First thoughts

Posted: Monday, April 30, 2007 9:23 AM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: First Thoughts

From Chuck Todd and Mark Murray
*** Time to Exhale: In the couple of days after the Democratic presidential debate and before the GOP one, politics slows down a bit. And we’re not complaining. The things to watch for later this week: 1) Bush’s veto of the Iraq supplemental; 2) Thursday’s Republican debate, moderated by MSNBC’s Chris Matthews; and 3) Fred Thompson’s speech on Friday to Orange County Republicans. Also, Tenet's book debut appears to be putting the White House on the defensive; its morning clip email included responses to Tenet’s charges.

*** Identity Crisis: In advance of Thursday’s debate, we can’t help but notice that the Republican Party seems to be in the midst of an identity crisis. Just what is a conservative nowadays? Whose politics defines the GOP -- Reagan’s, Goldwater’s, Schwarzenegger’s, or Cheney’s? Here’s what David Brooks wrote yesterday: “Instead of offering something new, each of [party’s presidential candidates] has been going around pretending to be the second coming of George Allen — a bland, orthodox candidate who will not challenge any of the party’s customs or prejudices… The big question is, Why are the Republicans so immobile?”

*** Drip, Drip? The Newsweek report that Obama’s scheduler used his Senate fax machine to send him his political call list while in South Carolina -- a no-no -- is the latest dent in his good-government armor. Have the recent investigative/oppo stories on him (Rezko, whether lobbyists have donated to his campaign, and now this) begun to build the narrative that he’s a politician like everyone else? Or are they all peccadilloes that voters won’t care about? One thing is for certain: Since they’ve both become candidates, Obama is receiving much more scrutiny than Clinton is. Will that change? By the way, Newsweek does have a good preview of the policy initiatives Obama is on the verge of unveiling.

*** What Happens in Vegas…: Nevada is a popular destination today. Edwards holds a town hall meeting in Las Vegas, while Richardson addresses address AFL-CIO leaders in Carson City. Also, Elizabeth Edwards opens her husband's New Hampshire headquarters on Monday and spends the day campaigning in the state on his behalf. And Obama is in Dallas for a private event.

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Comments

So what was the white house response to tenet's book?

TEC-Spring TX. (Sent Monday, April 30, 2007 9:52 AM)

Judging from the 60 minutes report last night, he tried to tell everyone from CLinton to Bush about Al Quida, but no one listened. I think both sides dropped the ball and with the demcrats in power, i can understand why they are making Political hay out of this. We can turn the tables as well. Suppose Gore had won the election and the towers were attacked. When the stories came out that both Clinton and Gore were both told and nobody did anything about it, Gore would have been a one termer.If it came to be known that Iraq had WMD and attacked saudi arabia and Kuwait with WMD, would Gore have had the big one's to do anything about? I doubt it. But it is all in theory anyway. We went to war based on the intelligence we had. If anybody has the stones to come forward and prove Bush was wrong they had better hurry up and prove it, because his term is almost over and all people will debate after that is the history books. Rosie O'doughnut and Michael Moore and several others have tried with all their wild and crazy theories, but have all been shot down as having an agenda, especially Moore. So speak up someone, If you have 100% proof Bush should be impeached, bring it out. Just remember, Bush was down and out in 2004 and still he won re-election, thanks to moveon.org and a few other wacko left wing nutjobs. Will they be the one's that keeps the GOP in the White House in 2008?

jerry/corpus christi texas (Sent Monday, April 30, 2007 10:41 AM)

Time is on the side of truth and Waxman is hot on the trail, bush cant hide behind lies forever.

mikeeg,abdn,wa (Sent Monday, April 30, 2007 10:54 AM)

jerry/corpus christi texas, the framers of the Constitution debated the impeachment process thoroughly and we are left with a broad description of what is an impeachable offense - "treason, bribery or other high crimes and misdemeanors". Noteworthy are Madison's comments during the debate: "Mr. Madison thought it indispensable that some provision should be made for defending the Community against. the incapacity, negligence or perfidy of the chief Magistrate. The imitation of the period of his service, was not a sufficient security. He might lose his capacity after his appointment. He might pervert his administration into a scheme of peculation or oppression. He might betrav his trust to foreign powers. The case of the Executive Magistracy was very distinguishable, from that of the Legislature or of any other public body, holding offices of limited duration. It could not be presumed that all or even a majority of the members of an Assembly would either lose their capacity for discharging, or be bribed to betray, their trust. Besides the restraints of their personal integrity & honor, the difficulty of acting in concert for purposes of corruption was a security to the public. And if one or a few members only should be seduced, the soundness of the remaining members, would maintain the integrity and fidelity of the body. In the case of the Executive Magistracy which was to be administered by a single man, loss of capacity or corruption was more within the compass of probable events, and either of them might be fatal to the Republic."

Jim, Santa Cruz (Sent Monday, April 30, 2007 11:38 AM)

Time to stop smoking those blunts Jerry. Bush and your party are imploding all on their own. Stop placing the blame elsewhere.

Susan ,Miami (Sent Monday, April 30, 2007 11:39 AM)

Even though it's troubling that the CIA got their assumptions wrong, Tennent has nothing to apologize for, that's the game of intelligence with huge bets and huge consequences and happens in every administration. What's more troubling to me is that assertion that top white house officials (read Pres, VP, and major cabinet members) put party and political gain before country. Read between the lines of what he said.

Kal, NJ (Sent Monday, April 30, 2007 11:39 AM)

jerry/corpus cristi, yeah, what if bush hadn't stolen the election and Gore was pres at 9-11? Maybe 9-11 would not have happened if Gore had paid attention to the daily briefing on bin Laden to attack the US unlike our current pres. Perhaps you have heard the addage "actions speak louder than words". The actions (and inactions) of this admin tell me a different story than the reality you live in.

Mark Y; Westlake Village, CA (Sent Monday, April 30, 2007 12:23 PM)

I am surprised that there is no live vote posted to get public reactions on Tenet's accusations and the [highly predictable] denials by Rice and Snow. I am especially interested in the public's reaction to Tenet's claim that there was no serious discussion within the administration as to whether to invade Iraq, only how to invade. I would also like to get the peoples response to whether they believe Tenet or BushCo on the question of Tenet's claim that his "slam dunk" comment was twisted to suit the purpose of BushCo's CYA agenda. I think Tenet is telling the truth about what really happened, and BushCo is lying as usual. Apparently I am the only one who is curious.

JIrby, Colorado (Sent Monday, April 30, 2007 12:29 PM)

Jim very well put in in the current situation is at least very detremental to public.

mikeeg,abdn,wa (Sent Monday, April 30, 2007 12:31 PM)

"Tonight we will speak about beauty, Tonight we will speak about truth Tonight we will speak of duty And the promises of youth Tonight I will be all I have promised Tonight you will breath through my skin This night every lie will be honest And our future will begin"-Ready For The War-Janis Ian

Still Crazy After All These Years (Sent Monday, April 30, 2007 12:31 PM)

After watching Tenet on 60 minutes, I don't think I'd believe him if he said my @ss was on fire. He seemed highly agitated and nearly hysterical. jerry - read what the Constitution says about warrantless searches, would you? Please?

Lee in MV (Sent Monday, April 30, 2007 12:35 PM)

So far, there is no reason to impeach the president. John Murtha is screaming for impeachment, but after being put in the back of the liberal bus by a woman(big bad marine getting whooped by a grandma)his words are not as strong as they used to be. Forget it libs, you guys just don't have it in you to go after him.

jerry/corpus christi texas (Sent Monday, April 30, 2007 12:36 PM)

Jerry - suppose this - just suppose Ms. Rice and President Bush had taken the July 2001 memo seriously stating that Bin Laden wanted to attack the US. And suppose the Republican congress had taken Clinton seriously when he make an effort to crack down on terrorism - instead they called it "wagging the dog". And suppose that we had a president that was intellectually curious and really did some serious thinking and research before attacking another country that had nothing to do with September 11. And suppose that the President listened to the generals when he did start the war with Iraq. It doesn't take "big ones" as you so elequently state to start a war - it should take very careful consideration and knowledge before you ask someone else's child to die in a pre-emptive war. Just suppose President Bush had not listened to the likes of Feith, Wolfowitz, Chenney and the other neo-cons who had never served themselves?????

Sunny, Tulsa, OK (Sent Monday, April 30, 2007 12:52 PM)

yeah jerry - all us "lib" vets are scared to death of the draft dodging cowards. Guess you're right - we just don't have the stomach for a fight with a bunch of bed wetter. I know a couple of marines that would like to talk to you.

Lee in MV (Sent Monday, April 30, 2007 12:53 PM)

Sunny, Tulsa, OK (Sent Monday, April 30, 2007 12:56 PM)

Jerry - Regarding impeachment, I personally don't want it. This administration has, I think, surpassed Nixon in the number of things that they have done that deserve impeachment. From warrantless wiretapping to sending our combat forces into action without body armor to firing US Attorneys who wouldn't indict opposition members of Congress. The reason I want Bush in office right up until January of 2009? Because he spotlights how completely inept at EVERYTHING the Republican Party has become. George W. Bush will be one of the best campaigners for the Democratic Party in 2008. He (and the AG) will be a major reason why the Democratic majorities in the House and the Senate will expand. And he will be one of the major reasons why the Democrats will take up residence in the White House. Please feel free to keep supporting your C+ Augustus Jerry. You're just contributing to our victory. Especially when you make comments like "John Murtha is screaming for impeachment, but after being put in the back of the liberal bus by a woman(big bad marine getting whooped by a grandma)his words are not as strong as they used to be." For the record, Pelosi wanted Murtha as Majority Leader but the Democratic caucus but in Hoyer. It was, at the time, trumpetted as a reason why she couldn't lead. But I've never known a neo-con to let reality get in the way of a good smear on a liberal...

John Doe, The Peanut Gallery (Sent Monday, April 30, 2007 1:03 PM)

We don't need to go after anyone Jerry. Bush is blowing up on his own. It must be difficult for you to get your brain around that one.

Susan, Miami (Sent Monday, April 30, 2007 1:51 PM)

Jerry fron Corpus Christi .. are all Texans ignorant or just you and Bush?

California Independent (Sent Monday, April 30, 2007 2:01 PM)

Keep Dubya and his cabal of criminals in office for the duration. The economy is starting to turn south, add that to the majority's war dissent, and it'll be the extra little kicker to put the neocons, kool aid drinkers, droolers, chickenhawks and war profiteers out of power for at least 20 years. Of course it'll probably take their replacements years to straighten out the disaster of the past 6 1/2 years.....12+ years if you want to include Newt's "Contract on America".

The Edge, Macon, GA (Sent Monday, April 30, 2007 2:25 PM)

All you guys with all these "if's, suppose". Well if a dog had a square a?& he would s?*& blocks. Look Bush won twice. Clinton won because of Ross Perot. Get over the stupid, ignorant she-i-t. Elections are all strategy, if you have the right mix, you will win. ALL politicians lie, promise things they cant deliver on, etc. Show me one that doesn't. Washington is run by a bunch of grandpa's and grandma's that still have the thinking of 1950's and 60s. This is 2007, we live in a different world, Vietnam era thinking belongs in the history books.

First Team, Ft Hood, TX (Sent Monday, April 30, 2007 2:29 PM)

Jerry, if you'll recall Clinton fired cruise missiles at the Al Quaeda training camps & warned that along with the Taliban they were a major destabilizing influence on the entire Middle East and worldwide terrorist threat. Republicans were more interested in Monica Lewinsky's stained dress. Explain that away.

John B, Des Moines, IA (Sent Monday, April 30, 2007 2:37 PM)

California Independent, don't diss the Texans because George Bush is from there. I have actually been surprised at the number of Texans on this blog who do not support Bush. Jerry is one of the exceptions. He probably thinks kicking someone's a** and taking names is the best way to resolve any situation. My thinking is he has probably had his own a** kicked (literally and/or figuratively) so many times by life, he may believe it's the only way ... well, we know what runs downhill.

Robert Catalano, Salem, OR (Sent Monday, April 30, 2007 3:27 PM)

Thank you, Robert, for your defense of lots and lots of Texans.

Scott in South Texas (Sent Monday, April 30, 2007 4:03 PM)

"I'd better quit my talkin "cause I told you all I know, But please remember, pardner, wherever you may go, The people are building a peaceful world, and when the job is done That'll be the biggest thing that man has ever done."_Biggest Thing Man Has Ever Done-Woody Guthrie

Still Crazy After All These Years (Sent Monday, April 30, 2007 5:31 PM)

Robert, like you, i'm also amazed by the number of Texan's that voice their opposition to this admistration's policy's.But like Texas, there's also a lot more Common Sense American's in this Great land of our's, who know the Sky isn't falling. We finally had enough of the Right wing's attempt to install a Theocratic form of Government upon us & bring an End to the world as we know it. This was their opportunity to have us all ( meet our maker) with their ( My GOD is better than your God CRAP). It may sound far-fetched, but it's my beleif, that was the INTENT.Terrorist without a gun, is my name for them. Their Hypocrisy knew NO bound's in that attempt.Thankfully, Delusional thinking by Common Sense American's is past. We see where God telling someone to go to WAR, got us.AMERICAN'S, don't be fooled by this attempt, EVER AGAIN.

rick,ky (Sent Monday, April 30, 2007 6:49 PM)

I saw some interesting news yesterday. A gasoline tanker truck apparently caught fire and collapsed a section of highway in the Oakland - San Fran area. What I can't figure out is that the fire from the gas truck melted the steel beams which caused the collapse. What about the tin-foil hat gang who says that Bush brought down the Twin Towers, because steel never melts or collapes? This doesn't fit with their conspiracy theory that Bush organized 9/11. Oh...I think I see the angle now. There never was a tanker truck on that Oakland - San Fran highway. It was actually the evil Bush administration that must have planted charges in the bridge to cause it to collapse...just like 9/11. Because all of us truthers like Rosie O'Donnell know that steel can't collapse, so 9/11 was an inside job. I love it. Nothing like seeing the tin-foil hat gangs theories come crashing back to reality.

Frank "Grimey" Grimes, Springfield, USA (Sent Monday, April 30, 2007 7:30 PM)

Well, "Grimey", you do have to admit that what's left of the bridge still looks like a bridge. It didn't completely disintegrate and turn to fragments that looked like ash. I'm not sure what a "tin foil hat gang" is. Don't think I'm a member. But I am a cynic. I believe very little of what either politcal group says.

Frances Larsen, Newcastle, WA (Sent Monday, April 30, 2007 9:59 PM)

Another thing to watch is who else is named in the D.C. Madaam's little black book, or should I say big black book? Maybe it will be as entertaining as the first Monicagate. When powerful "clients" are subpoened to "tell the truth," I'm sure all of them will swear they just got massages. This will clear her and prove that her sexual business was legal and not a prostitution ring. She's smart to have thought to release the phone records, to help enlist the names therein to testify on her behalf, because who's going to say they paid for "real" sex?

Jane, Southern Mississippi (Sent Tuesday, May 01, 2007 12:33 AM)

Frances...I'll agree with that, except that the bridge collapsed something like 20 feet. It didn't collapse starting over 1000 feet in the air. I refer to the people who believe in wild conspiracy theories as the "tin-foil hat gang". The name is so derived as they believe that by wearing tin-foil hats on their heads the government can't read their thoughts. I do agree with you that a healthy dose of cynicism is healthy as it pertains to both parties. However, I don't believe that Bush planted explosives in the New Orleans levies, or organized 9/11, or is hiding Elvis in a secret bunker.

Frank "Grimey" Grimes, Springfield, USA (Sent Tuesday, May 01, 2007 6:40 AM)

Hey, folks, how 'bout a novel idea? Next couple of elections, lets elect someone NOT beholden to big oil or defense interests! (Guess that rules out most Texicans) Seriously, lets think outside the box and try and elect someone who doesnt have to 'pay back' partisan interests. Yeah, I know, I'm a dreamer... but I'm not the only one. Anyone read 'American Theocracy' by Ken Phillips? Great historical view of Great Powers, a must read for all political stripes.

Brian Roanoke, VA (Sent Tuesday, May 01, 2007 1:28 PM)

Brian, before we were Texans we were Texians, and I believe there are more defense interests in your state than mine.

Scott in South Texas (Sent Tuesday, May 01, 2007 4:10 PM)

Jim, I appreciated your post concerning what the "Father of our Constitution" said about the need for the possibility of impeachment of the president. Our founding fathers were serious about setting up a government that could withstand someone as crazy as the King George they had fought against in the revolution. Now we have our own King George, and impeachment doesn't seem farfetched at all.

Jane, Southern Mississippi (Sent Tuesday, May 01, 2007 11:08 PM)

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