DEMS HOLD ELECTIONS: Not wasting time, Senate Democrats will be caucusing Tuesday to pick their leaders for the next Congress. Barely a week passed since the midterm elections in which the Democrats wrested Senate control from the Republicans. Sen. Harry Reid of Nevada was unchallenged to become the schedule-setting majority leader, succeeding possible presidential candidate Bill Frist, R-Tenn., whose self-imposed two-term limit expires this year. The vote-counting Democratic whip is expected to be Sen. Richard Durbin of Illinois. Democratic leaders have asked Sen. Charles Schumer of New York to continue as the chairman of the party's senatorial campaign committee after overseeing last week's elections. AP via Yahoo! News: Senate Democrats to choose party leaders LOTT'S QUIET WHIP BID: As he presses ahead with his under-the-radar bid for Minority Whip, Sen. Trent Lott (R-Miss.) has enlisted roughly 10 Senators representing a cross section of the Republican Conference to help press his case in what appears to be a nail-biter contest for the No. 2 GOP leadership slot. Lott has declined requests in recent days to talk about his leadership bid, but his office now avows that the one-time Majority Leader is actively campaigning for Whip against Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.). Republican sources in both the Lott and Alexander camps said the race is very tight heading into Wednesday's secret-ballot vote of 49 Republican Senators. "Sen. Lott is running for Republican Whip," said Lott spokeswoman Susan Irby. "His name will be on the ballot. We are closing in on victory." Roll Call: Lott Enlists Allies for Bid GIULIANI FORMS EXPLORATORY COMMITTEE IN NEW YORK: Rudolph W. Giuliani, the former mayor of New York City, has taken the first step to mounting a presidential candidacy, forming an organization in New York State on Friday to explore a White House run. Mr. Giuliani stopped short of filing documents with the Federal Election Commission to create a presidential campaign committee, a step that Gov. Tom Vilsack of Iowa, a Democrat, and Representative Duncan Hunter of California, a Republican, have taken. "Mayor Giuliani has not made a decision yet," John H. Gross, a lawyer at Proskauer Rose and a former campaign treasurer for Mr. Giuliani, said in a statement. "With the filing of this document, we have taken the necessary legal steps so an organization can be put in place and money can be raised to explore a possible presidential run in 2008." New York Times: Giuliani Moves to Explore Bid MARTINEZ WILL BE RNC CHAIRMAN: Sen. Mel Martinez (R-Fla.), a close White House ally and a Cuban American, has agreed to become the next general chairman of the Republican National Committee, GOP officials said. The appointment comes in the wake of an election that yielded shrinking GOP support from Hispanic voters. Martinez, a first-term senator, will remain in office and serve as the party's chief spokesman and fundraiser heading into the 2008 elections. Mike Duncan, the RNC's current general counsel and a former party treasurer, will manage day-to-day operations and be elected chairman in January, Republican aides said. Washington Post: Florida Senator Will Be a Top RNC Officer BUSH AND SHARPTON SPAR AT MLK GROUNDBREAKING: At the dedication of the new Martin Luther King Jr. memorial, Bush unexpectedly reached up into the third row of guests to greet Sharpton and initiate the debate. "It's great that you're here" and "you all had a good week last week," Bush told Sharpton, according to the Sharpton camp. "Don't feel too bad," Sharpton told Bush about the GOP nosedive in the congressional elections. "I lost some elections and kept going," said Sharpton, who has yet to win an election while losing bids for mayor, senator and President. "I guess that's good advice coming from you," a smiling Bush replied in a dig at Sharpton's vast experience - at losing. Not to be topped, Sharpton shot back: "The only thing is, that isn't the last election we're going to win." New York Daily News: Bush trades jabs with Rev. Al over elections TAKE DOWN THE SIGNS! Election Day has come and gone, and now comes the true test for candidates: how well they clean up after themselves. With a bumper crop of more than 20 million campaign signs this election season, the race has begun. "Only shallow candidates have lots of volunteers ready to put the signs out but not enough volunteers ready to take them down," said Steve Grubbs, a former Iowa legislator and founder of VictoryStore.com, which sold more than five million yard and roadway signs this year, double the number from 2004. "It's a lot of signs to deal with, but they're slackers if they can't get them down within a week of the election." For some, that is too long to wait. New York Times: After Vote, Public Demands Change: Take Down the Signs RUMSFELD SUED IN GERMANY: Donald Rumsfeld, who quit as US defense secretary last week, is facing a lawsuit in Germany over alleged abuses at Guantanamo Bay and in Iraq. The complaint was filed by the Center for Constitutional Rights, a lawyers' group, on behalf of a Saudi man held in Cuba and 11 Iraqis held in Baghdad. German law allows the pursuit of cases originating anywhere in the world. The Center made a similar request in 2004 but German prosecutors dropped that case. Michael Ratner, the Center's president, said he felt the case had a better chance of success now because Mr Rumsfeld was no longer in office and could not exert the same degree of "political pressure". BBC News: Rumsfeld faces German legal test "STOMACH-CHURNING" RECOUNT RIDE IN CT: The roller coaster recount in the 2nd Congressional District took a sharp turn Monday afternoon when officials in one small eastern Connecticut town discovered an error that had given Democrat Joe Courtney 100 extra votes. By nightfall, though, Courtney had gained back 40 of those votes due to the discovery of another error in another small town that had inflated the vote totals of his opponent, Republican incumbent Rob Simmons. Later the same evening, a computation error in yet a third town gave Republicans an additional 31 votes, according to the state party chairman. The stomach-churning ride is expected to screech to a halt late tonight, when every community in the sprawling, 65-town district will have completed its mandated recount. Hartford Courant: In 2nd, Battle Of Give, Take BOTH FL-13 CANDIDATES SHOW UP FOR ORIENTATION: Come January, only one will be sworn in. But Republican Vern Buchanan, who claimed victory in the race to replace Rep. Katherine Harris, and Christine Jennings, the Democrat who trails him by 373 votes amid thousands of undervotes, both showed up for freshman orientation Monday, joining a group of bewildered-looking new members of Congress who are getting to know the U.S. Capitol. The two joined their colleagues for the closed-door session as Florida officials gathered in Sarasota to begin investigating the county's touch-screen voting machines. The machines recorded that more than 18,000 voters had skipped the race -- far more than the undervote in other counties in the congressional district. Buchanan, who declared victory last week, said he believes many voters simply declined to vote in the race, given rancorous primaries on both sides. Miami Herald: Both candidates make a showing in D.C. EXPERT SAYS RARE STAMP ON BALLOT IS PROBABLY FAKE: The red and blue mystery stamp with the upside-down biplane made its public debut Monday. It seemed small for its possibly legendary reputation. Was this the rare Inverted Jenny stamp, one of which sold for $525,000 last year? Did an absentee voter unwittingly mail a Broward County ballot, later disqualified, with one of the most famous stamps on the planet? Michael DuBasso, director of the nonprofit American Philatelic Foundation in Los Angeles, doubted the stamp's authenticity after studying a photo of it e-mailed by the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. "Somebody has definitely got to see the item to make a positive identification," he said. Broward Supervisor of Elections Brenda Snipes displayed the stamp for about 10 minutes Monday. South Florida Sun-Sentinel: Specialist doubts authenticity of inverted stamp used on absentee ballot THE STAMP (via sun-sentinel.com) |
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The CNN Political Ticker provides the latest political news.To sign up for our twice daily Ticker emails, visit CNN.com member services page. If you do not have a CNN.com account, you can register here. If you have any feedback, suggestions or news tips, drop us a line here. NEW IN THE TICKER
• Hoyer confident in victory without Pelosi endorsem...• Giuliani forms presidential exploratory committee • McCain to open up exploratory committee this week • Dem challenger's lead narrows to 66 votes in Conne... • Rumsfeld cancels plan to join Bush at NATO summit • Ahead on CNN • Martinez to become new RNC chief • Freshmen lawmakers begin orientation • October budget deficit slightly higher than last y... • Bush says he looks forward to reading Iraq report SUBSCRIBE
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