Fitzgerald Tells All — To High School Paper
Libby prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald is notoriously tight-lipped with the media — but his old high school’s newspaper, The Owl of Regis High School in New York City, apparently caught him in an unguarded moment, scooping the major dailies on Fitzgerald’s inner life.
What does Fitz divulge? He likes to “go hiking,” and he’s “a longtime Seinfeld fan.” As for his job, “Every day is new and every day is interesting,” Fitzgerald told the paper. “I love being a prosecutor; it is a great job, and it is very engaging.”
No details on the Libby case, unfortunately. But who knows — we’ll be checking the Owl’s web site regularly, just in case they post a follow-up. (The Owl, AP)
The Mollohan Fallout Continues
Rep. Alan Mollohan (D-WV) stepped down from the House ethics committee last Friday, but this week’s been even worse, with yesterday’s story in the Wall Street Journal. And today the Times picks the story up, with Mollohan sounding somewhat hapless in his defense, saying that the conflict of interest “did not occur to him.” (NYT)
The Plank says that Democrats should demand a full accounting from Mollohan in order to maintain the integrity of their “Culture of Corruption” stand. (The Plank)
Time reports that Republicans are “rejoicing” and that Mollohan will be a big issue for Republicans this fall. (Time)
Meanwhile, Dems seem to be generally happy with the way Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi handled the affair, getting Mollohan to bow out of the ethics chair before things got even nastier. (Roll Call)
P-rk – Bush Threatens Veto
Conservatives are in a real tizzy over the emergency Iraq/Katrina appropriations bill coming down the pike. The $106.5 billion bill exceeds Bush’s February request by more than $14 billion, including a whole host of earmarks, including the biggest one ever, the $700 million “railroad to nowhere” inserted by Mississippi’s senators. Bush has threatened a veto, his first ever, if the bill isn’t trimmed. Time for a showdown! (Wash Wire, AP, Roll Call)
Taylor’s Opponent Seizes Golden Political Opportunity
As we noted today, Rep. Charles Taylor (R-NC) is blocking the funding for a 9/11 memorial for the families of the passengers and crew on United Airlines Flight 93. The Democratic candidate Heath Shuler has seized the opportunity laid at his feet. Republicans are frantic for a way to capture the issue and think they may yet find a way:
A senior House GOP aide said Tuesday that Republicans will find a way to fund the purchase of land for the memorial, likely before an amendment could be offered during subcommittee markup. The bill is expected to be drafted early next month.
“The bottom line is either we’re going to do this because [subcommittee ranking member] Norm Dicks (D-Wash.) is going to offer an amendment and it’s going to pass, or we’re going to do it and get credit for it,” the aide said. “So I think we’re pursuing a path by which we, Republicans, get credit for it, not the Democrats.”
McKinney Probe Spreads
A grand jury will hear from four more Hill aides as part of an effort to understand the details of the incident March 29 between Rep. Cynthia McKinney (D-GA) and a police officer. Clearly, this is one investigation Sen. Pat Roberts (R-KS) isn’t in charge of. (AP)
Tommy Franks Trounces Harris
If the Florida Senate election were held today, retired Gen. Tommy Franks could beat Katherine Harris as the GOP nominee, according to a new poll. It’s not clear why the pollsters chose Franks — the most likely new challenger to Harris appears to be FL House Speaker Allan Bense, but he’s iffy at best. (The Hill, AP)
Reform Revolt!
The House Republicans’ lobbying reform bill, the one no one really seems to like except for lobbyists, is lumbering toward passage. And language has been reinserted that limits giving to 527 groups, a measure that could cause some controversy. (Roll Call)
But Republicans who sit on the appropriations committee think that they’re being unfairly targeted and want earmark reform legislation to apply to other forms of earmarks besides just them. If enough Republican appropriators put their foot down, the bill could tank. (The Hill)
Your K Street Round-Up
Hey, did you know that most of the top lobbying firms don’t even work on K Street? The Post even has a fancy map to prove it. (WaPo)
And since we tend to spend a lot of time dumping on K Street, here’s the best on K Street, courtesy of The Hill. (The Hill)
This Week in Lobby Offensives
The oil industry is set to fight back after a bad PR week with “a yearlong grassroots lobbying push that could cost in excess of $30 million.” (The Hill)
And Public Citizen reveals that 18 wealthy families are the force behind the movement to repeal the Estate Tax. (Public Citizen)
Weldon Tries to Score Some Political Points on CIA Leak
Mary McCarthy, the CIA analyst recently fired for contacts with the media, has donated $350 to Rep. Curt Weldon’s (R-PA) opponent. And now Weldon is screaming bloody murder. (Phil Inquirer)
Covered Yesterday
Safavian Fawns All Over “The Most Watched Lobbyist”…(link)
Renzi’s Troubled History with the FEC…(link)
Mollohan Bought Farm with Earmark Buddy; FBI Sniffs around West Virginia…(link)
Waas: Roberts Leaked, Endangered Lives…(link)
Doolittle’s Senseless Stonewall Continues…(link)
McCain’s New Money Pals Under Scrutiny…(link)
Renzi, Paying Through The Nose…(link)
Tax Breaks for Big Oil: Bush Was For it Before He Was Against It…(link)
Charles Taylor Stands Up to Families of Flight 93…(link)
AT&T Buys Dem Sponsor for Anti-Internet Bill?…(link)
Claude Allen: A Mystery, Wrapped in an Enigma, Wrapped in a Target Bag…(link)
