The Daily Muck

Part IV of the Washington Post’s profile of Dick Cheney arrives today, with a focus on his interest in the environment. In 2001, Cheney reached down the chain of command to overturn the EPA in the case of the Klamath River; his intervention privileged the farmers and ranchers over government scientists in a hotly contested election state. (Washington Post)

Several complaints have surfaced recently that the Justice Department, which is tasked with documenting other agencies’ progress in enforcing the Freedom of Information Act, produced reports that seriously overstated government-wide success in compliance. (Think Progress)

An institute director for the National Institute of Health has been found in gross violation of conflict-of-interest guidelines for, among other things, not divesting his holdings in biotechnology and pharmaceutical stocks. (Washington Post)

The increasingly bizarre trial of ex-Governor Don Siegelman (D-AR) continued yesterday, with the judge assigning the prosecution two days to present sentencing evidence and the assigning the defense one day to counter. (Harper’s)

Fred Thompson hopes to become the first federally registered lobbyist ever elected President. While many worry how the nature of lobbyist work, particularly for the tobacco company Philip Morris, would affect his managerial style, Thompson has shrugged off the concerns and reaffirmed the importance and prevalence of lobbying. (Huffington Post, Associated Press)

The CIA released yesterday its “family jewels” of CIA misconduct over the past few decades; here are a few highlights. Via War and Piece, Bob Woodward offers his commentary on the situation. (Associated Press, Washington Post)

A deal that would require the electronic filing of all campaign finance forms from senators has once again been stymied, but hope still exists that the bill will eventually make it to the floor. (Roll Call)

The California GOP is in hot water for placing a Canadian immigrant in a senior director position, as FEC law prohibits foreign nationals from any involvement with campaign finances and decision. (ABC’s The Blotter)

Layers of bureaucratic legislation around the issue of ethics reform have provided two Senate aides who left office last fall have followed very different paths; although virtually similar cases, one is allowed to lobby his former colleagues immediately, while the other has heavy restrictions against him. (Congressional Quarterly)

The White House looks likely to nominate Thomas O’Brien, a career prosecutor, as U.S. Attorney for Central California. O’Brien would replace George Cardona, the final interim appointment made before Bush signed the restored Patriot Act. (Associated Press)

The White House acknowledged Bush’s mistake yesterday in calling the Senate immigration bill amnesty. Bush has assiduously denied that the bill offers amnesty to illegal immigrants. (LA Times)