Wednesday, March 14, 2007
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Compiled by Stephen Bach CNN Washington Bureau Making news today... Gonzales said he charged his chief of staff, D. Kyle Sampson, with determining "where we could do better" after then-White House Counsel Harriet Miers suggested canning all 93 U.S. attorneys, an idea Gonzales says he opposed. Full story at CNN.com MILES O'BRIEN: Do you feel it's time for you to step down? ATTORNEY GENERAL ALBERTO GONZALES: That will be a decision for the President of the United States to make. I think if you look at the record of the department... O'BRIEN: But should you tender - should you offer your resignation? Is it time to offer your resignation? GONZALES: That is a decision for the President of the United States to make. I'm going to be focused on identifying what went wrong here, correcting those mistakes, and focus on the good for the American people... O'BRIEN: But the decision on whether to offer your resignation is yours, is it not? GONZALES: I'm focused on doing my job. President's Schedule: Bush departs Merida at 1 pm ET en route Andrews Air Force Base. Also on the Political Radar: Schedule of speakers: 9 am ET Former U.S. Sen. John Edwards (D-N.C.) 9:30 am ET Former Virginia Gov. Jim Gilmore (R) 10 am ET U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) 10:30 am ET U.S. Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.) 11 am ET U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) 12:30 pm ET U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback (R-Kan.) 1 pm ET U.S. Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.) 1:30 pm ET U.S. Sen. Christopher Dodd (D-Conn.) 2 pm ET Gov. Bill Richardson (D-N.M.) 2:30 pm ET U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) 3 pm ET U.S. Sen. Joe Biden (D-Del.) ================================================================= Political Hot Topics (Today's top political stories from news organizations across the country) GONZALES ADMITS "MISTAKES," REJECTS CALLS FOR RESIGNATION: Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales took responsibility yesterday for "mistakes" related to the firing of eight U.S. attorneys last year but rejected calls for his resignation from Democrats who accuse him of misleading Congress. "I acknowledge that mistakes were made here. I accept that responsibility," Gonzales said. He said he did not know the details of the plan to fire the prosecutors, but he defended the dismissals: "I stand by the decision, and I think it was a right decision." The remarks came after the Justice Department released e-mails and other documents showing that, despite months of administration statements to the contrary, the White House more than two years ago initiated the process that led to the dismissals, and that the decisions were heavily influenced by assessments of the prosecutors' political loyalty. Washington Post: Gonzales: 'Mistakes Were Made' EMAILS LIFT CURTAIN ON DECISION TO FIRE PROSECUTORS: Late in the afternoon on Dec. 4, a deputy to Harriet E. Miers, then the White House counsel and one of President Bush's most trusted aides, sent a two-line e-mail message to a top Justice Department aide. "We're a go," it said, approving a long-brewing plan to remove seven federal prosecutors considered weak or not team players. The message, from William K. Kelley of the White House counsel's office to D. Kyle Sampson, the chief of staff to Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales, put in motion a plan to fire United States attorneys that had been hatched 22 months earlier by Ms. Miers. Three days later, the seven prosecutors were summarily dismissed. An eighth had been forced out in the summer. New York Times: 'Loyalty' to Bush and Gonzales Was Factor in Prosecutors' Firings, E-Mail Shows "MILD REGRET," BUT NO APOLOGY FROM PACE: Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, expressed mild regret Tuesday for voicing his belief that homosexual acts are "immoral," but he stopped short of an apology as gay rights groups and a powerful Republican senator rebuked the general for the comments he made to the Chicago Tribune. As critics fired rhetorical volleys, Pace issued a statement expressing regret that he had put so much stress on the morality issue when he defended the Pentagon's "don't ask, don't tell" ban on gays serving openly in the military during a Monday interview with the Tribune's editorial board. "In expressing my support for the current policy, I also offered some personal opinions about moral conduct," Pace said in his statement. "I should have focused more on my support of the policy and less on my personal moral views." Chicago Tribune: Gen. Pace regrets comments about gay acts being 'immoral' but doesn't apologize BUSH PROMISES "SOCIAL JUSTICE" FOR LATIN AMERICA'S POOR: In the slums of Brazil, in the impoverished villages of Guatemala and finally here in Mexico, President Bush promised this week to deliver "social justice" to poor and struggling Latin Americans left behind by the global economy. Mr. Bush's striking use of the revolutionary language of the left reflected an urgent attempt to stave off the growing regional influence of populist leaders like President Hugo Chávez of Venezuela, who have used the discontent of the poor to push an anti-American agenda. Mr. Bush's tour, Latin American analysts say, signifies a new phase in a post-cold-war struggle for allegiance in South and Central America - regions that have fallen out of focus in Washington as Mr. Bush has pursued two wars and a wider campaign against terrorism in the Middle East. New York Times: Answering Latin Left, Bush Pledges to Help Poor "BETTER WAYS" TO FIGHT ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION THAN FENCE, SAYS CALDERON: Mexican President Felipe Calderon yesterday criticized the 850 miles of border fence that President Bush and Congress approved last year, saying there are better ways to stop illegal immigration. "We do consider in a respectful way that we may truly stop the migration by building a kilometer of highway in Michoacan or Zacatecas than 10 kilometers of walls in the border," Mr. Calderon said during a welcome ceremony here, according to the official translation. Mr. Calderon, who was sworn in as president in December, said it is time for Mr. Bush to re-establish the working relationship he had promised in early 2001, before the September 11 terrorist attacks reordered Washington's priorities. Washington Times: Calderon condemns border fence COUNTING, BUT NOT WHIPPING ON IRAQ BILL: House Democratic leaders will not whip the Iraq supplemental spending bill, on grounds they don't want to apply political pressure on a matter of war and peace. "It's a conscience vote," House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-S.C.) said after yesterday's Democratic Caucus meeting. But he added his office had begun to "survey" members now that more are looking at the 170-page bill. "Have we got the 218 votes to pass it? I don't know," Clyburn said. House leaders normally do not whip votes of conscience. But just because they are not whipping does not mean they are not counting. As Clyburn suggested, they can "survey" members of the caucus, which they have been doing since last week. The Hill: House Dems will 'survey' but not whip Iraq bill votes "UPHILL BATTLE" FOR IMMIGRATION REFORM: President Bush says he wants an immigration bill this year. So do the top Democratic leaders in the House and Senate. Other supporters range from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to the Service Employees International Union. Seldom has legislation received such high-profile backers from across such a broad ideological spectrum. And seldom has legislation with such powerful backing faced such an uphill battle. Behind the scenes, both on and off Capitol Hill, efforts have been underway for weeks to build momentum for a sweeping new immigration law designed to eliminate the nation's underground economy by intensifying security along the nation's borders, broadening opportunities for foreigners to work in the USA and legalizing many of the 12 million people who live in the country illegally. USA Today: Supporters still committed; immigration bill still stalled "FEISTY SPARRING" AS DC VOTING RIGHTS BILL IS APPROVED IN COMMITTEE: A congressional committee approved a bill yesterday granting the District a full vote in the House of Representatives, giving the measure its first victory in what will probably be weeks of fierce wrangling as it moves through Congress. The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform voted 24 to 5 for the bill, an endorsement its supporters expected. But in a likely sign of things to come, there was feisty sparring, with opponents calling the measure unconstitutional and marshaling amendments to derail it. One amendment, which was successfully attached to the bill, seeks to prevent the District from eventually getting voting representatives in the Senate. Washington Post: Bill to Give D.C. Full House Vote Advances PELOSI BOOED OVER IRAQ REMARKS AT AIPAC: Members of the preeminent pro-Israel lobbying group booed House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) yesterday after she said that the Iraq war has been a failure on several scores. The boos, mixed with polite applause, contrasted starkly with the reception House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) received minutes earlier. Most of the crowd of 5,000 to 6,000 stood and loudly applauded Boehner when he said the U.S. had no choice but to win in Iraq. The response was also notable because of the crowd's generally warm reception for Pelosi, who was cheered when introduced to the crowd as the country's first woman Speaker. The Hill: Pelosi is booed at AIPAC MEEHAN DEPARTURE ANNOUNCEMENT RELEASES "YEARS OF PENT-UP POLITICAL AMBITION": Word yesterday of US Representative Martin T. Meehan's imminent departure from Washington released years of pent-up political ambition in Massachusetts. At least seven Democrats said they will run for the state's first congressional opening in six years, and as many as three Republicans have expressed their interest to party leaders. Niki Tsongas, a Democrat and the widow of US senator Paul Tsongas, is the highest-profile candidate in the race so far. Besides having strong name recognition, she has signed on Doug Rubin, senior strategist for Governor Deval Patrick's campaign, and has attracted big-name donors. But the contest could be fierce, with at least three state representatives, a mayor, a former mayor, and a veteran sheriff in the mix of potential candidates. Political analysts estimate the eventual nominees will have to raise between $1 million and $2.5 million each. Boston Globe: Rare opening means big, expensive race CA POLS SUDDENLY "BEING WOOED WITH VIGOR": A few Fridays ago, Hillary Clinton visited Antonio Villaraigosa and his family at the mayor's official residence in Windsor Square for what a mayoral aide described as a "relaxed and personal" conversation. But the evening's competitive courtship of Villaraigosa had just begun: Later that night, former Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina took him to dinner. California's politicians, used to being largely ignored in presidential politics, are being wooed with vigor as candidates for the White House look for guidance, endorsements and money in the Golden State's newly relevant 2008 presidential primary. Candidates have also stepped up their public appearances in usually forsaken areas of the state and are starting to show keen interest in issues that national candidates have rarely bothered to learn about. Los Angeles Times: February primary plan gives state leaders new clout IAFF SPAT HIGHLIGHTS NYC FIRST RESPONDERS' "MIXED VIEWS" ON GIULIANI: John McCain will be there, as will Hillary Rodham Clinton, John Edwards and half a dozen other presidential candidates. But when firefighters hold a candidates forum today in Washington, Rudolph W. Giuliani, the contender most closely identified with their profession, will not attend. In the past several days, a private tussle over Mr. Giuliani's participation — he was out, then in, then out again — has turned into a public spat with the International Association of Fire Fighters. That, in turn, has highlighted an uncomfortable paradox of Mr. Giuliani's campaign. Since the Sept. 11 attacks, when he was mayor of New York City, Mr. Giuliani has been linked in the public mind to firefighters and police officers, whom he regularly hails as heroes as he campaigns around the country. Yet the firefighters and police officers who know Mr. Giuliani best, those in New York City, have mixed views of him, ranging from admiration to outright hostility. New York Times: Firefighters Group in Rift With Giuliani CLINTON BRINGS BACK "VAST RIGHT-WING CONSPIRACY" LINE: Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton yesterday revived a much-ridiculed phrase she first used during the Monica Lewinsky scandal - saying there is a "vast-right-wing conspiracy" to attack Democrats and steal elections. Speaking to Democratic municipal officials, Clinton cited the distribution of "misleading and fraudulent" voter information in the last election and a New Hampshire phone-jamming scheme that got a GOP official convicted. "If anybody tells you there is no vast right-wing conspiracy, tell them that New Hampshire has proven it in court," she said. New York Post: HILL IS 'RIGHT' BACK TO HER OLD WAYS THE "REPACKAGED" EDWARDS' NEW "PITCH": [T]he 2004 vice presidential nominee has a repackaged message framing the campaign as a struggle that pits the political and corporate elite against regular people who just want to make a decent living, afford health care and end the Iraq war. Edwards, who made millions as a personal-injury lawyer taking on big business, tells audiences he understands that they feel squeezed because they "pay more for everything … but their pay is not going up." Edwards' challenge is to convince voters in primaries and caucuses that he is a populist who would put their interests above those of big corporations and big government. He must prove that message will triumph over the personal and political appeal of Clinton and Obama, and sell across the nation, especially to moderate and independent voters important in a general election. USA Today: Can Edwards win with an 'us vs. them' pitch? SHRUM SAYS HE PUSHED EDWARDS TO VOTE FOR WAR AUTHORIZATION IN 2002: Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards was skeptical about voting for the Iraq war resolution and was pushed into it by advisers looking out for his political future, according to an upcoming book by one of his former consultants. Democratic strategist Bob Shrum writes in his memoir to be published in June that he regrets advising Edwards to give President Bush the authority to go to war in Iraq. He said if Edwards had followed his instincts instead of the advice of political professionals, he would have been a stronger presidential candidate in 2004. Edwards said he had "no idea" what meeting Shrum was talking about. He said he hasn't read the book, so he could not address specific details. "It was not a political calculation," Edwards told reporters after an appearance at Bennett College in Greensboro, N.C. "It was a mistake." AP via Yahoo! News: Adviser regrets pushing Edwards on Iraq NEWSOM GIRLFRIEND APOLOGIZES FOR ONLINE COMMENTS ABOUT AFFAIR: San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom's girlfriend apologized Monday after making disparaging comments on a local Internet site about Newsom's former commission appointments secretary, with whom he had an affair. Jennifer Siebel, an aspiring actress who splits her time between West Hollywood and San Francisco, commented extensively about Newsom's affair on the blog SFist.com, in which she said Ruby Rippey-Tourk is someone with a "checkered history." Siebel made the comments in reaction to others on the SFist site who criticized her after a story in Sunday's Chronicle about Siebel's new movie and in which she defended Newsom's affair with Rippey-Tourk, the wife of the mayor's longtime political aide, Alex Tourk. In the story, Siebel said of Rippey-Tourk, who worked in Newsom's office at the time of the affair: "The woman is the culprit." San Francisco Chronicle: Newsom's girlfriend apologizes for remarks |
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• McCain makes 'March Madness' picks• Senate Republicans drop opposition to Iraq debate • McCain dismisses sagging poll numbers • Poll: Less than half of Americans think victory in... • Gonzales: 'Mistakes were made' in U.S. attorneys' ... • Clinton resurrects 'vast right-wing conspiracy' • Johnson's office releases photos of senator's reco... • Sharpton blames Obama camp for 'jealous' allegatio... • Top general: Remarks on gays were 'personal moral ... • White House implicated in firings, Democrats say SUBSCRIBE
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