The Daily Muck

The New York Times sat on a story for three years about the United States’ and Pakistan’s joint secret efforts to protect nuclear weapons at the request of the Bush administration. The paper asked the administration if they could publish the Sunday story in light of recent developments in Pakistan that made it newsworthy, and this time, the “White House withdrew its request that publication be withheld.” (Politico)

Justice Department lawyers are concerned that an “unprecedented expansion” of the “speech or debate” clause of the Constitution may have the unintended effect of hampering corruption probes and investigations of members of Congress. The expansion, which occurred in a ruling during William Jefferson’s (D-LA) trial, bans “cursory exposure to legislative materials without a Member’s consent.” (Washington Post)

While other senators have bolted the capitol for the holiday, senator Jim Webb (D-VA) is holding down the fort. Webb is remaining in the Senate to hold pro-forma sessions that will prevent Bush from making recess appointments. (New York Times)

Former White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan has waited until now – during a PR campaign for his new book release – to come clean with the American people about the false statements he made to Americans regarding the CIA leak case. McClellan asserts that in asserting that Rove and Libby had no involvement in the leak of Plame’s name, “I had unknowingly passed along false information” “and five of the highest ranking officials in the administration were involved in my doing so.” (Politico)

Federal prosecutors say a civilian contractor won millions of dollars in business with the military because he paid $9.6 million in bribes to an Army official. The contractor, Terry Hall, has not entered a plea. If convicted of the bribery charge, he could be ordered to serve 15 years in prison, pay a fine of $250,000 and endure supervised release. (Boston Globe)

In the trial of an Islamic scholar accused of inciting terrorist acts, the presiding federal judge has warned the government that defense lawyers must be able to review classified information in order to mount a defense. This is the same judge who was misled by the government in the Moussaoui case about the existence of government evidence, and the New York Times reports that her patience is running out. (New York Times)

In a John Bolton book party attended by the Cheneys, Scooter Libby, Byron York and Grover Norquist, Tom Delay was busy trashing the Republican leadership. But his best holiday cheer was reserved for Paul Krugman: “I’d like to bitch-slap him.” (Examiner.com)

Ever wonder what life is like for a conservative Senator after he gets caught soliciting gay sex in a bathroom? Check out McClatchy’s piece on Senator Larry Craig’s (R-ID) diminished status. (McClatchy)