A long-time TPM Reader, who’s got a pretty good handle on Republican congressional politics, poses a really interesting question — maybe the question. Let’s say President Bush gives in to the urge to surge, as now seems increasingly likely. What do the Republicans on the Hill do? What do the leaders in each House do? Remember, they’re the ones with the new word “minority” tacked on to the front of their titles, courtesy in large part to their previous lockstep support of Bush’s debacle in Iraq. The president is, after all, the Commander-in-Chief, much as the country may now regret it. So I think he can sustain the policy in the face of Democratic opposition. But what if his own party deserts him? What do Messrs. McConnell and Boehner have to say?
Ahhh, the Rudy presidential exploratory committee website. Years of entertainment.
Understanding your enemy watch …
President Bush Monday night at the White House menorah lighting: “‘Terroristsâ canât be God-believing people.”
Top New York Republican, Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno, being investigated by the Feds.
In a front page story in Wednesday’s Post, President Bush makes major news by moving from a completely delusional to a semi-delusional stance on the progress of the War in Iraq.
Says Bush, In Iraq, “we’re not winning, we’re not losing.”
Bush also embraces long-standing Democratic position that the US military must be expanded.
Can we hear more about this? From WaPo …
Treasury Secretary Henry M. Paulson Jr., who enjoys strong credibility among Democrats and Republicans, has been making the rounds on Capitol Hill to talk about restructuring Social Security, emphasizing that there are no preconceptions.
Would love to hear from some of our Hill staffer TPM Readers on this.
I’m comin’ home! A former Iraqi official jailed on corruption charges busts out of prison with the help of private contractors, then phones The Chicago Tribune to say he’s coming back to Illinois. That and other news of the day in today’s Daily Muck.