House Oversight Chairman Wants Answers On Party Crashers
Rep. Edolphus Towns (D-NY), chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, wants answers on the two party-crashers at President Obama’s state dinner. “We need an immediate investigation into the facts of this case, and a review of the Secret Service’s security practices,” said Towns. “I have asked for a preliminary briefing next week and will follow the investigation until we understand what actually happened.”
New Group Seeks To Draft Dick Cheney For 2012 Presidential Race
A new Web site, Draft Cheney 2012, has been launched to ask former Vice President Dick Cheney to run for president in 2012. “There is only one person in our party with the experience, political courage and unwavering commitment to the values that made our party strong – and that person is Dick Cheney,” said Christopher Barron, an organizer of the group.
Nader On Potential Senate Run: ‘It Really Depends On What Kind Of Momentum There Is’
Ralph Nader said he is “absorbing a lot of the feedback” before he makes a decision on whether to run for Senate in Connecticut, against incumbent Democrat Chris Dodd. “It really depends on what kind of momentum there is and how many people are willing to roll up their sleeves,” Nader explained, “because I’m very accustomed to people saying ‘run Ralph run’ and then they drift away, predisposed and preoccupied with their daily life. It has to be bottom up.”
Justice Department Says ACORN Can Be Paid For Existing Contracts
The Justice Department has declared that the new Congressional ban on federal funding for ACORN should not be read in such a way as to break pre-existing contracts with the group, “where doing so would give rise to contractual liability.” Acting Assistant Attorney General David Barron also argued that the breaking of contracts, including where ACORN’s services have been performed but payment hasn’t yet been processed, would raise constitutional concerns that are best avoided through a narrow interpretation of the law.
Jenny Sanford Moves Into The Limelight
The New York Times reports that South Carolina First Lady Jenny Sanford has been expanding her public profile in the wake of her husband’s sex scandal, with Mrs. Sanford coming out with a new book, trademarking her own name, and an upcoming interview with Barbara Walters — and perhaps even a run for office: “In South Carolina, some politicians and experts believe she may run for office. They are quick to note that she has served as campaign manager during her husband’s races, shares his conservative fiscal values and acted as de facto chief of staff briefly in his first term.”
Norquist: Nelson, Specter Would Break Tax Pledge If They Vote For Health Care Bill
The Hill reports that Grover Norquist says Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE) and Sen. Arlen Specter (D-PA) would be violating the Americans For Tax Reform pledge to not raise taxes, which both of them have signed, if they vote for the health care bill as it is currently written. Norquist also said that Specter would not be released from the pressure of the pledge, simply because he signed it when he was a Republican: “That doesn’t get you off the hook.”
