April 16, 2007

4/16: Board Games

Was it Sen. Pete Domenici (R-NM) in Albuquerque with the phone call? Was it Dick Cheney in San Diego with obstruction of justice? Or was it Karl Rove in the WH with trumped up voter fraud charges? With all the players and motives involved one can hardly blame a person for having trouble remembering what "the real scandal" at the heart of the prosecutor purge story is. As we head into 4/17's Senate Judiciary hearings with AG Alberto Gonzales, will the lack of a coherent narative hinder Dem efforts to push the story forward? Or is keeping already admitted Bush Administration incompetence on the matter at the forefront of attention enough?

PROSECUTOR PURGE: The Missing Link

The Albuquerque Journal's 4/15 article revealing a Sen. Pete Domeneci (R-NM) call to Pres. Bush urging the firing of NM US Attorney David Iglesias is leading netroots attention on the scandal heading into AG Alberto Gonzales' 4/17 testimony before the Senate Judiciary Cmt. Talking Points Memo's Josh Marshall underscores the importance of the development:

No one disputes that Domenici's call to Iglesias was at best inappropriate. But there's been a lack of direct evidence that Iglesias's refusal to bow to political pressure led directly to his firing. Now we have that evidence. And it's not Kyle Sampson or even Alberto Gonzales whom Domenici went to to get sign off for Iglesias's ouster. It was right to the president. And the available evidence now points strongly to the conclusion that the final decision to fire David Iglesias came from the President of the United States.

TPM eagerly awaited WH reaction to the AJ story, and after WH spokesman Trey Bohn pointed to earlier Bush statements that he "never brought up a specific case nor gave him specific instructions," a TPM reader wrote in to respond: "You can drive a Halliburton convoy through that White House denial. ... So a call from the President to the Attorney General in which he says, "Pete Domenici called me this morning, says we gotta do something about that U.S. Attorney in New Mexico, Iglesias. Not doing his jobs, not bringing cases fast enough - can you look into that, see what needs to be done?" That would fit within the White House denial."

PROSECUTOR PURGE II: Not So Titanic Tuesday

The renewed focus on the WH's role has some wondering how relevant Gonzalez even is to the story. Matthew Yglesias links to Marty Lederman making the case that Gonzales was the "rubber-stamper" Gonzalez claims he is in his already released opening statement. Lederman argues the focus ought to be on the prime movers in the firings were Karl Rove and Harriet Miers.

More Lederman: "The biggest part of that scandal, by the way, is not the dismissals of the U.S. Attorneys ... It is, instead, the elaborate fiction of widespread "voter fraud," which has not only been the predicate for the enactment of numerous disenfranchising voter ID laws, and the pretext for stopping much-needed voter-registration reforms, but has also resulted in in terrorem prosecutions by the Department of Justice on trivial or trumped-up charges."

Conservatives also expect little light to come from 4/17's hearings. Power Line's Paul Mirengoff writes: "If President Bush still likes Gonzales and has confidence in him, then the Attorney General probably can keep his job as long as he doesn't lay an egg. ... the fact that the "scandal" has so many supposed facets may conspire in the end against the Dems. The scandals that tend to bring people down tend to be about one or two fairly straightforward things. If the Dems successfully can portray this affair as an attempt to derail Abramoff-related investigations or to use the Justice Department to aid Republican politicians in New Mexico, then it will resonate. But it looks like the Dems have no evidence that Gonzales was trying to accomplish these goals. Thus, the Dems probably will have to use a scatter-gun approach."

PROSECUTOR PURGE III: Benign Incompetence

Ex-DOJ lawyer Daniel Metcalfe's interview with Legal Times about his decision to leave justice is being widely cited in netroots circles. TPM'a David Kurtz highlights:

• Ever since the Watergate era, ... the Justice Department maintained a healthy distance between it and what could be called the raw political concerns that are properly within the White House's domain. ... But that strong tradition of independence over the previous 30 years was shattered in 2005 with the arrival of the White House counsel as a second-term AG.
• All sworn assurances to the contrary notwithstanding, it was as if the White House and Justice Department now were artificially tied at the hip -- through their public affairs, legislative affairs and legal policy offices, for example, as well as where you ordinarily would expect such a connection (i.e., Justice's Office of Legal Counsel).
• In my experience over 11 presidential administrations, from Nixon I to what can be called Bush III, there is an unmistakable drop-off in overall appointment quality during a second presidential term -- and this definitely is more so during a Republican administration.

Kurtz comments: "Metcalfe's perspective is worth considering. It is, in some respects, a more benign explanation for some of what we have seen than I might favor." Daily Kos' mcjoan links and adds: "these excerpts on the extreme politicization of the department by poorly qualified Bush sycophants underline precisely why Alberto Gonzales should never have been confirmed Attorney General. And why he should be removed from that office now."

DEM FIELD: The Competence Dodge

Following MyDD's Matt Stoller's "despair" that Barack Obama's foreign policy vision includes a continuing American troop presence in Iraq, Matthew Yglesias argues it is "both understandable and correct that people who are hoping to be president in 2009 want to leave themselves some wiggle room" on the issue. Yglesias goes on to explain why the idea of retaining some U.S. forces in the region comes down to its proper execution: "The issue, to me, is that flexibility is a double-edged sword. In the hands of a good president, it's a good thing. In the hands of a bad president, it's a bad thing. This is why one needs a good president."

Stoller responds: "There are two issues here. One is entirely political and has to do with the meaning of various words as used by our candidates. To me, when a candidate says that he or she will end the war, it means cessation of hostilities. ... If they want to argue that leaving troops in Iraq is a good thing, fine, but be forthright about it. ... The second issue is whether a full withdrawal makes sense on policy grounds. ... The question is whether keeping troops in Iraq, for whatever purpose, is a good idea. ... This is especially true if you think, as Samantha Power does, that American forces should remain to manage the voluntary ethnic cleansing of millions of Iraqis so genocide doesn't happen."

Talk Left's Big Tent Democrat tracks the debate but argues the more pressing concern is getting the troops out before 1/09: "President Bush is not talking about residual forces - he is sending in MORE troops. We need to stop this Debacle. Right now, Reid-Feingold is the only viable proposal, and no it does not have to become law to end the Debacle. So my main questions now for all pols, activists, etc. is, and will remain for the time being, "do you support Reid-Feingold? If not, why not?"

CLINTON: Making The Case

Mystery Pollster's Mark Blumenthal reviews Chris Bowers claims that national polls are inflating Hillary Clinton's numbers concluding that the evidence is "sketchy and contradictory." Bowers responds: "one aspect of my argument cannot be doubted. By sampling between 40-50% of all registered voters, the vast majority of national Democratic primary polls are not specifically sampling the Democratic primary electorate. As such, these polls should not only be taken with a grain of salt, but should almost be dismissed entirely as useful indicators of the current state of play in the Democratic primary / caucus season."

Also at MyDD, Clinton aide Mike Henry "makes the case for Hillary Clinton" on BlogTalkRadio

OBAMA: Another Reach Around

Barack Obama aide Samantha Power is taking netroots criticism for her preview of Obama's foreign policy vision in which she said: "We're going to hear something very unusual on the left, which is a genuine pride in what America can be again." MyDD's Matt Stoller responds: "Power is owned by the reflexive notion that the left has no pride in America, which makes sense considering that she came from the world of journalism rather than advocacy. Journalists like to think of themselves as liberals who are above politics, a current especially strong in the foreign policy set."

Daily Kos' mcjoan adds: "Excuse me, Ms. Power, but the genuine pride the American left--including every single Democratic presidential candidate--feels for this country and for what we want for it in the future is not "very unusual." It's the driving force for any progressive in trying to take our country back.

In other Obama doubting, MyDD's Mark Adams wonders how real Obama's outsider talk is after reading a Washington Post story detailing Obama's efforts to connect with "wealthy clients of lobbying firms." Adams writes: "This isn't the first time I've come across a story that tells us that Obama is doing a reach around to abide by his stated policy to refuse any more of the PAC or lobbyist money he collected for his senate runs, yet finding a way to access the donations of the wealthy, and give them access too. ... But something of this stinks. I'm reminded of a chief executive who signs a piece of legislation with great fanfair, but once behind closed doors, files a signing statement full of enough loopholes to make the new law meaningless."

OBAMA II: Walkin' On Sunshine

Andrew Sullivan continues his deepening love affair with Obama, highlighting a Chuck Toddarticle on how the Don Imus affair demonstrates how Hillary Clinton is "embracing" identity politics while Obama is running away from it. Sullivan adds: "One more way in which Clinton really does represent the past and Obama the future."

In other positive Obama-blogging, a MyDD commenter makes the case "Why it's a good thing Obama is not the presumptive Netroots candidate." Also Calitics documents a strong Obama presence at the Day of Climate Action in Huntington Beach 4/14: "As the rally was getting started at Pier Plaza, the Obama Grassroots team was setting up a table. And as soon as the march began, Team Obama stayed at the pier to register voters and answer any questions about Barack Obama, the grassroots campaign in Orange County, and what he plans to do about climate change should he be elected as our 44th President. Even though the gloomy clouds were beginning to roll in from the Pacific, it was all smiles for Team Obama!"

RICHARDSON: Died And Went To A Fundraiser

Burnt Orange Report's Todd Hill recounts a recent Bill Richardson fundraiser he attended that was forced into a storm shelter by tornado sirens: "So there I was following the host, practically leading by hand Gov. Bill Richardson to the storm shelter as he was standing next to me when the order came through. ... Considering there was no more then 25 at this event, I felt comfortable knowing if I were to die from a tornado at this point how cool it was that I'm with a Democratic presidential candidate, surrounded by an abundance of liquor, and all the food I could ever want. The downside was it was also a room full of Republicans, so indeed a precious balance of dying happy and dying with political enemies."

GOP FIELD: Boos For Gilmore

First hand reports from IA GOP's annual Lincoln Day Dinner are coming in. Race 4 '08s Kavon Nikrad breaks down the performances of the big three (declared candidates) including:

• Rudy [Giuliani] opened the evening with a subdued but philosophical and substantive speech which outlined that the Republican Party needs to reach out to voters by emphazing what we are for: staying on offense on the GWOT, maintaining a growth economy, and finding market solutions to our nation's problems - not what we are against.
• Mitt [Romney] followed Rudy and somewhat tarnished what was an absolutely spectacular speech by pulling a stunt where the first thing he did upon reaching the podium was to invite his wife and son from their dinner table to the stage for a personal introduction to the audience.
• John McCain delivered an emotional and passionate account of the cost of defeat in Iraq, and deserves special commendation for being the only candidate of the 9 in attendance that clearly defended and allied himself with President Bush.

IA's Krusty Konservative also gave McCain high marks but focussed more on smaller candidates including:

• I know that many of you think I'm a [Mike] Huckabee homer, but I thought Huckabee used Saturday's event to make a very favorable impression on Iowa caucus goers. ... Huckabee is a rock solid social konservative, he also is probably the best speaker in the field outside of Mitt Romney.
• Governor Jim Gilmore used his allotted time to rail against the top three and Fred Thompson. ... I'm sure Gilmore knew it would get a reaction, but I bet he didn't think it would generate gasps and scattered boos.

BROWNBACK: No Federalism Dodging Here

Townhall's Matt Lewis says "the most contentious political battle" within the GOP primary is actually between Sam Brownback and Mitt Romney: "So why do these two camps dislike each other? It's a simple turf battle; Brownback's campaign believes Romney is a poseur on conservative issues -- and worse -- is getting Catholic support that should rightly belong to Brownback. But money talks and while Mitt Romney is an excellent fundraiser, Sam Brownback is a pathetic one."

Lewis closes by wondering if Romney will be hurt by declining to weigh in on a SC proposal to require ultrasound viewings before an abortion. Lewis comments: "Romney is arguing that it is a state's rights issue, while, you can be sure the Brownback folks don't see it that way."

GIULIANI: Let The Courts Decide

Rudy Giuliani appeared on Hugh Hewitt's radio show 4/13. Highlights including:

• HH: Now President Bush won the Catholic vote ... Can you keep that majority, given your abortion rights positions?
• RG: Well, I hope that people look at the overall record. ... There are going to be issues you agree on, issues you don't agree on, and then you as the voter have to make the decision what's most important to me right now. What are the big issues? ... And right now, if we predict a year and a half ahead, it looks like the biggest problems we're going to be facing are the terrorist war against us, which irrespective of Iraq, is going to continue, whatever happens in Iraq.
• HH: Would you like to see Roe V. Wade reversed, Mayor?
• RG: I would [hesitates, not indicating agreement] ... what I'd like to see are abortions reduced, and adoptions increased. And I reduced abortions declined about 15, 16% while I was Mayor, I think more than the national average. But most importantly, adoptions went up over 60%.
• HH: But would it be a good day or a bad day for America if Roe V. Wade was reversed by the Roberts' Court?
• RG: Oh, I think that's something the Court has to decide.

MCCAIN: No More Free Media Riding

Libertarian leaning bloggers continue to kick John McCain while his fundraising numbers are down. NY Sun's Ryan Sager writes: "What's worst for Mr. McCain is that a slump like this is likely to feed on itself. Very bad first-quarter fundraising figures + extremely bad polling numbers do not = a successful second-quarter fundraising showing. And with no money and all the free media going against you ... well, you'd better hope those town halls really do the trick."

Hit and Run's David Weigel takes the opportunity to hit campaign finance reform again: "Seriously, McCain's last act in politics is providing a good argument against public financing. If the candidates' purses were being filled up with public or matching funds, Romney, Giuliani and Thompson wouldn't be able to build the advantage they're building over McCain, and come April 2008 or so the party would be stuck with him.

ROMNEY: Are His Grassroots Green?

Bush '04 eCampaign Director Michael Turk voiced some serious doubts about Mitt Romney's "online fundraising" claims at techPresident including: "Romney, with a number of total donors that is on par with or less than the "online donors" of the three Democrats raised more than all of them online? I doubt it. More likely, the campaign is driving their large donors and event attendees to give via credit card on the website in order to pad the online number." Outside the Beltway's James Joyner buys the argument, but fellow techPresident poster Alan Rosenblatt argues Turk is being a little uptight:

With all the attention being paid to how much money the candidates are raising online, I think we need to better understand what "online fundraising" means. Does it just include funds that are solicited and fulfilled online, or does it also include any funds submitted through the candidates' online contribution forms, regardless of how solicited? Or what if people mail in a check based on an email solicitation? You see, this is not such a simple question.

Turk later seconds Rosenblatt's call for better coverage on the topic: "I've been rethinking the operational definition of "online fundraising". While there has definitely been a specific connotation for that term - essentially equating it to "grassroots" fundraising, it appears that many now feel the definition is out-dated." Turk then outlines what reporters should be asking candidates about their fundraising numbers: "specifically, they should ask a) how many itemized donors does the campaign have, b) how many unitemized donors, c) of your total receipts, how much is attributable to itemized contributions, d) how much is attributable to unitemized donors? ... To his credit, Romney was forthcoming with the total of itemized/unitemized donors, but did not indicate the amounts they raised respectively."

ROMNEY II: The PalMITTo State

SC's Daily Chaser offers an explanation for Romney's recent four-for-fiveperformance in GOP county straw polls:

• 1. Romney is climbing within the GOP base and he is picking up support in past McCain strongholds including Charleston & Horry.
• 2. McCain is dropping within the GOP base.
• 3. The GOP base isn't as wild about Giuliani as public polls show the ordinary voters are.
• 4. Although the news wants everyone to believe that the GOP base is unsatisfied with its slate of candidates, these straw polls show otherwise. Only 11% voted for Gingrich or Fred Thompson.

THOMPSON: Not Slowing Down

Fred Thompson increased his lead in Pajama's Media online straw poll from 37% of the field 4/8 to 55% 4/15.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY: It's Like Al Sharpton's Good For Ratings Or Something

Atrios identifies a pattern on MSM coverage of Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson related incidents:

• 1) Bigot eruption somewhere
• 2) Lots of people condemn it
• 3) Al Sharpton goes on every teevee program
• 4) The media people turn around and use Sharpton's past as a distraction/excuse for the current bigot eruption

Atrios adds: "If Al Sharpton is an imperfect spokesperson for an issue, and you keep putting him on the teevee to be the spokesperson for that issue, then the obvious conclusion is that this is a deliberate strategy."

LEST WE FORGET: Still Could Have Used Him In Sacramento

WaPo's Dan Steinberg isn't impressed with GW freshman's Monty Singh Harika efforts to garner publicity by declaring for the NBA draft:

Harika says he's friends with a bunch of Colonials; that he plays in pick-up games with them in the student rec center, and also with other students; that he does fairly well in these games; that he is concentrating on basketball to the exclusion of his schoolwork ... He can't technically dunk a ball--he has bad knees from when he used to weigh so much--but he can grab the rim, which ought to come in handy at the next level. I asked if he might be able to compare himself to any NBA stars.

Steinberg followed up with GW assistant Greg Collucci "I feel like if there was a guy who could play in the NBA walking around GW and working out in the Health and Wellness Center, hopefully we'd know," Collucci said.

Posted by Conn Carroll at April 16, 2007 12:45 PM