Heading to Crawford

I’m flying to Waco, Texas this Sunday and will spend the week reporting live outside the Bush ranch in Crawford, Texas. Stay tuned all next week. Other bloggers have been doing a great job reporting the Cindy Sheehan news from a media perspective. But starting next week, you’ll have your very own NRO reporter at ground zero of what is this summer’s biggest political drama.

Will Sheehan make it back in time for an NRO interview? Let’s certainly hope so. I’m putting together a list of questions for Ms. Sheehan assuming she makes in back from Los Angeles next week. My first planned question: Do you support the continued existence of the state of Israel?

Send other suggested questions for Ms. Sheehan to epfeiffer@nationalreview.com.

[ 08/19/2005 02:27 PM ]

Could Ohio Lose Its Red State Status?

Over at RedState.org, Mark Kilmer writes of the increasingly dire situation for Ohio Governor Bob Taft and how he is hurting fellow Republicans:

Democrats have told the Cincinnati Post that the Republican governor presides "Republican culture of corruption" and will blame his underlings.


There could be calls from within the Ohio GOP for the governor to resign, but he is expected to stick around until his term ends. The Ohio governor is not subject to recall, and the best news for the 2006 elections is that Taft will not be on the ballot. It has been suggested that if there is a case to be made against one-party (Republican) governance, it is in Ohio. If the Dems cannot strike there, the reasoning holds, this will be another tough series of elections for them.


If you have any decency remaining governor, spare the party and yourself. Resign now.

[ 08/19/2005 02:20 PM ]

Labor of Love

While preparing for a weekend visit to Iowa, John Edwards told the Des Moines Register that the departure of three unions from the AFL-CIO would not have an impact on Democrats in the 2006 elections. Edwards also insisted his return visit to Iowa had nothing to do with 2008 presidential politics, “I'm coming to Iowa because I have lots of good friends there and I want to get them involved in my effort to get something done about poverty in this country.”

[ 08/19/2005 10:42 AM ]

Scare Tactics

John McCain and Hillary Clinton have been traveling across Alaska together looking for signs of global warming. McCain told reporters, “Go up to places like we just came from. It`s a little scary.”

While McCain and Clinton saw fit to comment on Alaska’s environmental conditions, the state’s actual congressional delegation was busy attending to other matters.

[ 08/19/2005 10:36 AM ]

Rice Talks Tough on China

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice told the New York Times that China must make “significant structural changes” in its economic policies to avoid remaining “a problem for the international economy.” Rice said the White House is also concerned about China’s military buildup, its human rights record, and restrictions on religious freedom. The Times writes:

Her unusually sharp criticism was a clear indication of the administration's ambivalence and frustration with China, even as officials prepare for a state visit next month by the president of China, Hu Jintao, his first visit since taking office in 2003. …


"The relationship with China is just big and complicated, and it's got good parts and it's got not so good parts," [Rice] said. "But what we are trying to stay focused on is the understanding that China is going to be influential in international politics one way or another. It's a major power, and it's going to be an even more major power."

[ 08/19/2005 09:59 AM ]

Sheehan: 35 Percent Approval In New Poll

Rasmussen reports has a new poll out on Cindy Sheehan. She is viewed favorable by 35 percent of Americans and unfavorably by 38 percent.

As Buzz reader Matt pointed out: “Note: The 3% point difference was the same as the 2004 Presidential election. Coincidence?”

Rasmussen has a very interesting breakdown of the poll’s findings, noting:

In general, people see in Sheehan what they want to see. Opinion about her is largely based upon views of the War, rather than views about the woman herself. Democrats, by a 56% to 18% margin, have a favorable opinion. Republicans, by a 64% to 16% margin, have an unfavorable view. Those not affiliated with either major party are evenly divided.
People who think we should withdraw troops from Iraq now have a positive opinion of Sheehan (59% favorable, 12% unfavorable). Those who do not think we should withdraw troops at this time have a negative view (15% favorable, 64% unfavorable). Among those with family members who have served in the military, Sheehan is viewed favorably by 31% and unfavorably by 48%.

[ 08/19/2005 09:47 AM ]

Class Reunion

Buzz reader Patrick writes in with some insights on David Luban, who co-authored the Slate piece yesterday attacking the record of John Roberts:

I was at Maryland Law while Luban was a professor there (although I never took a course from him) &, as I recall, he isn't even a law school graduate, much less a lawyer. While this certainly doesn't disqualify him from teaching the rest of us "ethics", I can't shake the thought that he has never had to personally put any of his drivel to a professional, non-rehearsal test. He and Ms. Rhode also co-authored a textbook on legal ethics, which was (and presumably, still is) widely used in law schools.... as has Mr. Gillers. All these current academics weighing in on this subject is just so much fluff.

[ 08/19/2005 09:37 AM ]

Rhode Scholar

Buzz reader Chip writes in with some thoughts on Deborah Rhode. As I reported yesterday, Rhode was cited in a Washington Post article as a legal and ethical expert to comment on what she perceived as a potential conflict of interest surrounding Supreme Court nominee John Roberts:


As a regular reader of your blog, you can guess that I tilt center-right in my politics. But I took both corporate taxation and income taxation courses under Debra Rhode while at Stanford Law (JD ’85). From my limited experience, I considered and still consider her a fair-minded, reasonable, knowledgeable legal scholar. My fellow students and I realized even then that she and her husband, Steve, were involved in Democratic Party politics and guessed their politics as center-left. But her politics never seemed to enter into her teaching.


Now, I have no idea whether she’s wearing her legal scholar mortarboard or her Democratic activist straw boater when opining on the ethical issues affecting John Roberts’ handling the terrorism case, to which the Bush administration is a party, as a judge on the second highest court, while simultaneously pursuing his nomination, by the Bush administration, to the highest court. But her dual roles as commentator at worst imply that she may suffer from a somewhat similar conflict-of-interest. Still I’d give her comments the benefit of the doubt.

[ 08/19/2005 09:33 AM ]

PA GOP Files FEC Complaint Over Scranton Times Advertising Campaign

The Republican State Committee of Pennsylvania has filed an official complaint with the FEC over the Scranton-Times advertisement campaign that allegedly promotes the candidacy of Bob Casey Jr. The letter is signed by Chairman Eileen Melvin and addressed to the FEC’s Lawrence Norton. Here’s an excerpt from the complaint:

“Because the advertisements advocate Bob Casey, Jr.’s candidacy, they are required to carry certain FEC disclaimers identifying who paid for the advertisement, and stating whether the advertisements were approved by a federal candidate. ... Upon information and belief, none of the advertisements appear to contain the FEC disclaimers. Accordingly, there is reason to believe that the advertisements violate 2 U.S.C. § 441d and 11C.F.R. § 110.11 by failing to include the required FEC disclaimers."


"Finally, there is reason to believe that the Scranton Times-Tribune’s advertising campaign constitutes an illegal corporate contribution to the Casey Campaign. According to publicly available information, the Times publisher has donated large sums of money to the Bob Casey’s campaign committees and the campaign committees of his family members over the years. In fact, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Lynett family’s “political contributions have been largely limited to the Casey family, the Pennsylvania Democratic Party ($15,000) and the past Democratic opponents of [Senator] Santorum’s.” ... These facts warrant an investigation by the Commission to determine whether the Scranton Times-Tribune, or its publisher, coordinated the content, timing, or placement of these advertisements with either Bob Casey, Jr. or the Casey Campaign. If the Commission finds that the Casey Campaign was materially involved in the advertising campaign, or that there were substantial discussions between the Casey Campaign or its agents and the Scranton-Times concerning the advertising campaign, the Commission should find that the costs of creating, producing and distributing the advertisements constitute illegal corporate contributions from the Scranton Times-Tribune to the Casey Campaign in violation of 2 U.S.C. § 441b and 11 C.F.R. § 114.2. The Commission should require the Casey Campaign to use its FEC permissible funds to pay for the cost of the advertising campaign and impose the maximum penalty under law."

[ 08/18/2005 04:28 PM ]

More Developments In Scranton Times Story

Another important development in the Scranton Times scandal involving Rick Santorum and Bob Casey Jr. Yesterday I reported how the Scranton Times manipulated editions of its own paper for an advertising campaign that prominently featured 2006 Senate candidate Bob Casey Jr. The publishers of the Scranton Times have donated over $100,000 to Bob Casey and his brother Pat.

Now, I have uncovered another development in the story. Scranton Times Managing Editor Larry Beaupre has acknowledged he personally doctored the false newspaper front page used in the paper’s advertising campaign. As the Philadelphia Inquirer reported last week, “Beaupre said he came up with the front-page prototype, which pulled together stories published on different days.” As it turns out, Beaupre is no stranger to controversy.

Larry Beaupre is the former editor of the Cincinnati Enquirer. While serving as editor in 1998, Beaupre oversaw an investigation into the corporate practices of Chiquita. The Enquirer ran several investigative pieces accusing Chiquita of secretly controlling banana companies in Latin America, engaging in pesticide practices that threatened workers’ health, being involved in bribery schemes in Columbia and using Chiquita company-owned ships to smuggle cocaine.

As it turned out, none of these allegations featured in their 18 pages of investigative reporting were accurate. The Cincinnati Enquirer was forced to pay Chiquita $10 million in damages and ran corrections and apologies on its front page for three days, in addition to an online apology. Washington Post reporter Howard Kurtz reported on July 13, 1998, “In an internal memo, on staffer said the normal editing process, including the copy desk, was bypassed: ‘Many of us who toil in this newsroom knew this series stunk from Day 1. ... But in his zeal to win a coveted Pulitzer Prize, [Editor] Larry Beaupre bypassed all of those checks and rushed the Chiquita series to print.’”

As new information surfaces in the Scranton Times controversy, it is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore the likelihood that direct partisanship and manipulation of the facts directed the paper’s advertising campaign.

[ 08/18/2005 03:03 PM ]

Still Following the Money and the Bias

After the Washington Post published Jim VandeHei’s article on John Roberts alleged conflict of interest, Stephen Gillers wrote an op-ed for Slate on the same subject. Slate is a sister publication of the Washington Post, but that was not disclosed in VandeHei’s article.

In the Slate op-ed, Gillers teams up with David J. Luban, and Steven Lubet to argue that not only was Roberts entangled in a conflict of interest, but that the terrorism case should be reversed as a result:

Did administration officials or Roberts ask whether it was proper to conduct interviews for a possible Supreme Court nomination while the judge was adjudicating the government's much-disputed claims of expansive presidential powers? Did they ask whether it was appropriate to do so without informing opposing counsel?


If they had asked, they would have discovered that the interviews violated federal law on the disqualification of judges. Federal law deems public trust in the courts so critical that it requires judges to step aside if their "impartiality might reasonably be questioned," even if the judge is completely impartial as a matter of fact. …

I’ve already told you about Stephen Gillers’ political bias. But Steven Lubet and David Luban don’t fare much better.

Lubet is a registered Democrat in the state of Illinois. In the October 27, 2003 edition of Legal Times, Lubet describes himself as a liberal. He made a similar self-reference in the April 21, 2003 edition of the Chicago Sun-Times. According to the Center for Responsive Politics, Lubet has donated $3,000 to Democrats, including John Kerry, Wesley Clark, the DSCC and the DNC. Lubet has not donated money to Republicans. He has also been a public critic of the Bush administration in publications including the New York Post, Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune and the Baltimore Sun.

David Luban is a registered Democrat in the state of Maryland. In a July 10, 2005 press release from New York Senator Chuck Schumer, Luban signs a letter along with Gillers and Lubet arguing that Senators should be able to ask Supreme Court nominees about their political views. Luban donated $500 to John Kerry’s presidential campaign in 2004 and $200 to the DCCC in 2003.

[ 08/18/2005 12:04 PM ]

Follow the Money to the Source

In yesterday’s Washington Post, staff writer Jim VandeHei reported that Supreme Court nominee John Roberts was interviewing for his prospective nomination while simultaneously presiding over a terrorism case of “significant importance” to President Bush. As VandeHei wrote, “Nobody is alleging that Roberts sided with the administration to curry favor with Bush, but some academics say Roberts should have, at the very least, considered stepping aside to make sure there was not an appearance of conflict.”

VandeHei interviewed New York University School of Law’s Stephen Gillers for his piece, who argues Roberts should have removed himself from the terrorism case once he entered into Supreme Court discussions with the White House. VandeHei also interviewed Monroe Freedman a “specialist in legal ethics” at Hofstra University and Stanford Law School’s Deborah Rhode. All but Freedman argued Roberts walked a fine ethical line in his decision to try the case while simultaneously being considered for the court.

However, there are significant details concerning these so-called ethical experts that the Washington Post did not reveal to readers.

Stephen Gillers is a registered Democrat. The New Yorker described him as a “liberal law professor” in their March 28th issue of this year. The Los Angeles Times also described Gillers as a “liberal Democrat” in the November 22nd, 2000 edition of their paper.

According to the Center for Responsive Politics, Gillers donated $1,250 to New York liberal Mark Green in 1998. He also previously donated $250 to Pennsylvania Democrat Lynn Hardy Yeakel in 1992. That same year, he gave an additional $200 to New York House member Ted Weiss.

In 2004, Monroe Freedman donated $2,000 to John Kerry’s presidential campaign. And in 1997 he gave $500 to Mark Green. Both contributions can also be accessed on the Center for Responsive Politics website.

Like Gillers, Deborah Rhode is a registered Democrat in the state of California. In 1998, The Recorder cited Rhode as a Democrat adviser helping liberals prepare for electoral fallout from former President Clinton’s impeachment. In 2001, Rhode argued in the National Law Journal that it would be a mistake for President Bush to appoint a Supreme Court justice who would favor overturning Roe v. Wade. Finally, in 1990, Rhode donated $1,000 to Washington DC Democrat Eleanor Holmes Norton.

[ 08/18/2005 11:38 AM ]

Feingold Calls for Iraq Withdrawal

Wisconsin Senator Russ Feingold is calling for all American troops to be withdrawn from Iraq by the end of 2006. Feingold said, “I think what we're doing now is feeding the insurgency. The situation is becoming more and more untenable because of a lack of a clear plan to finish the task and leave."

Feingold admitted there hasn’t been much support for his proposal, but he thinks that will change once Congress is back in session, “I think there's a groundswell of dissatisfaction with what's happening in Iraq. I'd be very surprised if people didn't come back (from recess) with much more of a sense of urgency.”

[ 08/18/2005 11:03 AM ]

Rice Cites Progress in Middle East

The New York Times reports Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is pointing to Israel’s Gaza pullout as a significant step towards peaceful relations between Israel and a Palestinian state. But more than that, it’s indicative of a larger trend unfolding in the Middle East. Rice cited Iraqi and Afghan elections and scheduled balloting in Egypt:

"This is a very remarkable time. You've also had the withdrawal of the Syrians from Lebanon and the elections in Lebanon. We've got reform efforts that we are tracking in Jordan. And of course women have the right to vote for the first time in Kuwait. Something very dramatic is changing in the Middle East. And it is changing in the direction of - and I only say in the direction of - more open, more pluralistic, contested political environment."

[ 08/18/2005 10:46 AM ]

Rudy Leads NJ '08 Poll

On the Republican side, Strategic Vision found Rudy Giuliani with a clear lead and 40 percent support. John McCain placed a distant second with 24 percent. No other candidate passed the 10 percent maker, but George Pataki and Bill Frist tied for third place with 6 percent each. 9 percent remain undecided.

[ 08/18/2005 09:32 AM ]

Jersey Dems Love Hillary

Strategic Vision also asked poll respondents whom they favored as their presidential nominee in 2008.

On the Democratic side, Hillary Clinton leads the field by a large margin with 42 percent. Al Gore and John Kerry met in a statistical tie for second place with 10 percent each. 10 other Democrats registered in the poll, but none over 6 percent. 14 percent remain undecided.

[ 08/18/2005 09:28 AM ]

Corzine Leads Forrester 50-40

A new Strategic Vision poll has Senator Jon Corzine leading Republican Doug Forrester 50 to 40 percent in the race to become New Jersey’s next governor. Strategic Vision’s David Johnson said, “Corzine leads in this race because of New Jersey’s natural Democratic leanings. Forrester has been hurt by the negative stories that have been appearing in the media. This race may be decided by which candidate voters object to the least. Both candidate’s images are taking a beating among the public and are becoming more unfavorable as the race progresses.”

To that end, poll respondents gave Corzine a 42 percent approval rating, with 39 percent disapproving. Forrester has a 40 percent approval rating, with 36 percent disapproving.

[ 08/18/2005 09:24 AM ]

Raising Kaine

I have a new article today over on the main site that breaks down Virginia Lt. Governor Tim Kaine’s efforts to cast himself as a political moderate. Kain is flaunting a personally pro-life, pro-gun, fiscally conservative philosophy. The only problem is he doesn’t appear to be any of these things.

[ 08/18/2005 09:16 AM ]

Scenes From a Protest

I just returned from the so-called vigil for Cindy Sheehen held outside the White House grounds. The event was organized by MoveOn.org and featured several hundred protesters in attendance. The crowd was split between those observing a more traditional vigil and those who wanted to conduct another angry protest of all things Bush.

One middle-aged man in wearing a t-shirt that read “Bush*t!” started the anti-Bush chants. After about 30 seconds of solo shouting the man was joined by most of the crowd in proclaiming, “Meet with Cindy! What are you afraid of, that you’re going to have to tell the truth?”

Most of the protesters continued the chant of, “Meet with Cindy,” while the chant leader segued into “This war was for oil!”

[ 08/17/2005 08:49 PM ]

Sheehan "Vigil" Tonight

I’ll be back later this evening with a report from the MoveOn organized “vigil” in support of Cindy Sheehan at the White House tonight. The event is scheduled to start at 7:30pm and I’ll have my report as soon as I get back. See you then.

[ 08/17/2005 06:21 PM ]

A Revolutionary Run

The Bull Moose blog has an interesting post on Newt Gingrich today. The Moose thinks Gingrich may use a possible 2008 White House run to strike back at some of his old GOP enemies:

The Moose predicts that the Newt will become the scourge of the Delayicans. Now that Casino Jack Abramoff has performed his first perp walk, the reality of the corruption of the Republican establishment may begin entering the public consciousness. Indeed, the fall may bring a couple of significant indictments as the Federal taskforce on the Indian gaming scandal takes action and the Plame affair comes to a head. Enter the former Speaker of the House of Representatives. …


There has been no love lost over the years between DeLay and Gingrich. The Bugman was one of the architects of the Newt's demise. As they say, revenge is a dish best served cold and Newt might get his licks in by exposing a venal GOP establishment even if he doesn't get the nomination in '08.

[ 08/17/2005 04:10 PM ]

NRSC Sends Letter to Stations Carrying Scranton Ad

NRSC General Counsel William McGinley has sent a letter to stations carrying the Scranton Times advertisement that reads in part:

It has come to our attention that your station failed to include information about the Scranton-Times-Tribune advertisement that advocates Bob Casey Jr.’s election to federal office in your station’s political file. The requested information is necessary to determine whether any federal election law violations occurred, and the extent of any violations, as a result of this advertisement airing on your station. As reported recently in the Philadelphia Inquirer, these advertisements appear to fall outside the media exemption under federal election law, expressly advocate the election of Bob Casey Jr. to federal office and, therefore, may constitute illegal corporate contributions to the Casey campaign.


The National Republican Senatorial Committee hereby requests that your station include the Scranton Times-Tribune advertisement information in your station’s political file and make it available for public inspection immediately. If your station continues to deny access to the required information about this advertisement we will be forced to bring your refusal to the attention of the Federal Communications Commission.

[ 08/17/2005 03:44 PM ]

Scranton Times Uses Schiavo In Ad Campaign

The Lynett family’s connection to Bob Casey Jr. is only part of the story. The Scranton Times advertisement, which is featured on billboards, buses, print and TV commercials, also carried a sidebar headline, which reads, “Sparks Fly Outside Schiavo Hospice,”

The March 5th edition of the paper carried neither the Casey nor Schiavo headlines. In fact, the actual Casey headline read, “Casey In, Hafer Out,” a reference to former State Treasurer Barbara Hafer. Governor Ed Rendell and other prominent Democrats pressured Hafer into withdrawing from her potential Senate race the same Casey announced he was getting in. Political analysts think Casey, with his pro-life political stance, represents a more formidable challenger to Rick Santorum.

Representatives from the Scranton Times say they created the Casey headline to reflect the paper’s local focus on news coverage. But in fact, they pulled an actual local news headline from the March 5th edition in favor of the fake Schiavo headline.

Bob Casey Jr. was quoted in interviews during the Schiavo controversy as saying he would have voted as Santorum did for an examination of Schiavo’s health that would have resulted in prolonging her life. But he also said that would not stop him from criticizing Santorum on the issue.

So, are the publishers of the Scranton Times using their corporation and the Terri Schiavo tragedy as an outlet to promote Bob Casey Jr. Senate campaign? The evidence is compelling.

[ 08/17/2005 02:44 PM ]

Maybe I've Seen "They Live" Too Many Times, But...

Is the Scranton Times using a new advertising campaign as a clever disguise to attack Rick Santorum and promote the candidacy of Pennsylvania State Treasurer Bob Casey Jr.?

A new advertisement by the Scranton Times promoting the merging of two editions of its paper features a dummy version of the paper with the headline, “Casey to run for Senate.” The newspaper has admitted to creating a false edition of their paper for the campaign. However, what many do not know is that the publishers of the Scranton Times are large financial donors to the Casey family.

The publisher’s family has donated more than $120,000 to Casey and his brother Pat. Publisher George Lynett’s family has donated at least $85,000 to Casey’s state campaigns. Lynette’s sister, Cecelia Haggerty and her husband gave $4,200 to Casey’s Senate campaign in March. And Casey’s brother Pat received more than $40,000 in contributions during his two unsuccessfully runs for a Scranton-area congressional seat. The entire family’s political contributions have been largely limited to the Casey family, but also include $15,000 given to the Democratic Party and past Democratic opponents of Rick Santorum.

According to campaign finance laws, the Scranton Times advertising campaign may count as an illegal corporate contribution.

[ 08/17/2005 02:41 PM ]

Pretty Colors

I’ve made an adjustment to the color-coding system. White House 2008 candidates are back to plain text. But I’ve added an icon to each 2008-related post. Blue for stories on Democrats, Red for Republicans and White for field stories that include candidates from both parties.

[ 08/17/2005 01:51 PM ]

A Politician Admits They Might Be Wrong? Now We Know Frist Has Lost It

During a speech yesterday at the Cleveland Rotary Club, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist called for vigilance in the war on terror. Frist said “radical Islam” is the “fastest growing religion … it jeopardizes our freedom here … Any withdrawal will be a radical expansion of terror. We have to take the battle to the terrorists or they will bring it here.”

Before the end of his speech, Frist also addressed the stem cell question:

He said embryos should be “given moral significance.” Embryos should not be created for experimentation or destroyed, he said. However, he said about five embryos are made for one life to be created. He said this leaves about 400,000 embryos that are “surplus.” Embryos that are going to be thrown away should be used for research, he said. He said using discarded embryos is similar to using the heart of a deceased person for a transplant. Sen. Frist said he recognizes that stem cell research is a tough issue. “I ask for understanding. I don’t know if I’m right,” he said.

[ 08/17/2005 01:10 PM ]

She's Not One to be Trifled With

The New York Observer has a lengthy profile of Jeanine Pirro today. It focuses more on her career as a District Attorney and less on her new political campaign against Hillary Clinton:

Half crusading cop, half crusading mom, Ms. Pirro reflects a reality of the law profession for certain kinds of women who came into the law when she did, at the height of the feminist movement, when its gains were still unsure. In Westchester County, where she got her start and whence she is launching her bid to oust Senator Hillary Clinton from her seat in the U.S. Senate, women weren’t even allowed to prosecute murder cases when Ms. Pirro began practicing.

And now that experience of breaking ground for women in the legal field could benefit Pirro as she seeks Clinton’s U.S. Senate seat:

She’s representing those women and that political reality as she faces down Ms. Clinton. And that certain tabloid glamour is both what makes her candidacy sizzle and what makes it problematic. The catfight metaphors are everywhere. The prospects of a well-matched (if not equally matched) girlfight are hard to resist. Hillary’s stand-by-your-man versus Jeanine’s knowing guffaw; Whitewater versus Al Pirro; the ascription of sexual coldness to Mrs. Clinton against the purported sexiness of Ms. Pirro.

[ 08/17/2005 11:49 AM ]

If She Really Cared

Buzz reader Steve writes in on Elizabeth Edwards, who yesterday sent out a fundraising to supporters that focused on anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan:

What Ms. Sheehan says, at the end of the day, is not relevant. It may be to her, and I think most have been rightly deferential to a grieving mother, but her protest is not moving policy one way or another. What this speaks volumes of, in my opinion, is the “caring” nature of those who stand idly by watching this poor woman become more unraveled with each passing sound byte. Elizabeth Edwards included. And, I would say, doubly so, given that she has also had a time in her life subject to this very specific, sad vulnerability. If Ms. Edwards really cared, she would offer commiserations and real help from someone who has shared a similar life experience rather than trying to revive the salad years of “Two Americas.”

[ 08/17/2005 11:32 AM ]

Leading by Example

Americans for Rice co-Chair Crystal Dueker writes in to The Buzz this morning on the new poll showing Condoleezza Rice leading the prospective 2008 Republican field in Iowa:

30% of the support in the Quad City poll, over and above all other contenders is an amazing story. Here is a woman who is admired, with a 60% job approval rating, discussing foreign policy in Iraq and Afghanistan, bringing stability and statecraft into the diplomatic world. While she is totally focused on doing her job, this woman has managed to be seen among the people of Iowa as a qualified leader and a contender for 2008. While over 20 politicians have been testing the waters in Iowa, it appears as if the people support a person doing their job instead of flying around in self-promotion.

[ 08/17/2005 10:11 AM ]

Edwards Finds Poverty is Good for Business

The Seattle Times follows John Edwards as he travels across Washington State discussing poverty and raising money for his PAC.

[ 08/17/2005 10:08 AM ]

Fry Guy

Iowa Senator Tom Harkin has selected John Edwards to headline his annual steak fry event at Iowa’s Warren County Fairgrounds on September 18th.

[ 08/17/2005 09:57 AM ]

The Glass is Half Full. But Full of What?

The Associated Press asks, “Doesn't everybody stop by Iowa on their way to Asia?”

Well, perhaps not. But that’s what George Pataki will be doing when he stops by Iowa to keynote the Cedar Rapids area Chamber of Commerce annual meeting on September 13th before heading to China and Japan to boost trade for New York businesses.

The Chamber of Commerce website advertises Pataki as “Currently the longest-serving governor in the United States, Pataki is New York's first conservative Republican chief executive." The biography also cites Pataki’s tax cuts and reductions in the number of people on welfare during his tenure. The bio makes no reference to his support for abortion rights, gay rights or gun control. A Ceder Rapids Chamber spokesperson said Pataki aides provided the bio.

[ 08/17/2005 09:52 AM ]

Maybe McCain Shouldn't Skip Iowa

Without Condoleezza Rice in the Iowa poll, John McCain and Rudy Giuliani tie with 21.7 percent each. Newt Gingrich places third with 13.8 percent. Again, no candidate registers above 10 percent, but Bill Frist places fourth with 8 percent. 28.3 percent remain undecided in this version of the poll.

[ 08/17/2005 09:36 AM ]

Rice Leads New Iowa Poll

The Quad City Times reports a new Victory Enterprises poll of Iowa voters shows Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice as the favorite amongst Republican voters to be their presidential nominee in 2008.

Rice led the field with 30 percent of the vote. John McCain was second with 16, followed by Rudy Giuliani at 15 percent. No other candidate topped 10 percent in the poll, but Newt Gingrich was fourth with 7 percent. 20 percent remain undecided.

[ 08/17/2005 09:32 AM ]

Join the Team

New Buzz reader Bruce writes in today:

I heard about the Buzz for the 1st time today and read it. Good stuff. Why liberals don’t understand they can take the high road and still debate their point of view escapes me, but you manage to show the conservative colors and retain your integrity intact. Consider yourself bookmarked by this (admittedly conservative) Democrat in Alabama.

P.S. The blog is almost as good as my favorite Ben & Jerry’s flavor. Not quite, but ALMOST.

Well, it’s not my style to post emails praising my efforts. But as I mentioned this morning, a growing Buzz readership is imperative to the continued success and quality of this blog.

On a daily basis I receive invaluable tips, insights, and yes, corrections, from you the reader. The quality of product delivered to you will improve with each new reader that enters our ranks. I promise to do my part. I humbly ask that if you enjoy what you are reading here, please tell a friend, colleague or family member about The Buzz. Your continued support is greatly appreciated and essential.

[ 08/16/2005 03:53 PM ]

Wrong On So Many Levels

In a letter to One America Committee PAC supporters, Elizabeth Edwards writes on Cindy Sheehan:

The President says he knows enough, doesn't need to hear from Casey's mother, doesn't need to assure her that Casey's is not one small death in a long and seemingly never-ending drip of deaths, that there is a plan here that will bring our sons and daughters home. He doesn't need to hear from her, he says. He claims he understands how some people feel about the deaths in Iraq. The President is wrong. …


The President's cavalier dismissal of Cindy Sheehan is emblematic of a greater problem. … And when the worst does happen, when the world comes crashing down and she puts the boy she bore, the boy she taught, the boy she loved in the ground, what does that government say to her? It says we'll do the talking; we don't need to hear from you.

Anyone following this story knows just how wrong Elizabeth Edwards is. Since the war on terror first began, some liberals have accused the Bush administration of using this war for political gain. Now, we see those same critics are manipulating Cindy Sheehan’s personal grief for their political gain in a way that meets or surpasses their worst accusations against the president. Needless to say, Elizabeth Edwards makes no mention of the fact her husband voted to authorize military action in Iraq.

[ 08/16/2005 03:25 PM ]

Can Cox Provide the Necessary Con Fusion?

I just spoke with Ed Cox’s communications director, Tom Basile. Basile tells The Buzz that Cox is the right candidate to take on Hillary Clinton in next year’s New York Senate race:

“You have to provide voters with someone who is credible; almost someone who can restore faith in the party. Give them someone just like Hillary Clinton and she’ll walk away with this race in a heartbeat.”

Basile said there is room for an openly conservative candidate to win statewide elective office in New York:

“When George Pataki first ran for governor, sure, he was pro-choice. But he also ran as a tax-cutter, a true fiscal conservative. He provided a strong alternative to the bloated administration of Cuomo. In order to take down Goliath, your slingshot needs to have a rock, not a sponge.”

Basile says political pundits outside of New York who think it takes a liberal Republican to challenge Clinton don’t understand the true nature of New York politics:

“When we first put up our 1-800 number for Ed Cox, the first 15 calls we received were complaints about gun control. If you don’t provide any incentive to upstate voters, you can’t expect them to turn out and vote for a Republican candidate. A lot of political observers on the national level don’t get New York politics. It’s complicated.”

Finally, Basile says the New York State Conservative Party carries more influence than some of its critics believe:

“No statewide candidate has won office as a Republican in the last 30 years without the support of the Conservative Party. It’s become the third largest political party in New York. There used to be a Liberal Party, and that’s gone now. You need to have a fusion ticket, where the GOP and Conservative nominee is the same person.”

[ 08/16/2005 03:05 PM ]

That Sinking Feeling

Rasmussen Reports also finds more negative numbers regarding the war on terror. Just 38 percent believe the U.S. and its allies are winning the war on terror. 36 percent believe the terrorists are winning:

Those figures are by far the most pessimistic ever recorded by Rasmussen Reports. The previous low came in June when 42% thought the allies were winning and 32% thought the terrorists had the edge. During Election 2004, roughly half of all voters believed the U.S. and its allies were winning.

[ 08/16/2005 03:01 PM ]

New Bush Poll Numbers

Rasmussen Reports has new poll numbers on President Bush. Rasmussen finds President Bush sitting uncomfortably at 45 percent approval and 54 percent disapproval. Those numbers represent his lowest approval rating score since late January.

[ 08/16/2005 02:58 PM ]

Allen Calls for Patience On Iraq

The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports George Allen discussed Iraq while conducting his “listening tour” of Virginia this week:

He reminded the audience of the American experience in developing a constitution and building a nation: "It took us a long time to get things right." Allen said the Iraqi constitution would succeed if it guaranteed freedoms of religion and expression, private ownership of property and the rule of law. "If they have these pillars, that's something people can rally behind," Allen said. "I don't see terrorists motivating anyone to their point of view."

[ 08/16/2005 12:50 PM ]

Hillraiser

Friends of Hillary take on Hillary Clinton’s possible GOP Senate opponents in an email to supporters:

It's August and things are heating up! There are now four people vying for the Republican nomination to run against Hillary for the United States Senate. The latest is Westchester County District Attorney Jeanine Pirro, who launched her campaign last week. …


It seems as if the race for the Republican nomination is little more than a contest to see who can best attack Senator Clinton. Pirro wasted no time in joining the mudslinging, accusing Senator Clinton of not working for New Yorkers, and starting her campaign with a string of insults …


According to news reports, Pirro's candidacy may be the result of urging from White House officials and national Republican Party operatives who have made Hillary their number one target in 2006.

[ 08/16/2005 12:00 PM ]

Clothes Call

Page Six reports that “sexy Westchester DA” Jeanine Pirro makes regular visits to Victoria’s Secret and “drops around $600 on matching silky bra and underwear sets.”

The store’s manager tells Page Six Pirro is a “perfect customer” except that she once tried to return a product without a receipt. The manager said, “She wanted us to break the rules. She’s one scary woman.” Page Six also says Pirro is a well-known patron of Ruby’s Oyster Bar, where one waiter said, "She was in here two weeks ago throwing back margaritas.”

We bring you this hard-hitting news at The Buzz because we want you to be able to make the best, most informed decisions about your elected officials. I’m also making the assumption that no one wants to know where Hillary Clinton, Ed Cox, or John Spencer pursues their more intimate shopping. I sure don’t.

And yes, I was going to post a picture, but in the interests of continued employment with NRO, decided against it.

[ 08/16/2005 11:18 AM ]

Virginia is for Bloggers

Looking for even more coverage of Virginia’s gubernatorial contest? Check out the Commonwealth Conservative blog. It features a quality news round up and analysis of all things political (and some sports) in Virginia.

[ 08/16/2005 11:02 AM ]

Family Feud

The New York Post runs an op-ed by Charles Millard on the New York Senate GOP primary battle between Jeanine Pirro, Edward Cox and John Spencer. Millard says a rough primary is just what the GOP needs:

Some fear that a primary will be damaging, with the Republicans beating each other up when they should be fighting with Clinton. In fact, a primary is just what the candidates — and the party — need.


A primary gives the candidates a chance to hone their skills and test their ideas against one another — and the winner will need strength in both to defeat Hillary. She has been battle-tested in ways the Republicans can't yet imagine.


Anyone who wants to oust the sitting senator will need sharp, campaign-defining issues. Old scandal allegations or other personal attacks about the past won't do it.


And nobody is going to beat Hillary Clinton by saying, "I'm pro-choice, pro-gun control and pro-gay rights, too — but I won't be running for president from the Senate."

[ 08/16/2005 10:45 AM ]

Please Help This Blog Grow

Yesterday was the six-month anniversary for this blog. If you’ve enjoyed my writing and reporting so far, I have a favor to ask: Please help support The Buzz and NRO by telling at least one friend or colleague about it.

I’m sure many of you are National Review subscribers. But for those who aren’t, NRO obviously offers a landslide of free, quality product to its readers each day. But I need more readers to keep this blog alive. Readership over the first six-months has been strong, but we need to show the “suits” that The Buzz is an essential part of NRO’s lineup.

Again, please tell your friends and colleagues about The Buzz and have them check it out. Maybe pass along the link to people you know via email. I’m doing my best to improve my reporting, writing and presentation for you the reader. Your continued readership and support are what I ask in return. Anything you can do that end is, as always, most appreciated.

[ 08/16/2005 10:25 AM ]

One Week to Make History

During a press conference yesterday, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice addressed the one-week delay in delivering Iraq’s new constitution:

Iraqis from across the political spectrum – Sunni, Shia, Kurds and others – are making substantial progress on their constitution, including on many of the most difficult issues before them. They have achieved a lot and they have generated considerable momentum toward the completion of their constitution. Iraq's leaders have asked for and received from their freely elected national assembly seven more days to finalize their work. This request was in full accordance with the Transitional Administrative Law, which provides the framework for this process.

[ 08/16/2005 09:49 AM ]

Poor Choice

Tim Kaine also likes to present himself as being “personally pro-life.” There’s one major problem here though. The same group that produced the discredited NARAL ads attacking Supreme Court nominee John Roberts has produced all of Kaine’s advertisements.

According to the Virginia Public Access Project, Kaine’s campaign has paid Struble Eichenbaum Communications at least $124,103 through June, 2005 to produce all of Kaine’s advertisements.

Jerry Kilgore spokesman Tucker Martin tells The Buzz:

"Tim Kaine’s pro-life rhetoric clearly doesn’t match his pro-abortion relationships and his pro-abortion record. No true pro-life candidate would ever hire a media firm like this one to disseminate their message. If you want to know where someone stands, just look at who they stand with Kaine is pulling the John Kerry makeover this year in Virginia, only problem is his rhetoric keeps tripping over his record."

[ 08/16/2005 09:34 AM ]

Long Shot

Virginia Lt. Governor Tim Kaine is running to replace his boss, Mark Warner. Warner was able to successfully cast himself as a moderate Democrat politician with the ability to connect with voters in a mostly conservative state. Now Kaine is trying to coast on Warner’s coattails, presenting himself as a moderate, “pro-gun” and “personally pro-life” Democrat.

However, the NRA has endorsed Jerry Kilgore over Kaine. Kaine also reportedly received an “F” rating from the NRA during its last ratings cycle.

[ 08/16/2005 09:20 AM ]

I Just Met a Girl Named Blue Jean

Buzz reader IQVPart writes in on the New York Conservative Party’s apparent rejection of Jeanine Pirro as GOP favorite to take on Hillary Clinton:

I've lived in New York City since 1992. Can you tell me a time when the NYS Conservative Party was relevant? If they don't like Pirro, they should have done something to prepare for Pataki's departure. They've done squat.

[ 08/16/2005 08:57 AM ]

Court Ordered Appearance

A Buzz reader writes in with the following on Newt Gingrich:

I happened to attend the Republican National Lawyers Association gathering in Chicago over the past weekend. A guest speaker was Randy Evans, Newt's former (and Dennis Hastert's current) lawyer.


Randy hinted during his speech that Newt would run for President, saying something along the lines of "you'll be hearing a lot from Newt soon." I also heard Mr. Evans state that Newt is definitely running in 2008. (Mr. Evans happens to have a loud voice; I wasn't trying to eavesdrop, but I did hear him say that in a conversation with another seminar attendee.)


(name withheld)

[ 08/16/2005 08:47 AM ]

He Does Not Dream of Jeanine

I just spoke on the phone with New York Conservative Party Chair Mike Long. I asked long about Jeanine Pirro’s liberal stances and her chances of winning an endorsement from the Conservative Party:

“I was saying this two months ago when John Spencer and Ed Cox were talking about running for the Senate and Pirro’s name came up as a possible candidate for statewide office. No matter what office she runs for, she will have an uphill battle. With Cox and Spencer you have two candidates who are more in line with conservative principles, not that they have to sign on to everything.”

But what if Pirro is the GOP nominee to face Hillary Clinton? Can she win the Conservative Party’s endorsement?

“I have not closed the door. It’s not a one-man show here. But if the other candidates stay in the race, I don’t see how she overcomes either of them. That remains to be seen. I think it’s healthy to have more than one candidate competing for the nomination. It gives voters a chance to see who best represents their values and beliefs.”

Pirro supporters say she represents the best chance for a Republican candidate to be competitive against Clinton. Does a Republican candidate need to espouse moderate to liberal social beliefs to win office in New York?

“George Bush won 40 percent of the New York vote in last year’s election. You’d have to check the facts on this, but I believe that’s more conservative support than George Pataki got in any of his elections for governor. Jeanine Pirro brags about being blue. But there are plenty of voters in this state who want to hear a clear, conservative voice. It’s more than a popularity contest.”

[ 08/15/2005 03:35 PM ]

Left Behind

The New York Post reports that state conservatives are upset over Jeanine Pirro’s early campaign errors and that her, “gaffe- marred announcement and her emphasis on liberal social positions has led to new unrest in some quarters of the state GOP.”

During her announcement, Pirro emphasized her “blue” social positions and said if elected she would join the so-called “Gang of 14” Senators who oppose an end to judicial filibusters. Could the state GOP and Conservative Party be seeking a different alternative to oppose Hillary Clinton?

[ 08/15/2005 03:21 PM ]

Draft ... Christopher Walken?

Who doesn’t love Christopher Walken? But would you support him for president? Well, someone is. They’ve started a draft Christopher Walken for 2008 website.

Could he go from presidential candidate assassin to candidate himself?

[ 08/15/2005 02:28 PM ]

Clark Attends WWII Ceremony

Wesley Clark attended a ceremony marking the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II in New York this weekend. “Scores” of World War II veterans were in attendance. Clark told the audience, “Wars can be lost at the top, but they are won at the bottom, and these men and women are the ones who won it for us.”

[ 08/15/2005 01:44 PM ]

Justice League

House Majority Leader Tom DeLay was the keynote speaker at yesterday’s Justice Sunday II event. On the role of the judiciary, DeLay said:

The Constitution is in place to shield us from the very tendencies of arbitrary unaccountability displayed by too many courts, too often in recent years. That's what we're here for - to protect the Constitution, so it can keep protecting us.


Justice Sunday, then isn't a protest against anything; it's a rally in support of a Constitutional judiciary that respects and adheres to the co-equal role it was given by our Founders. That role is to interpret and apply the law - not to rewrite them.

[ 08/15/2005 12:14 PM ]

If You Only Read One Story Today - Read This

Holly Bailey and Evan Thomas have a must-read in the new issue of Newsweek today. It’s a reality-based take on how President Bush deals with the families of soldiers killed in Iraq that provides a stark antidote to the claims made by Cindy Sheehan and liberal activist groups like MoveOn. Newsweek opens the piece with President Bush meeting with families at Fort Bragg:

President Bush was wearing "a huge smile," but his eyes were red and he looked drained by the time he got to the last widow, Crystal Owen, a third-grade schoolteacher who had lost her husband in Iraq. "Tell me about Mike," he said immediately. "I don't want my husband's death to be in vain," she told him. The president apologized repeatedly for her husband's death. When Owen began to cry, Bush grabbed her hands. "Don't worry, don't worry," he said, though his choking voice suggested that he had worries of his own. The president and the widow hugged. "It felt like he could have been my dad," Owen recalled to NEWSWEEK. "It was like we were old friends. It almost makes me sad. In a way, I wish he weren't the president, just so I could talk to him all the time."

President Bush is often accused by his critics of avoiding face time with the families of soldiers killed in action. However, Newsweek reports:

Bush routinely asks to see the families of the fallen when he visits military bases, which he does about 10 times a year. It does not appear that the White House or the military makes any effort to screen out dissenters or embittered families, though some families decline the invitation to meet with Bush. Most families encourage the president to stay the course in Iraq.

This is only a small sampling from the piece. More than any other story I’ve seen today, I highly recommend reading this one from beginning to end.

[ 08/15/2005 12:02 PM ]

Scoring Points

The Washington Post’s Mike Allen and Brian Faler report Newt Gingrich gave a PowerPoint presentation last week on creating a “21st Century governing majority” to an “enthusiastic group of Republican staffers” on Capitol Hill.

[ 08/15/2005 11:47 AM ]

Time Bomb

Bob Novak devotes his column today to Bill Frist. Novak says Republican insiders feel Frist has improved overall in his tenure as Senate Majority Leader, but still has a “deaf ear” when it comes to political timing. The cited insiders point to his stem-cell break as a prime example. In their view, it’s not the break that caused so much pain as the timing. Nearly every other GOP leader was preparing to highlight the unusually productive congressional session before Frist used the last day before recess to make his stem cell announcement. Novak concludes:

Self-limited to two Senate terms, Frist leaves at the end of 2006 whether or not he launches a full-fledged presidential campaign beginning in 2007. But in his remaining time, he may face multiple Supreme Court nominations, Social Security revision and tax reform. He is sincere and increasingly effective, but colleagues hope his ear will become more acute.

[ 08/15/2005 11:38 AM ]

Those Who Know Him, Like Him

The Associated Press looks at President Bush’s approval numbers and finds that in this point he is less popular than Ronald Reagan or Bill Clinton were early into their second terms.

However, the AP also notes Bush’s base support remains strong. Their message in short: Bush has support where it counts, but it’s good for him politically that he’s not running for re-election.

[ 08/15/2005 10:59 AM ]

Power Moves

The Boston Globe examines Democrat attempts to focus their stance on military and foreign affairs. The emerging consensus among national Democrat figures is to embrace a greater role for the U.S. military that includes involvement in humanitarian missions and combating terror. However, it remains to be seen whether voters will embrace a message so clearly based on political calculations as opposed to convictions:

“The emerging message among Democrats reflects a recognition that winning congressional and presidential elections in the post-Sept. 11 era requires candidates to establish a willingness to use America's military might and keep the nation safe, according to party leaders and strategists.”

[ 08/15/2005 10:46 AM ]

First Things First

Ron Brownstein of the Los Angeles Times asks if terrorists in Iraq would be less enthusiastic about attacking Americans if President Bush announced the U.S. would not establish permanent military bases there. Brownstein cites center-left war critic Larry Diamond heavily, who favors such an announcement.

Such an announcement would not quell terrorist attacks. At best, they would assume we are lying. At worst, they would take it as a sign of weakness. Those in Iraq who we need to be courting favor with are the law-abiding citizens who take pride in their country and want to steer it away from terrorism. And winning their trust will first require providing security. After that, decisions about future U.S. involvement in the country can be rationally addressed.

[ 08/15/2005 10:36 AM ]

Humble is not his Middle Name

Newt Gingrich was in Iowa over the weekend and said a premature withdrawal from Iraq would be more dangerous than staying the course:

More people will die if we leave than if we stay. I'm not criticizing the president, but he needs to come back at every occasion to remind people of how dangerous this is. And we need to drop this word, “insurgent.” We have an enemy.

On his possible campaign for the White House in 2008, Gingrich said it’s more about what people can learn from him than the other way around, "I am clearly doing the right things to try to shape political dialogue in America. Whether that leads to anything beyond being a teacher, we'll find out."

[ 08/15/2005 10:11 AM ]

Seeing Red

Joe Biden appeared on NBC’s “Meet the Press” yesterday. On the state of affairs in Iraq, Biden said, "My definition of success from the very beginning has been not a democracy. It will not happen in my lifetime."

Guest-host Andrea Mitchell asked Biden about running for president in 2008. Biden noted he has been traveling in red states to gauge potential support amongst moderate Democrats:

I've found some sporadic support. Where I've gone, I've been greeted with open arms. It does not mean that I would be the nominee, but it does mean I'm going to continue the quest to determine whether or not I can put together a campaign and raise the money and be a viable candidate for president. That's my intention … And I believe that if I state clearly my views on where this country should go, if I can convince enough Democrats to share that view, that I would have a shot at being the nominee.

[ 08/15/2005 10:02 AM ]

Dean As Referee? It's Like Jaws Protecting the Chum

Howard Dean was on CBS’s “Face the Nation” yesterday. The first topic of discussion was Iraq. Host Bob Schieffer prodded Dean to explain the Democrats’ plan for Iraq. Dean’s response:

Eighteen hundred and fifty Americans lose their lives because the president can't figure out what he's going to do, had no plan when we got there and has not plan when we get out. First thing we need to do have a plan for leaving.

Dean also said President Bush should meet with anti-war activist Cindy Shaheen:

Sure, he should. I mean, he asked her to give up her son. She did give up her son. There's been many American women and men who've lost their lives and we're trying to understand for what.

Finally, Dean was asked if it’s a “good thing” that Hillary Clinton is trying to infuse Clinton politics back into the Democratic Party:

I have sworn off talking about 2008 in any way. I happen to be a great admirer of Hillary Clinton, and I think she deserves an opportunity to prove herself, as all the other Democratic candidates do. But I do have to be a referee.

[ 08/15/2005 09:05 AM ]

McCain Breaks Out the Bush Pom Poms

John McCain stopped by Fox News Sunday yesterday. When asked how important it is for Iraqis to meet their constitutional draft deadline today, McCain answered:

I think it's very important. The president has emphasized that August 15th, October 15th, and December 15th as the three key dates. You know what happens in these things. If you decide you can't meet a deadline, many times you never meet the deadline.

On troops levels in Iraq, McCain said:

The president, I think, very appropriately made it very clear in the strongest terms that we are there until Iraqis are capable of carrying out their own security responsibilities. He could not have been more forceful or more clear, in my view. And I totally agree with him.

And when asked if as president he would meet with anti-war protestor Cindy Sheehan, McCain said:

I don't know if I would or not, because he did already meet with her once, as you know. And that, I think, probably was sufficient. But this thing has blossomed.


Look, I've been with the president of the United States when he has met with the families of those brave young men and women who have sacrificed. I have seen his compassion, I have seen his love, I have seen his concern. So any charge of insensitivity or uncaring on the part of this president, is absolutely false. He cares and he grieves.

[ 08/15/2005 08:47 AM ]

Good Business

The New York Times is stunned that Rupert Murdoch seems less-than-hostile towards Hillary Clinton these days.

The Times uses terms like “deeply conservative agenda” to describe Murdoch, Fox News and the New York Post. However, their examples fall embarrassingly short. After all, News Corp. President Peter Chernin gave $100,000 to John Kerry’s presidential campaign. And it was Murdoch who in many ways anointed Tony Blair before his first successful run as British Prime Minister. Murdoch himself told the Atlantic Monthly nearly two years ago his views are predominantly libertarian. More than being a genuine conservative, he simply likes to win. Still, the Times insists:

Over the long haul, the Murdoch-Clinton détente cannot last. In its phenomenal success, Fox News has used institutional enmity of the Clintons as one of its guiding principals. But in the meantime, the fight between Ms. Pirro and Mrs. Clinton will help ratings and circulation numbers, and the prospect of a Clinton presidential candidacy will agitate and engage the News Corporation's core audiences.

[ 08/15/2005 08:29 AM ]