02.07.07
Kerry decides to sit out 2008 run: “I never wanted that stupid old Presidency anyway”
by Tom Toburn
In what may be characterized as a fit of pique, former war veteran John Kerry announced today that he will not be seeking the nomination for the presidency in 2008, and said “I never wanted that stupid old Presidency anyway.” His aides have been hinting for weeks that the Massachussets Senator and the 2004 nominee would be sitting out the race, “now that that really popular Obama guy got in,” but still felt comfortable that he could garner more support than presumptive contenders Joe Biden and Al Gore.
Former Senator John Edwards is also expected in the race, but aids say he is trying to ignore his former running mate, “unless he says he’s sorry,” and did not consider Senator Hillary Clinton a serious opponent “because she’s just a girl.”
Cheney and Libby planned Wilson in his underwear expose piece in US Magazine
by Paula Berrer
One of the unusual new disclosures in the trial of former Vice Presidential Chief of Staff “Scooter” Libby is the coordinated leak to celebrity-watch magazines like “Us Weekly,” of former ambassador Joseph Wilson nearly undressed on a Virginia Beach. “His ass looks fat,” Vice President Cheney purportedly told Libby, “and I want these photos released.”
The testimony came at the end of a full day cross-examination of the press staff for the Vice President’s office. Staffers were dispatched to the major publications with photos taken incidentally by Secret Service staff near Wilson while on vacation. Cheney had hoped that his veracity in disputing pre-war claims of an Iraq nuclear program would be questioned if people could see him in his underwear, and he insisted Libby and other staffers pursue the matter as a national security measure.
Tomorrow, Lynn Cheney will be called to the stand to address the efforts she and Libby made to have Wilson’s silly high school nick name revealed to the media.
02.06.07
Congresses passes resolution to not pass any more resolutions discussing support or objections to Bush Iraq policy
by Paula Berrer
In a vote along largely partisan lines, the Senate has passed a resolution that argues that binding and non-binding measures that relate to the Iraq war should no longer be argued. The measure, crafted by Joe Lieberman and himself, passed in a 50-48 vote, with 2 senators abstaining.
“I really didn’t understand the measure at all,” said Senator Norm Coleman (R-MN), “but Ted Kennedy said he was voting for it, so I voted against it.”
Senator John McCain solidified his maverick, outsider status by voting “I don’t know” on the measure.
Bush describes benchmarks for Iraqi progress: “We just want to see that they’re trying hard.”
by Paula Berrer
President Bush agreed to a series of benchmarks at the urging of democratic legislators, but is insisting that they be limited to “showing a good effort,” and “they have to show us that they’re trying hard.”
Though many in Congress intended for the President to set benchmarks that are directed to Iraqi progress toward self-sufficiency, the President said he is unlikely to do so, saying “it might indicate to warring factions that we do not have the stomach for the fight. There is no graver threat than if we do not achieve victory in Iraq.”
McCain is latest candidate to come out in favor of Obama’s attractiveness
by Terri Firma
Senator John McCain (R-AZ) is the most recent potential 2008 Presidential candidate to discuss candidly Senator Barrack Obama’s attractiveness. “He’s charismatic, he’s sexy, and frankly, I would want to have sex with him, if I were a different kind of man.” This follows a week when Senator Joseph Biden (D-DE) described Obama as “attractive and clean,” Senator Hillary Clinton described him as “strapping,” and even President Bush called him attractive while simultaneously doubting Obama’s credentials for the presidency.
McCain criticized another potential candidate, former Massachussets Governor Mitt Romney, for his straddling the line his more tepid praise of Obama. Romney said last week that he only admired Obama, but remains staunchly opposed to gay coupling or marriage. Romney’s campaign has promised to release a statement later today to clarify the Governor’s position.
