[Posted 03/18 05:15 PM]

Earlier this week, we reported that Gordon Smith was backpedaling on fiscally conservative principles by co-sponsoring legislation to reduce this year’s budget savings by half. Unfortunately, the Senate, setting up what should be a tumultuous battle with the House, passed it.

Last night, things got worse with Ron Wyden making a personal effort to prevent the preservation of Terri Schiavo’s life. Because the Supreme Court has agreed to hear the case concerning Oregon’s assisted suicide law, Wyden is afraid that legislation to protect Schiavo would damage Oregon’s case before the court. Of course, if one reads the language proposed in the House and Senate, it would be clear that no threat to Oregon’s law was included.

But Gordon Smith is missing from this debate as well. Smith personally advocated Justice Department intervention to block the assisted suicide law in 2000. John Ashcroft acted, but was blocked by a circuit court. While the Supreme Court has taken action Smith has been silent. The Beltway Buzz and numerous other media organizations have put in comment requests to Smith to no avail.

This is shameful on Smith’s part, both in respect to the Oregon voters who twice voted for the legislation (whether you agree with it or not), and to those who advocate the preservation of life. If Smith had been vocal in his support of the court’s move, he would have possessed moral authority to speak up in Schiavo’s case. Instead, this week has left Smith appearing fiscally irresponsible and morally tepid.

[Posted 03/18 04:12 PM]

During his visit to an Orlando YMCA Family Center today, President Bush spent most of his time discussing Social Securing reform. He was introduced by Barbara Bush and accompanied by Jeb Bush. Regarding those who simply want to add taxes/reduce benefits without personal accounts, the president said:

“I urge Congress not to think about 75-year fixes. The math is just not going to allow for a 75-year fix. It may sound like a 75-year fix at first. We need a permanent fix. We need to do it right now and make sure that nobody has to address the issue again.”

Many Democrats in Congress have discussed the government’s “promise” and “obligation” to pay Social Security benefits out of the trust fund. To this, the president responded:

“The government has promised benefits, but I've told you we can't pay what we've promised. But the personal account, because of the compounding rate of interest, will help you get closer to that which government has promised. It will make it a part of a good retirement system for people.”

[Posted 03/18 02:15 PM]

MSNBC is running the headline “Judge orders hospice to remove Schiavo’s feeding tube immediately.” As Kathryn has noted over at the Corner regarding CNN, MSNBC is doing a good job of showing humanizing video of Schiavo. From what I’ve been catching today, MSNBC’s coverage has been quite positive and sympathetic.

UPDATE: The MSNBC anchor notes they do not have confirmation yet that Schiavo's feeding tube has been removed.

[Posted 03/18 02:00 PM]

Today’s National Journal Insiders Poll asked 35 Democrats in Congress and 33 Republicans about their feelings on Social Security and President Bush’s handling of Iraq.

On Social Security, 18 respondents said it was “very likely” that personal accounts would play a “big part” of a Social Security plan approved by Congress. 17 said “Somewhat likely”, 11 said “somewhat unlikely” and 22 said “very unlikely.” 3 Democrats voted in for the likely half, while one Republican voted unlikely.

On Iraq, 8, respondents gave President Bush an “excellent” rating for his handling of Iraq since the fall of Saddam Hussein. 21 responded “good”, 13 “fair” and 25 “poor.” All 25 poor respondents came from Democrats, with only 1 voting good and none excellent. 4 Republicans voted fair, none poor.

[Posted 03/18 12:10 PM]

Progress For America put out a release announcing its plan to spend $3 million dollars this month on a new advertising campaign in support of President Bush’s Social Security reform.

However, the Washington Post’s Mike Allen notes nearly all of the targets on the House side are Republicans. Stuart Roy, a Progress for America consultant said:

"We want to make sure that constituents contact their Republican member and let them know that there are people supporting this so they're not just hearing from people from the MoveOn organization, who are simply tearing them down."

[Posted 03/18 11:32 AM]

A reader with experience in personal accounts writes in:

“Eric,

I work for a school district in Georgia that opted out of Social Security. 5% of my net pay every month, matched by the school district, goes to the State Teachers Retirement System. I will be able to retire on 60% of my final salary after 30 years of teaching.

The school district also contributes 2% of my salary every month to my IRA, which I own.

If I were under Social Security, I'd be contributing an additional 6.2% every month, also matched by the district, to Social Security. I would be eligible to draw a benefit of approximately 40% of my final salary once I reached age 67.

Not to mention that retirement benefits and Social Security benefits are taxable income.”

[Posted 03/18 10:59 AM]

Many news outlets are desperate to find contention over the nomination of Paul Wolfowitz to head the World Bank. But does the evidence add up?

A source close to the discussion tells me that Wolfowitz is actively gathering support and picking up steam.

And then there are the words of Democratic senators. Joe Biden described Wolfowitz as possessing an:

“active and fertile mind” who believes in the work of multilateral institutions.’ Asked for his reaction to the selection, Biden responded, "Solid."

Wolfowitz can also count on the support of Pat Leahy. Leahy said of Wolfowitz:

“I have known Paul Wolfowitz for many years, and while he and I have had strong differences I know him to be an extremely intelligent and creative thinker who has the potential to do a good job at the World Bank.” Leahy added, “The World Bank is in need of serious management and policy reforms. I look forward to working with him.”

[Posted 03/18 09:24 AM]

John Edwards “declined” to answer whether he promised to stay out of the 2008 campaign if John Kerry runs again. Joe Lieberman made such a promise to Al Gore after the 2000 campaign. Edwards:

“Personal, confidential conversations between Sen. Kerry and myself are going to stay personal and confidential.”

Edwards has already started a PAC and begun touring the country, fundraising and meeting with potential supporters. The New York Times reported this week Edwards had “privately” told Kerry he wouldn’t challenge if Kerry ran again in 2008.

[Posted 03/18 09:09 AM]

The White House announced that President Bush will welcome Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to Bush’s Crawford ranch on April 11. From the White House statement:

“The President looks forward to discussing with Prime Minister Sharon a wide range of key bilateral and regional issues, including the search for peace in the Middle East and the war on terrorism.”

[Posted 03/18 08:59 AM]

With most linked posts, I try to provide you a summary of events so you don’t have to read the entire piece yourself. However, the New York Times has a great, great piece on three Texas counties who opted out of the Social Security system in the early 1980’s in favor of personal retirement accounts. This is a must read.

Employees receive a higher rate of investment from their employers than under the Social Security system, can receive their investments in lump sum or installments upon retirement (no waiting till 65) and the vast majority are receiving much larger retirement and pension plans then what is comparable under Social Security.

Even the Times can’t knock the success story here. Their best evidence of someone who didn’t come out ahead under the plan was a low-income worker who only invested in the system for eight years before retiring early. Nonetheless, she still was able to take her investment in a lump sum to pay off bills while living on her spouse’s Social Security benefits.

[Posted 03/18 08:43 AM]

Now that William Myers is cleared for a floor vote in the Senate, the real action begins.

The Washington Post does some historical research on whether a filibuster has ever truly been used to block a judicial nominee. The WP spends ample time discussing the 1968 filibuster of Abe Fortas by Republicans and conservative Democrats as evidence. However, as the piece later notes, Fortas faced majority opposition to his nomination, unlike President Bush’s nominees, which even Democrats acknowledge would pass a floor vote.

[Posted 03/18 08:29 AM]

As the Washington Post notes, the Senate last night “dealt a slap” to President Bush and GOP leadership by removing spending cuts from this year’s budget. Proposed tax cuts were nearly doubled over earlier projections, to $134 billion. However, the numbers all but eliminate hopes for deficit reduction. The budget passed 51 to 49.

Meanwhile, the House passed a much more fiscally responsible budget that includes $69 billion in entitlement cost cutting, with as much as $20 billion coming from Medicaid.

The seven GOP Senators who voted to cut the savings from the budget are: Gordon Smith, Lincoln Chafee, Olympia Snowe, Susan Collins, Norm Coleman, Mike DeWine and Arlen Specter.

[Posted 03/18 08:10 AM]

This week, the Beltway Buzz has heard rumblings that John McCain’s team could be responsible for many of the negative information leaks surrounding Tom DeLay. I didn’t have enough info to feel comfortable moving forward, but the Wall Street Journal has the scoop (subscription required).

Now the DeLay and McCain camps are accusing each other of leaking information “to raise ethical questions.” A McCain ally “jokes” that House Speaker Hastert is “revamping the House ethics process by replacing it with Robert Blake’s jury.”

[Posted 03/18 07:57 AM]

Ron Brownstein of the Los Angeles Times has a piece chronicling John Kerry’s transition from failed presidential candidate to failed obstructionist. When it comes to the budget, Bush nominees or just about anything else, Kerry just says no. The RNC has this to say:

“It's disappointing that John Kerry would employ such overtly partisan and obstructionist rhetoric at a time when most Americans want to see Congress engaged in solving problems, not over-the-top attacks.”

[Posted 03/18 07:46 AM]

USA Today has a comprehensive update of where the Terri Schiavo case stands. Over at the Corner, they’ve been staying on top of this through last night and this morning. In terms of government action:

“A House committee was issuing congressional subpoenas ordering the doctors to halt, while an attorney for the parents of the woman, Terri Schiavo, said he would ask a federal judge in Tampa to block the removal and review the actions of state courts.”

[Posted 03/17 05:28 PM]

The White House has released a statement from President Bush on the case of Terri Schiavo. It lines up closely with what was said at the gaggle this morning:

“The case of Terri Schiavo raises complex issues. Yet in instances like this one, where there are serious questions and substantial doubts, our society, our laws, and our courts should have a presumption in favor of life. Those who live at the mercy of others deserve our special care and concern. It should be our goal as a nation to build a culture of life, where all Americans are valued, welcomed, and protected – and that culture of life must extend to individuals with disabilities.”

[Posted 03/17 02:49 PM]

Tonight, supporters of Tom DeLay will gather to fundraise for the Retain Our Majority Program (ROMP). The Hill reports DeLay “will receive an overwhelming outpouring of support – in cold, hard cash.” ROMP was created by DeLay in ’99 as a way of channeling money from GOP members in safe districts to those in more competitive ones. DeLay has “raked in” more than $1.5 million from fellow GOPers and will send that money to the 10 most vulnerable House members, as decided by House leadership.

[Posted 03/17 01:40 PM]

Today I spoke with a GOP source very close to the Social Security debate that had a more positive take than most. Even those dedicated to reform have spoken in concerned or negative terms to me over the past two weeks. This source shares the concern, but has concrete ideas for combating it as well:

“The state of the Social Security debate is very worrisome. But the president is doing the right thing.”

“What members of Congress ought to be doing is looking at one of the Social Security bills out there that doesn’t have a lot of sponsors. If the Senate leadership can get 20, 30, or even 40 members to sign on to a bill, it would really show momentum. This is the least of what they should be doing, but it would be an important step.”

“The Democrats are so united on this. The GOP sees this as ‘be nice to win.’ But the Democrats view this as a threat to their very lives. They are in it totally. By so quickly opening the door to compromise, the Senate and the White House have hurt their leverage on this issue.”

Still the source still believes that a filibuster can be avoided if the right Democrats are pressured and a compromise that does not violate fiscally conservative principles is struck.

[Posted 03/17 11:53 AM]

Budget Committee Chair Judd Gregg tells it like it is regarding Gordon Smith’s proposed savings cut from this year’s budget.

In what the AP calls “almost personal terms” Gregg notes Smith would “gut the only thing in this budget” that would enact fiscal discipline, “and it’s being done by Republicans.” Gregg adds, "You just have to ask yourself, how they get up in the morning and look in the mirror?"

[Posted 03/17 11:42 AM]

What is up with Gordon Smith? As we noted yesterday, Smith is calling for a 50 percent reduction in this year’s budget savings. I am an Oregon native and understand the state’s liberal leanings.

Nonetheless, Oregon held the nation’s highest unemployment rate for a period last year and its economy remains troubled. Does Smith think high taxes are really the way to serve his constituents best?

Club For Growth President Pat Toomey tells Beltway Buzz that Smith’s actions are out of line with Republican philosophy, “The strongest legitimate criticism of the Republican Party today is that they’ve allowed spending to get out of control. This is a very modest budget, in terms of savings. It’s very disappointing to see a few GOP senators try to remove that.”

[Posted 03/17 10:41 AM]

From President Bush’s remarks on Rob Portman, earlier this morning:

“As a member of the House leadership, Rob has shown he can bring together people of differing views to get things done. He's been a tireless advocate for America's manufacturers and entrepreneurs. He's a former international trade lawyer who has shown a deep dedication to free and fair trade. And now he will bring that commitment to his new role as U.S. Trade Representative.”

And from Portman:

“Open markets and better trade relations are key components to a more peaceful, a more stable and a more prosperous world. Through expanded trade, the roots of democracy and freedom are deepened. And here at home, trade policy opens markets to create jobs, a higher standard of living and greater economic growth.”

[Posted 03/17 10:36 AM]

Today’s gaggle was brief and contentious. Scott McClellan cut things short after a trio of reporters, led by Helen Thomas, badgered and aggressively interrupted McClellan to pepper him with questions about accusations of torture of terrorist suspects.

Before things fell apart, McClellan took a few questions. The first two regarded Terri Schiavo. When asked if President Bush supports the congressional resolutions that would stop the forced starvation of Schiavo this Friday, McClellan responded:

“The president believes in a culture of life. On complex issues like this, our society and laws ought to have a presumption of life. Especially those that lie at the mercy of others ought to have special consideration.”

A reporter tried to zing McClellan about the nomination of Ohio House member Rob Portman for U.S. Trade Representative. The reporter asked why Bush chose Portman, who had “no international experience.”

McClellan shot back, “Oh really? He is an international trade lawyer.”

[Posted 03/17 09:19 AM]

At 9:30 this morning, President Bush will announce his selection of Ohio Congressman Rob Portman for U.S. Trade Representative.

[Posted 03/17 09:03 AM]

At 10am today, the House will take up H.R. 1332, the "Protection of Incapacitated Persons Act of 2005,"which would act to preserve the life of Terri Schiavo. James Sensenbrenner and Dave Weldon sponsor the legislation. If their legislation passes, it would allow a federal court to consider Schiavo’s case “unrestricted” by the findings of the Florida state court.

Sensenbrenner said, " I believe this legislation is the humane and right thing to do to not only protect Terri Schiavo, but also reinforce the law's commitment to justice and compassion for all, especially the most vulnerable."

[Posted 03/17 08:56 AM]

Is John Cornyn trying to make amends for his immigration policy that has many fellow conservatives upset? Senator Cornyn, who chairs the Immigration Committee, gave his support to Kay Bailey Hutchinson’s amendment that would fund an additional 2,000 border patrol agents.

[Posted 03/17 08:33 AM]

The Washington Post’s Dana Milbank has a piece on the competing “showmanship” between both parties over Social Security. Milbank interjects his opinion to suggest Social Security only needs more tax dollars, not personal accounts. But the majority of the piece is unusually free of bias, as Milbank instead fairly mocks both sides for their Social Security event props, which include a 1930’s car, “I Heart Social Security” pins and other assorted items.

[Posted 03/17 08:17 AM]

The White House has released a statement from President Bush on yesterday’s ANWR vote. An excerpt:

“A reliable domestic supply of energy is important to America’s security and prosperity. This project will keep our economy growing by creating jobs and ensuring that businesses can expand. And it will make America less dependent on foreign sources of energy.”

[Posted 03/17 08:09 AM]

Gallup has released more polling data on Social Security and it is newsworthy.

When respondents were asked, “Do you think it is -- or is not -- necessary for Congress and the president to pass legislation THIS YEAR to make changes to the Social Security system?” 51 percent responded yes, 46 percent said no, and 3 percent had no opinion.

Secondly, respondents were asked, “Suppose Congress and the president do pass legislation to make changes to the Social Security system this year. Do you think that legislation should -- or should not -- include a provision that would allow people who retire in future decades to invest some of their Social Security taxes in the stock market and bonds?” 58 percent responded yes, 37 percent responded no and 5 percent had no opinion.

Gallup polled 1,004 national adults over the age of 18 for their survey.

[Posted 03/16 06:08 PM]

Mel Martinez and Rick Santorum have co-sponsored a bill to preserve the life of Terri Schiavo.

The bill would guarantee legal protections for incapacitated persons. Terri Schiavo is scheduled to have her feeding tube removed on Friday if the U.S. Congress or Florida state legislature does not pass legislation preventing it.

Santorum:

"We offer legal protections to convicted murderers. There should be no question about providing this same equal protection to someone with a disability, charged with no crime, who is at risk of dying a slow death due to starvation and dehydration."

The bill would expand habeas corpus protections, under limited circumstances to protect an incapacitated person's right to a hearing before being removed from life saving equipment.

[Posted 03/16 05:29 PM]

Roll Call is reporting (subscription required) that several Republicans, led by Indiana House member Dan Burton, are looking to replace Henry Hyde as chairman of the International Relations Committee.

It is widely believed that Hyde will retire from Congress in 2006. Burton said, “I want to be ready” in case Hyde pursues an ambassadorship to the Vatican before his term is up.

Ed Royce, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Jim Leach and Chris Smith are all interested in the post as well. "He is actively pursuing the chairmanship," Royce spokeswoman Julianne Smith said.

[Posted 03/16 05:03 PM]

Rasmussen Reports, who were very accurate in their 2004 presidential election prediction, have some contrarian numbers on Social Security.

In their poll of 2,000 adults, Rasmussen finds that only 28 percent prefer doing nothing about Social Security, while 60 percent favor change.

38 percent favor personal retirement accounts, while 46 percent are opposed. A percentage large enough to lift either side above 50 percent remains undecided.

When asked if they prefer personal accounts or “no change”, 45 to 37 percent favor personal accounts.

Finally, 51 to 27 percent favor personal accounts with no benefit changes to those over 55.

[Posted 03/16 03:21 PM]

In a shocking move, John Kerry has issued a press release opposing Paul Wolfowitz as President Bush’s nominee to head the World Bank. If Wolfowitz isn’t careful, Kerry might get really angry and circulate an online petition:

“Coming on the heels of the appointment of John Bolton to be ambassador to the United Nations, this is now another mystifying choice by the Bush administration for an important role in the community of nations. It makes you wonder whether all the administration's words about mending fences with our allies are just lip service. After Deputy Secretary Wolfowitz's repeated and serious miscalculations about the costs and risks America would face in Iraq, I don't believe he is the right person to lead the World Bank.”

[Posted 03/16 03:10 PM]

Getting past the odd innuendo of Massachusetts Democrat Ed Markey’s press release accusing the GOP of trying to “ram” ANWR into law through “backdoor maneuvers,” we find his opposition comes straight from above:

“The American people believe there should be some places on this earth left the way the Almighty made them in the first place. When we finally meet our Maker, we are not going to be asked our position on evolution or the Big Bang. We are going to be asked about what we did to protect the resources we were given. The Congress still has time to pull back from this folly, and we must do everything we can to see that it does.”

Meanwhile, the attempt to strike ANWR from budget legislation failed today, 49-51.

[Posted 03/16 02:33 PM]

Howard Dean has issued an unintentionally hilarious press release today announcing his first fundraiser as DNC chair:

“In Frank Capra's classic ‘Mr. Smith Goes to Washington,’ an inspired Jefferson Smith pleads, ‘Just get up off the ground, that's all I ask ... Great principles don't get lost once they come to light. They're right here -- you just have to see them again!’”

“Echoing Mr. Smith's sentiments, Governor Howard Dean will host his first fundraiser for the Democratic National Committee (DNC) – ‘Mr. Dean Goes to Washington.’”

Yes, Howard Dean fundraising at a nightclub and a classic Jimmy Stewart flick – the parallels are striking.

[Posted 03/16 02:14 PM]

The White House announces today that President Bush will designate FCC commissioner Kevin Martin to be the new Chair of the FCC. Martin will replace outgoing Chair Michael Powell. Martin has served on the FCC since 2001 and before that was a Special Assistant to the President for Economic Policy at the White House.

[Posted 03/16 12:18 PM]

You can expect the mainstream press to ask its share of loaded questions in presidential press conferences. However, Elizabeth Bumiller of the New York Times asked Bush a question that caught even the White House press off-guard.

When discussing Paul Wolfowitz, Bumiller described Wolfowitz as “a chief architect of one of the most unpopular wars in history.” The president was clearly surprised by the opinionated slant of the question, as was just about everyone in the room. After laughing, President Bush responded, “That's an interesting start.”

[Posted 03/16 12:07 PM]

At the briefing, President Bush went into greater detail on Social Security, explaining how personal accounts would benefit those who lose a spouse. “Under the current system, it doesn’t serve you well if you’re a widow.” However, the president explained that with personal accounts, the government would not be able to take away earned benefits from a departed spouse.

[Posted 03/16 11:52 AM]

President Bush took one question regarding Harry Reid’s threat to shut down the Senate if Republicans override Democrat filibusters on the president’s judicial nominees. In response to Reid’s threat, the president said, “I believe I have an obligation to put forth good and honorable people to serve on the bench … They deserve an up or down vote.”

When asked about rising oil prices, the president responded that Congress should pass his energy bill and that “I hope Congress passes ANWR.”

[Posted 03/16 11:35 AM]

One of the lighter notes at today’s press conference involved President Bush and John Roberts from CBS. It was Roberts’s turn to take a question but Terry Moran from ABC jumped ahead of him. When joking about his “bias” (my word not his), in calling on Moran over Roberts, the president joked, “Don’t take it personally John, I don’t.” I didn’t see how Roberts reacted, but the president smiled, laughed and almost seemed to blush momentarily at the reference to Dan Rather and the “60 Minutes” National Guard memo scandal.

[Posted 03/16 11:24 AM]

I just returned from President Bush’s press conference. The president addressed a number of issues, including Social Security reform, Tom DeLay, Iran and judicial nominations.

When asked about Social Security, the president said it was his job to assure Americans that “the Social Security system has worked well and nothing will change for seniors.” However, he is “deeply concerned about young Americans” and ensuring the system’s solvency for future generations. “Personal accounts will make sure workers get a better deal. I am confident we will get something done,” the president said.

The president briefly mentioned his nomination of Paul Wolfowitz to head the World Bank, nothing he has already begun discussing his selection with world leaders, including Silvio Berlusconi. The president described Wolfowitz as a “compassionate, decent man who will do a fine job at the World Bank.”

When asked about Tom DeLay, the president responded, “I have confidence in Tom Delay’s leadership and in Tom DeLay I’ve enjoyed working with him and Speaker Hastert these past four years … I look forward to working with him for the next four years.”

I’ll post more on the president’s remarks momentarily.

[Posted 03/16 08:52 AM]

The Senate voted 50-50 yesterday on a nonbinding measure declaring Congress should reject a Social Security reform plan that requires “deep benefit cuts or a massive increase in debt.”

Five Republicans voted with all 44 Democrats and one independent.

The Senate also voted 100-0 to declare strengthening Social Security is a “national priority.”

[Posted 03/16 08:45 AM]

Majority Leader Bill Frist on Reid's threat: “Never before in the history of the Senate has a nominee with clear majority support been denied an up or down vote on the Senate floor because of a filibuster. To shut down the Senate would be irresponsible and partisan. The solution is simple: return to 200 years of tradition and allow up or down votes on judges.”

[Posted 03/16 08:42 AM]

Gordon Smith is leading a pack of Senate Republican moderates who want to reduce the entitlement savings in this year’s budget by half. Smith’s main target is Medicaid. Smith’s plan would eliminate $15 billion in savings. As Lindsey Graham responded, “If this is the way we are going to approach these entitlement programs, then shame on us.”

[Posted 03/16 08:29 AM]

Howard Dean opens today’s letter to Democrats with a bit of self-deprecating humor: “Sometimes partisan politics gets overheated -- I know that as well as anyone.”

Dean uses the rest of his DNC letter to pitch a petition against Republican judicial nominees. Dean’s main argument is that, “More Americans voted against George Bush than any sitting president in history. And that same day, across the country, the Democratic candidates for Senate received over 4 million more votes than Republicans.”

Conservatives, in the meantime, will just have to resign themselves to winning elections.

[Posted 03/16 08:18 AM]

The Senate is set to vote today on Democrat efforts to remove ANWR from this year’s budget. John Thune, on where the vote stands:

''I think the stars are lining up for this. This can be done -- both the exploration phase and the production phase -- to minimize the footprint that's left and any impact on the environment or wildlife."

[Posted 03/15 04:46 PM]

Hopeful Democrats and many in the media say the Social Security debate could create an electoral backlash against Republicans in 2006.

However, a more rapidly developing story provides evidence we could be seeing an event closer to 1995. When Republicans shut down the government in opposition to Bill Clinton it hurt them. Democrats are now threatening similar action against President Bush’s judicial nominees.

What did several of these prominent Democrats say about filibusters during Clinton’s administration? If these five Democrats stood by their previous arguments, the filibuster battle would be resolved.

Barbara Boxer – 5/14/97:

“It is not the role of the Senate to obstruct the process and prevent numbers of highly qualified nominees from even being given the opportunity for a vote on the Senate floor.”

Dick Durbin – 9/28/98:

“If, after 150 days languishing on the Executive Calendar that name has not been called for a vote, it should be. Vote the person up or down.”

Tom Harkin – 1/5/95:

“I do not believe that I as a member of the minority ought to have the right to absolutely stop something because I think it is wrong, that that is rule by minority.”

Ted Kennedy – 3/7/00

“The Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court said: ‘The Senate is surely under no obligation to confirm any particular nominee, but after the necessary time for inquiry it should vote him up or vote him down.’ Which is exactly what I would like.”

Pat Leahy - 6/18/98

“If we don’t like somebody the President nominates, vote him or her down. But don’t hold them in this anonymous unconscionable limbo, because in doing that, the minority of Senators really shame all Senators.”

[Posted 03/15 04:22 PM]

John Thune has issued a statement on Democrat judicial filibusters and Harry Reid’s threat to shut down the Senate:

“The American people sent us to the Senate to get things done, not shut it down. A minority of Senators must not be permitted to block action on all the critical issues before Congress. Congress never solved a problem by embracing gridlock.”

[Posted 03/15 03:47 PM]

During his meeting with 1,000 members of the National Republican Congressional Committee today, Tom DeLay addressed the critical point concerning the media coverage of allegations surrounding him and DeLay associates:

“With all the partisan politics of personal destruction that the Democrats have announced and have carried through on, I have yet to be found breaking any House rules.”

DeLay said he would be happy to meet with the Ethics Committee.

While meeting with 60 reporters, DeLay discussed the Washington Post’s coverage of him as using “implication and innuendo” rather than facts.

[Posted 03/15 03:08 PM]

Meanwhile, John Cornyn has put out a statement on Democrat judicial filibusters:

“The American people should ask why Democrats are threatening to shut down the Senate. They should ask why Democrats are willing to block funding for healthcare, education, farms and families in order to prevent a simple up-or-down vote on the President’s judicial nominees. I believe the elected majority in the Senate should be able to act to restore Senate traditions, and bring us back from the harmful and divisive politics of filibuster.”

[Posted 03/15 03:05 PM]

Ted Kennedy, Chuck Schumer and Dick Durbin have signed up with Move-On and Robert Byrd to protest judicial nominees tomorrow afternoon.

[Posted 03/15 12:36 PM]

John Kerry has sent an email petition to supporters urging them to sign an online “roll call” in support of his amendment to remove ANWR from this year’s budget. Kerry says that for ANWR to be defeated seven Republican senators in six moderate states must be targeted with “emergency” attack ads. The seven targeted senators are: Norm Coleman, Gordon Smith, Arlen Specter, Mel Martinez, Richard Lugar, and Senators Judd Gregg and John Sununu.

Kerry, on the GOP budget: “They don't care about putting America on a genuine path to energy independence.”

[Posted 03/15 11:31 AM]

Now that the AFL-CIO has squeezed the Financial Services Forum out of the Social Security debate, they are taking their censorship push to Charles Schwab and Wachovia.

The AFL-CIO plans to protest the two companies for their support of Social Security reform. However, Schwab has not even gone on the record as supporting reform. Sources tell me this particular targeting is tied to Schwab’s support of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s plan for personal accounts in California.

On March 31, the AFL-CIO plans to hold 50 events in several cities, including outside the Schwab and Wachovia headquarters.

[Posted 03/15 10:51 AM]

The Chicago Tribune reports that the investigations of DeLay could slow the GOP agenda. Before that happens, DeLay himself plans to start meeting with and discussing “his own defense” with fellow Republicans this week.

Meanwhile, the DNC will start promoting its daily attacks against DeLay on their website, starting today.

[Posted 03/15 10:35 AM]

I have a new article up on the main site. It’s about Nancy Pelosi and her misguided effort to shift unwarranted investigations onto Tom DeLay.

While I firmly believe much of the mainstream media’s coverage of DeLay is out of balance, conservatives should not ignore it. There is no doubt DeLay’s credibility hangs in the balance. In cases like this where reporting bias is clearly demonstrated, there can be no doubt DeLay is locked in the media crosshairs.

[Posted 03/15 09:18 AM]

The Ankle Biting Pundits blog has a detailed critique of the Washington Post Social Security reform poll here.

[Posted 03/15 09:04 AM]

The New York Times notes there are budget rumblings in the House as well. Fiscal conservatives want to return an expired requirement making it harder for Congress to spend above its set budget.

President Bush and Tom DeLay oppose the restriction. Roy Blunt is said to be seeking a compromise. However, Mike Pence has told colleagues he has enough votes to “derail” the budget if changes are not made.

Midway through their story, the NYT throws down the gauntlet:

“Republicans have said for decades that they could tamp down the growth in spending, if only they could get Democrats out of the way. … Now, with a Republican in the White House and the party more firmly in control of Congress, the 2006 budget has become a test of Republicans' ability to make good on their vow.”

[Posted 03/15 08:50 AM]

George Voinovich has endorsed a plan requiring spending cuts or matching revenue increases before passing the Senate’s $70 billion tax cut budget. Last year, Voinovich opposed the measure, but he now joins Olympia Snowe, Susan Collins, John McCain and Lincoln Chafee in supporting it.

Voinovich cited the strong economy and “major reductions in capital gains and dividend tax rates that disproportionately benefit the affluent,” as reasons for his switch.

[Posted 03/15 08:22 AM]

Both sides in the Senate are using Social Security as a pawn in the budget battle. Democrats are attempting to insert language that would “make it harder for Congress to cut taxes or increase spending unless Social Security's long-term solvency has been assured.” Meanwhile, Republicans want language included and approved by the Senate “acknowledging the importance of fixing the program's ills, caused by the coming crunch of baby boomer retirements.”

[Posted 03/15 08:14 AM]

The Washington Post runs with its poll numbers for a second day in a row to show the “growing skepticism” surrounding Social Security reform.

[Posted 03/15 07:58 AM]

The Beltway Buzz has twice reported organized labor’s drive to squeeze business groups out of the Social Security debate. Yesterday, there was good news when the Chamber of Commerce rejected the pressure by throwing its hat into the ring.

Unfortunately, today’s news is not positive. The Financial Services Forum, a group headed by Rick Lazio that represents “corporate heavyweights” such as American Express, Citigroup and Goldman Sachs has left the Coalition for the Modernization and Protection of America’s Social Security (Compass). The Financial Services Forum was a co-founder of Compass. The story acknowledges the AFL-CIO was the major influence working to dissuade the group.

[Posted 03/14 03:07 PM]

Up until now, the highly influential U.S. Chamber of Commerce has mostly stayed out of the Social Security reform debate. A number of insider sources have told me this is primarily due to two reasons: small business owners are wary of a payroll tax cap increase and labor unions are offering to back-off lawsuits if businesses don’t get involved in the reform debate.

However, the Chamber of Commerce is changing the dynamics. They have released a poll with Zogby today showing 44 percent of respondents believe a crisis will occur within the system in the next 20 years, and 67 percent see a crisis within the next 40 years.

But here is the gem of the poll: 61 percent of respondents say that taxpayers should have access to the same personal retirement accounts that members of Congress have.

[Posted 03/14 02:46 PM]

Bob Novak debunks the labeling of John Bolton as a neoconservative. In addition, Novak writes the major opposition to Bolton in government circles comes not from his stepping out of line with administration policy, but in his commitment to it. Unlike his predecessor John Danforth, who defended Kofi Annan amidst news of the ongoing old-for-food scandal and told former Senate colleagues that the administration doesn’t take the U.N. seriously.

Novak: “While Bolton more accurately reflects the administration's mind-set, he has not approved of every administration policy. What is inconceivable, however, is that he would go off on his own as Danforth did.”

[Posted 03/14 02:29 PM]

Move-On announced today they are holding a rally this Wednesday with none other than Robert Byrd. The rally will start at noon at the Washington Court Hotel and focus on judicial nominations. Considering the history of Byrd and Move-On, can this dynamic duo survive the entire hour without comparing their opponents to Hitler?

[Posted 03/14 12:35 PM]

U.S. News’ Washington Whispers has some follow-up on a “Beltway Buzz” scoop from a few weeks ago. Back on February 24th, I reported that the Washington Post’s Dana Milbank inaccurately portrayed Donald Rumsfeld’s testimony before Congress.

Understandably, some staffers at the Post weren’t happy with Milbank’s column either. And after our report, Duncan Hunter made a point of criticizing Milbank’s take as false. When Rumsfeld appeared before the panel again last week, Hunter said, “You did precisely as we agreed to.” Rumsfeld thanked Hunter and countered, “I wonder if it will appear in the Washington Post. Probably not.” Sure enough, it didn’t.

Meanwhile, a source tells me, “This story was all over the Pentagon early bird today. People were chuckling about it all morning. The better part is that after National Review’s coverage of Milbank, we hear the Washington Post editors were watching the congressional testimony with a more critical eye.”

[Posted 03/14 10:50 AM]

In the new Gallup poll, Social Security reform is listed as the top domestic problem facing the country, edging out “the economy in general.” Social Security even tops terrorism, with only the war in Iraq coming out higher.

23 percent of respondents also said Social Security was the top concern facing the country over the next 25 years, giving it nearly three times the importance of the economy in general, which registered 9 percent.

[Posted 03/14 10:13 AM]

Over at Tech Central Station, Bryan O’Keefe does some good reporting on organized labor’s opposition to Social Security reform. As the “Beltway Buzz” reported recently regarding the AARP, labor unions also have billions of member pension funds invested in the stock market. The question: if it’s good enough for organized labor and the AARP, why isn’t it good enough for all taxpayers?

[Posted 03/14 09:48 AM]

Today the Vermont Supreme Court will begin considering whether the gubernatorial records of DNC Chair Howard Dean should remain sealed. Upon leaving office two years ago, Dean ordered that his records remain sealed for 10 years, the longest period of any Vermont governor. When asked in early ’03 why he wanted the records sealed, Dean responded, “we didn't want anything embarrassing appearing in the papers at a critical time in any future endeavor.”

[Posted 03/14 09:36 AM]

The Washington Canard blog reports that the Wall Street Journal is dismantling its Washington bureau one significant piece at a time. John Harwood, Alan Murray, Gerald Seib and the “Washington Wire” have all seen their prominence reduced if not eliminated all together.

[Posted 03/14 08:58 AM]

Tom Daschle has joined the firm Alston & Bird LLP, where he will serve as an adviser on topics including energy, Native Americans, health care, international trade, agriculture and technology. Bob Dole, who is also an adviser with the group, says he helped recruit Daschle for the role. One of Daschle’s roles will be to help guide clients through “legal and regulatory hurdles” aka obstructions, in their policy pursuits.

[Posted 03/14 08:48 AM]

The Washington Post interviews a half dozen unnamed sources who claim the increasing number of critical stories concerning Tom DeLay could be a problem. However, one of the few cited sources in the story, Thomas Mann of the left-leaning Brookings Institution, notes DeLay’s success as House Majority Leader.

How much of this is newsworthy and how much is hype? The media reports a series of stories to which DeLay is neither directly connected nor responsible. The negative coverage in turn fuels more stories about DeLay’s negative press which leads to unnamed Republican sources saying the coverage is damaging. But where is the news?

[Posted 03/14 08:32 AM]

The New York Times explains how liberal bloggers are attempting to coordinate with the mainstream media on stories. Liberal bloggers are now conducting regular media conference calls with the likes of CBS, Newsweek, the Washington Post, MSNBC, the National Journal and others. Because if there’s one thing the mainstream media is lacking, it’s imput from a liberal perspective.

[Posted 03/14 08:17 AM]

Several outlets are reporting on Condoleezza Rice and her apparent lack of desire to seek the White House in 2008. Rice was on the Sunday show circuit yesterday where she repeatedly denied having any desire to seek the presidency. The one interesting item here is a poll showing Rice receiving the second highest support of any woman to seek the White House, trailing only Hillary Clinton. When you consider how brief Rice’s time on the national stage has been, those are striking numbers.

[Posted 03/14 08:06 AM]

In the new ABC New/Washington Post poll, President Bush receives 35 percent approval for his handling of the Social Security debate so far. 58 percent of those polled say they are less inclined to support reform the more they hear of the plan’s details. By contrast, Bush has a 50 percent job approval rating.

The poll’s full results won’t be published until 5pm today. So, we’ll probably have to wait until then to see what sampling methods were used. The poll’s findings are within the margin of error of those taken in January.

[Posted 03/14 07:54 AM]

I will be on ABC News Now during the 8am hour this morning discussing nuclear proliferation, Social Security and Tom DeLay with Judd Legum of the Center for American Progress.