New Leak In Valerie Plame Case: She’s Writing a Book
Former CIA undercover agent Valerie Plame, whose identity was exposed in a series of conversations with White House officials, was the victim of another leak, this time from the New York publishing world. Two anonymous sources confirmed to the New York Times that Plame has been shopping a book proposal around town. (NYT)
For Harris, MZM Earmark Was “Priority”
Former staffers continue to turn against Rep. Katherine Harris (R-FL), this time by confirming that they had initially rejected her proposed $10 million earmark for an MZM counterintelligence facility in her district because it was “late and difficult to understand.” The earmark had been requested by former MZM chief Mitchell Wade, who is now cooperating with Federal investigators by spilling his guts about hookers, bribes and other unsavory details of how to win government contracts and influence the appropriations process. (Orlando Sentinel)
Santorum Took Corporate Flights While Arguing Against Perk
Speaking from the Senate floor, Sen. Rick Santorum (R-PA) urged his colleagues to curtail a popular perk: private corporate-sponsored flights at bargain rates for members of Congress. But two days earlier, he had taken a BellSouth plane from a runway near his home in Leesburg, Va., to fund-raising events in North Carolina and South Carolina. (PI)
Dems Won’t Call on Jefferson to Resign
Democratic insiders said that everyone from Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) on down would love to see Rep. William Jefferson (D-LA) resign from Congress, “although they wonât make an open declaration about Jefferson because of internal party politics.” (Roll Call – More at WaPo and NYT on the charges against Jefferson)
Senate Incumbents’ Club Kicks In For Troubled Members
Incumbent senators facing tough re-elections are enjoying some largesse from their safe-seated colleagues. Sens. Rick Santorum (R-PA) and Conrad Burns (R-MT) have received close to $300,000 apiece from other senators, despite their serious ethics problems. âWe always help each other,â Burns is quoted as saying. (Roll Call)
Harris May Have Primary Opponent
National Republicans watching the Florida Senate race are increasingly confident that House Speaker Allen Bense (R) will enter the GOP primary at the last moment. The filing deadline is May 12. (Hotline)
House Republicans Pass Enfeebled Reform Bill
The bill passed by a 217-213 margin. More on the bill’s contents at NYT, Roll Call and AP.
There’s Something About A Must-Pass Bill
Sensing weakness, the Senate strikes — stuffing billions of earmarks into an important emergency-spending bill to support Katrina efforts and pay for the occupation of Iraq. (Washington Post)
Ill. Rep.’s Campaign Chairman Spends $1,462 at Strip Club
Rep. Jerry Weller’s campaign chairman, also the mayor of New Lenox, spent $1,462 of government money at a strip club. (ArchPundit, Chi Trib)
