First of All...
Leno: "And on the Republican side, the darling of the religious right, conservative Senator David Vitter of Louisiana has not only admitted to having sex with prostitutes, he would pay them $300 to make him wear diapers. And today that crazy astronaut called him 'my dream guy! He's got my vote.'"
Ditch Mitch McConell (R-KY) Singers Debut
LOL.
Lineup and all other goods below the fold...
The Lineup (Link back here, copiers)
- MTP: Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) & Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA) on Iraq; roundtable of Bloomberg's Al Hunt, Mike Murphy (R), Fox News' Bob Novak, and Bob Shrum (D) on 08
- FTN: Gen. Mark Kimmitt; Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN); Time's Karen Tumulty; WaPo's Dan Balz
- This Week: Sen. Richard Lugar (R-IN) & Sen. John Warner (R-VA) on Iraq; NSA Stephen Hadley on Iraq and al-Qaeda; roundtable of Time's Jay Carney, ABC News' Claire Shipman, Sam Donaldson and George Will.
- FNS: NSA Stephen Hadley; Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI); AEI's Fred Kagan
- Late Edition: Sen. Joe Biden (D-DE): Sen. Trent Lott (R-MS); Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI); Iraqi Foregin Minister Hoshyar Zebari; NSA Stephen Hadley; roudntable of Ed Henry, Joe Johns & Hotline's Amy Walter
More TV Alerts (all subject to change) (would appreciate a link for those copying this to other sites.)
- Now: "California takes on global warming - will it push the whole country
into action?" on 7/13
- Bill Moyers Journal: Bruce Fein & John Nichols talk impeachment and civil liberties during wartime on 7/13;
- Political Capital with Al Hunt (Bloomberg, repeats throughout weekend): NSA Stephen Hadley on 7/13
- Chris Matthews Show 7/14-7/15: David Gregory, Cynthia Tucker, Katty Kay, Ryan Lizza discuss "Will President Bush have to bow to pressure from Republicans to change the mission in Iraq? Can John McCain recover from his campaign troubles?" Quotes here.
- Newsmakers (C-SPAN, 10am): Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI) on 7/15
- Road to the WH (C-SPAN, 6:30pm): John McCain in NH on 7/15
- 60 Minutes: DNA and Crime Investigations on 7/15; American defector in North Korea on 7/15; multimillionaire who helps dogs on 7/15
- The Daily Show: Josh Rushing on 7/16; Christopher Walken on 7/17; Matt Groening on 7/18; Adam Sandler on 7/19;
- The Colbert Report: Richard Florida on 7/16; John Mellencamp on 7/17; Mark Moffit on 7/18; Frank Sulloway on 7/19; Simon Schama on 7/23; Anthony Romero on 7/24; Charles Kaiser on 7/25; Bob Shrum on 7/26; Evan Osnos on 7/30; Kathleen Kennedy Townsend on 7/31
- Leno: Bill Maher on 7/16; Chris Matthews on 7/18
- Jimmy Kimmel: Brian Williams on 7/17
- Craig Ferguson: Carl Bernstein on 7/24
Sunday Talk Ratings for Last Week's Shows
Hotline 7/12: "For the week of 7/8, NBC's "Meet the Press" was not counted by Nielsen due to coverage of Wimbledon. ABC's "This Week" received a 1.9 rating/6 share and 2.355M viewers while CBS' "Face the Nation" received a 1.7/5 and 2.199M viewers. "Fox News Sunday" came in with a 0.9/3 and 1.170M viewers" Last week's guests here.
A Rose for Lady Bird
Former first lady Lady Bird Johnson was 94 when she died in Austin, TX on 7/11. Link wmtriallawyer did a nice post on three grand dames of TX (Ann Richards, Molly Ivins and Lady Bird Johnson).
A deep red rose is supposed to symbolize deep respect. RIP, Mrs. Johnson.
Sen. Leahy (D-VT) v. Sara Taylor
More at TPM Muckraker. If you don't have time to go through all of Taylor's testimony, just know that it can basically be whittled down to ‘I Don’t Know’ And ‘I Don’t Recall’
Sins of the Past
What if Vitter ends up having to testify at Palfrey/s trial? Wonkette gets to have more fun. Anyways... Sen. David Vitter (R-LA) fesses up to using Deborah Jeane Palfrey's escort service.
"This was a very serious sin in my past for which I am, of course, completely responsible," Vitter said.
"Several years ago, I asked for and received forgiveness from God and my wife in confession and marriage counseling. Out of respect for my family, I will keep my discussion of the matter there -- with God and them. But I certainly offer my deep and sincere apologies to all I have disappointed and let down in any way."
[...]
He was elected to the House in 1999, filling the seat vacated by Rep. Bob Livingston, who was headed toward the House speakership in 1998 when he was forced to reveal his marital infidelities.
[...]
His wife, Wendy, was asked by the Newhouse News reporter: If her husband was as unfaithful as former President Bill Clinton, would she be as forgiving as Hillary Clinton?
"I’m a lot more like Lorena Bobbitt than Hillary," Wendy Vitter told Newhouse News. "If he does something like that, I’m walking away with one thing, and it’s not alimony, trust me."
Keep the knives from your wife, David! Or as Dana Milbank says, "In Vitter's defense, he has more than his political future to worry about right now; he could lose his manhood.". This isn't the end of Vitter's troubles. If this serious sin was paying for sex, then, he should be prosecuted for committing a crime (multiple times). Also, he allegedly made visits to the Canal Street brothel in the mid-1990s, according to Jeanette Maier, the madam there. Also, there's a LA GOPer not happy with Vitter
In the wake of U.S. Sen. David Vitter's admission that he engaged a Washington, D.C., prostitute, a member of the Republican State Central Committee called for him to resign.
Vincent Bruno, of Kenner, said today that Vitter should resign "for his own good, the good of the party and the good of his family." If he doesn't resign, Vitter should "join the Democratic Party where they think that kind of behavior is OK."
Bruno said Vitter's actions violate the Republican Party's "Family Values" stance but he doesn't expect the party leadership to do anything about it. "We had David Duke and couldn't do anything about it."
"They think more of the party than the right thing to do," he said. "If they're not going to enforce family values, they ought to take it out of the vocabulary.
"We're the party of hypocrites," he said. "Vote for us and we'll lie to you, we'll engage prostitutes and we'll cheat on our wives."
This Bruno guy sounds a little like Vitter circa 1998. Speaking of blasts from the past: watch Vitter's 04 family values campaign ads here. Vitter does have his defenders like the ex-madam from New Orleans.
Maier, who said she didn’t have sex with Vitter, added, "He’s a good man and we’re looking at the man, not his penis."
Seriously, an ex-madam is Vitter's character witness right now. It's not just the madam who is talking. "Wendy Cortez" a prostitute in New Orleans is talking about her affair with Vitter. Vitter was a regular client when he was a state legislator in the 1990s. Photos of Cortez and Vitter together existed at one point. One was described by an ex boyfriend of Wendy Cortez's. She had her hand on his crotch.
Vitter's Moment in the Spotlight
Front pages from Louisiana papers:
Quote of the Week
Charlie Cook on McCain's campaign
"Let's have a moment of silence," said Charlie Cook, editor and publisher of the nonpartisan Cook Political Report in Washington, D.C. "The physicians have left the room, and now it's the executors of the will taking over. This isn't about strategizing or organizing or messaging, it's now about paying off the bills and sort of winding down."
One person who is probably not having a moment of silence for McCain's campaign? Sen. George Voinovich (R-OH). Testy, testy, Mr. McCain.
Reason to Love Hotline's Wake-Up Call
From the 7/11 edition:
ABC News reports that in light of a "potential new al Qaeda threat on U.S. soil," the WH has scheduled an "urgent" meeting in the Situation Room "for Thursday" (Reuters). In the other "Situation Room" yesterday, Joe Lieberman said: "We've got the enemy, Al Qaeda, on the run" (CNN).
Headlines
Richard Carmona, Surgeon General from 02-06, on Bush's politicization of the Surgeon General's office. I'd note that a Surgeon General under Clinton criticized Clinton and a Surgeon Gen under Reagan criticized Reagan for the same thing at the hearing, but according to an ABCNews report, everyone agreed it was way worse under Dubya.
Media
Nobody puts Biden in a corner (with Kucinich)
In Cleveland
After speaking at a United Steelworkers conference in Cleveland last week, The Plain Dealer asked Biden about his standing as a second-tier candidate who gets lumped in with Kucinich.
The senator from Delaware didn't appreciate the comparison.
"Get a life," he said, gently grabbing the reporter's shoulder. "Nobody compares me with Dennis Kucinich. No one. Have you found anybody who says I'm not qualified to be president? Not one single time since 1952 has the front-runner in the Democratic Party won the nomination. These polls means absolutely zero at this point. Flat zero."
Rep. Mark Kirk (R-IL-10) Runs Away From Iraq
HT OpenLeft
Rep. Tom Lathan (R-IA) Hears It From Mom of Iraq War Veteran
BNF
Tsk, Tsk, Rudy
Rudy's 9/11 Failures Exposed by Fire Fighters
Giuliani's campaign has responded and called this a partisan attack. Of course, Giuliani doesn't mention that one of the two unions who produced the video backed Bush in 04
Romney's History of Distancing From the GOP
HT to multiple sources.
Mitt, You're A Flip-Flopper When An ESPN Anchor Says So
HT Politico
Electoral Stuff
- Do GOP 08ers have plans for Iraq beyond some vague notion of "STAY FOREVER!!!!"?
- NAACP Presidential Forum didn't get much big-blog attention as it probably should've. Kudos to Dodd's camp for live-streaming it. First Read was one of the few political media blogs that covered this a little like the way it covered the rest of the forums and debates. So links to their coverage of the NAACP forum.
- Senate 2008: NYT charts Republicans up in 08 and their shifting Iraq stands. If you are a constituent, I suggest calling him/her to express your disappointment that he/she has not done more to bring an end to this war.
- Sam Brownback and Terri Schiavo's brother to campaign together
- The ghost of Nixon. Nixon thought Fred Thompson was "dumb as hell"
- Rudy sure knows how to pick 'em
- Columnist for Bloomberg News: For Bloomberg Candidacy, Odds Are Just Too Long Props for getting the disclosure out of the way in the third paragraph. Usually, that sort of thing ends up at the end.
- 4 GOP Senators To Be Targeted by DSCC Ads The lucky 4 are McConnell (KY), Collins (ME), Sununu (NH) and Coleman (MN).
- FL: Paper ballots for voting. The state can't find anyone to buy the electronic touch-screen voting machines.
- VA-Sen: Should John Warner (R) retire, his GOP successor is likely Rep. Tom Davis (R). His likely campaign team includes SBV"T" veteran Chris LaCivita. (Source: Hotline 7/12)
- WA-Gov: Dina Rossi (R) who lost in 04 looks like a candidate in 08
- WV-02: GOP efforts to throw mud back fire on Capito
- For more info on the 08 electoral cycle, check The Right's Field, Election Central, Swing State Project, Senate 2008 Guru and 2008 Race Tracker.
- Donate to the DNC
- Donate to the Democratic Governors Association
- Donate to the DLCC: Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee
- Act Blue
Calendar (subject to change)
Info via Hotline, The Note Futures, press releases, tips, etc.
- 7/15: WH briefing room reopens after renovations and asbestos removal.
- 7/16-24: Bill Clinton in Africa for Clinton Foundation projects.
- 7/17: Planned Parenthood Public Affairs Retreat & Roundtable. Elizabeth Edwards at 9am. Barack Obama at noon. Hillary Clinton speaks at time TBD.
- 7/18: WH compliance deadline on warrantless surveillance subpoenas.
- 7/23: CNN/YouTube/Google Dem debate in Charleston, SC
- 7/26: House Cmte on Oversight & Govt Reform hearing on US Embassy in Iraq construction delays and problems.
- 7/25-28: National Urban League conference in St. Louis, MO. Michael Bloomberg speaks on 7/25. Barak Obama, John Edwards and Hillary Clinton speak at candidates forum on 7/28.
Tidbits
Phil Donohue has made a documentary on Iraq. "Body of War" is getting buzz. It's pro Sen. Byrd and anti-everyone else. Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder wrote and performed songs for the film.
Bill Clinton's new book comes out 9/4... right around the time (Labor Day) that more people start paying attention to the 08 campaign. The book is titled "Giving: How Each of Us Can Change the World"
Maroon 5's Adam Levine and Hillary Clinton at dinner? Link
ex-Sen. Al D'Amato (R-NY) has turned 70. He and his wfie are expecting their first child next spring. Congrats, and who says Larry King isn't a role model?
Photos of Stephen Colbert throwing out a pint of Americone Dream at a minor league baseball game here. Article here. if you want Stephen Colbert images, you'll find plenty at WonkyEar
Guess Who
Kristin Gore drew on real life for her new book "Sammy's Hill." Link
There's also a continuing subplot involving New York Times reporter "Chick Wallrey," who "described everything the administration did in the darkest and most cynical terms." She is "short and rotund, with dyed black hair and raccoon eyes courtesy of heavy eyeliner." The press office posits that Wallrey is "deeply unhappy in her personal life" and "bitter towards everyone."
Who is this supposed to describe? Marc Ambinder thinks he knows, but isn't sharing. Is it Kit Seelye? MoDo? Ceci Connelly? Any other DC-ites want to take a guess? (I know MoDo is a red head, but maybe the black hair description is supposed to throw us off, lol.)
The Funnies
Via Hotline, About.com, press releases, etc.:
- Conan O'Brien: "President George W. Bush last week shocked many Americans by commuting a sentence: President George W. Bush this week shocked many Americans by completing a sentence"
- Leno: "Sen. John Edwards began what he's calling his poverty tour today. He's visiting people who have no money and no hope. His first stop: John McCain's campaign headquarters." (My fave joke of the week.)
- Leno, on McCain's FL co-chair offering sex to an undercover cop for $20: "How broke is the McCain camp?"
- Leno: "Speaking of hookers, I love this story. Today, family values conservative Republican Senator from Louisiana David Vitter admitted he has had sex with prostitutes. [...] Well you know what makes it especially hypocritical: apparently Vitter has been a strong opponent of same-sex marriage, but today explained that too. Apparently he's against having sex with the person you're married to." (Second fave joke of the week.)
- Letterman: "One thing I'll say for this guy from Louisiana, this David Vitter, at least he went to a professional and left the congressional pages alone"
- Leno: "Homeland Security Chief Michael Chertoff said today that he had a gut feeling that there would be another terrorist attack this summer. ... Now is that reliable? How do we know it's not just bad clams? It's like, 'False alarm. It was Long John Silver, we're gonna be fine.'"
Too bad, John Kerry didn't have as many funny quips back in 04
"I experimented with a number of things in college. Being a Republican wasn't one of them. Besides, going to Yale doesn't make you a Republican. Going to Bob Jones University makes you a Republican."
Title for this week's edition from CBS News' Brian Montopoli.
As usual, if you've got a tip, then, email me at newsie8200 AT yahoo DOT com.