by Frank James
A quick guided tour of some of the morning's most important, most interesting, or both, Washington-related stories.
Speaking in Abu Dhabi, President Bush criticized Iran and asked Arab states in the Persian Gulf region to stand with the U.S. against the Persian nation's nuclear aspirations and its interference in the region while promising that the U.S. understood the desire of peoples in the Mideast for Justice.
Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama spent Sunday sparring over the comments made by the Clinton that seemed to many to dismiss the contributions of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., and disagreeing over Obama's anti-war credentials.
The Guantanamo prison should be closed, said Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Mike Mullen who opined that the treatment of terrorist detainees has harmed the U.S.'s image around the world.
New polls showed Sen. John McCain improving his position dramatically, becoming the most preferred candidate among Republicans while, depending on the poll, Clinton either maintained her lead over Obama or was in a virtual tie.
Evidence is increasing that consumers have cut back sharply on spending, raising concerns that consumers who have to date propped up the economy may no longer be able to do so.
The reversal in the official U.S. intelligence stance on Iran, with the conclusion Iran stopped efforts to build nuclear weapons, was a victory for career professionals in the Bush Administration after years in which the interpretation by hard-line political appointees close to Vice President Cheney usually won out.
Federal Reserve Board Chairman Ben Bernanke has decided to speak more openly and clearly about the outlook for interest rates after criticisms that the central bank's statements have been confusing.
The Army Corps of Engineers' plan to clear shrubs and trees on some private property in New Orleans in order to protect the post-Katrina city's vital system of rebuilt levees is being opposed by some homeowners who see it as a violation of their property rights.
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Comments
I'ld really like to see both parties deal with the real issues.
Posted by: bill r. | January 14, 2008 9:10 AM
There's a Freudian slip in the above article.
"As the race for the presidential nomination has moved into states with more diverse population, like South Carolina, the issues of race, poverty and education have moved to the fore."
As can be expected, when the DNC Swamp refers to "the race for the presidential nomination", they in fact refer only to the Democrat race, as the linked-to article makes clear.
To Swamp writers, the only race that counts is the Democrat race. Which is not surprising, since they're all Democrats.
Posted by: Bruce | January 14, 2008 9:19 AM
"...the comments made by the Clinton that seemed to many to dismiss the contributions of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr..."
No secret who Frank James is shilling for.
As Oprahma has reminded us, he's from Chicago where politics are rough. So when his tone turned nasty (even before his "i'm from Chicago" remark) i wasn't surprised in the least. However this represents a new low for Oprahma, and I have to confess that even I am surprised.
A huge part of BO's appeal is that he gives guilt-plagued White Liberals an opportunity to vote for a Black candidate who's not just a novelty act -- such as Al Sharpton or Jesse Jackson were.
But now that Oprahma has injected race (in a disingenuous, opportunistic tactic worthy of Sharpton) he's contradicting the image that appeals to white liberals. It's a dangerous ploy to pick up the Black support he has always lacked... It may well blow up in his face.
In any case this belies the silly sloganeering about Oprahma healing and bringing us together.
Posted by: MJ | January 14, 2008 9:55 AM
Bruce,
Since your "father" was a "journalism" teacher you may know the answer but I'll ask anyway. Is the truth or facts of the article more important than the authors politics? You seem to think the authors political leanings are more important than the truth or facts. Please clear this up, if not for me, for your "father", a "journalism" teacher.
Posted by: jethro | January 14, 2008 10:35 AM
"As the race for the presidential nomination has moved into states with more diverse population, like South Carolina, the issues of race, poverty and education have moved to the fore."
As can be expected, when the DNC Swamp refers to "the race for the presidential nomination", they in fact refer only to the Democrat race, as the linked-to article makes clear.
To Swamp writers, the only race that counts is the Democrat race. Which is not surprising, since they're all Democrats.
Posted by: Bruce | January 14, 2008 9:19 AM
Bruce is absolutely right. Everyone knows the Republicans would never make race, poverty or education key issues.
Their only issues are fear, war and tax cuts for the most wealthy.
Posted by: JT | January 14, 2008 2:41 PM
Frank,
You missed this on the leadership of the democratic party:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/13/us/politics/13blumenthal.html?ref=us
Posted by: Terry | January 14, 2008 8:16 PM