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Home > Window on Washington > Archives > 2008 > March
March 2008
McCain returns to The High School
GOP presidential candidate John McCain returns to his high school (Episcopal in Alexandria, Virginia) tomorrow as he continues a week-long tour of places important in his life.
That’s his senior picture (class of ‘54) at the right.
FYI, Episcopal is the oldest high school in Virginia (established 1839, and no, McCain was not in the first graduating class) and folks affiliated with it call it “The High School” because at one time it was the one and only high school in Virginia.
Statistic: No girls until 1991.
Here’s what it said in the yearbook about him:
“It was three fateful years ago that the ‘Punk’ first crossed the threshold of The High School. In this time he has become infamous as one of our top-flight wrestlers, lettering for two seasons. His magnetic personality has won for him many life-long friends. John is remarkable for the amount of gray hair he has; this may come from his cramming for Annapolis or from his nocturnal perambulations. The Naval Academy is his future abode - we hope he will prosper there.”
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Dems: Send money, now
Today’s the deadline for the current political contribution period. One way to tell: The urgent appeals are rolling in from Democrats e-mailing for dollars.
Below, some examples from the past few days.
Saturday, from former President Clinton on behalf of his wife and in an e-mail entitled “Not big on quitting”:
“Here’s the most important thing you need to know about this race: It’s neck-and-neck. … But now we’re hearing people - elected officials, party members and Obama campaign surrogates - call for for Hillary to pull out. With the race this close, it sure doesn’t make sense to me that she’d leave now. Does it make sense to you?”
“There’s no better way to tell Hillary that you support her staying in than to make a contribution to her campaign - and no better time to contribute than right now. We’re facing a big deadline on Monday. Our opponents and the media will scrutinize our fundraising reports and look for any sign of weakness. By making a contribution today, you can help make sure we show nothing but strength.”
On Sunday, this from superdelegate Donna Brazile on behalf of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee;
“With a critical March 31st deadline approaching, we have to make sure GOP money and mean-spiritedness don’t block our path to progress. Right now, that means taking on renegade GOP attack groups ready to drag our candidates down any way they can. … We cannot allow Republican smear groups to snatch another victory from the jaws of defeat by spreading fear and lies. We must be prepared to fight back. … Support our candidates. Make a matching gift donation before the March 31st deadline.”
And this today from Clinton backer Paul Begala on behalf of the DCCC:
“Wanted to get your attention quickly. Midnight tonight is the first FEC deadline since Republicans have minted John ‘In Iraq Indefinitely’ McCain as their candidate. With GOP attack groups stockpiling money and preparing no-holds-barred assaults on our candidates, the DCCC is swinging into action to show their strength.”
“Our goal: to raise $5 million to support Democratic House candidates before we hit the critical March 31st deadline. We have just $55,000 left to reach our goal before the deadline at midnight tonight. Can you help us by making a gift at www.dccc.org/march?”
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Three for 10 bucks
Down the block from the home that two of them want to move into - and one of them wants to move back into - you can get a bargain on presidential candidate t-shirts.
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Bush won’t pitch to catcher named in Mitchell Report
The Washington Nationals have avoided a potentially dicey opening-night situation by selecting Manager Manny Acta (right), instead of starting catcher Paul Lo Duca, to catch the ceremonial first pitch from President Bush on Sunday night. Nats’ third baseman Ryan Zimmerman also will participate in the ceremony.
The big event will mark the opening of the Nationals’ new stadium near downtown DC.
Lo Duca was a potential problem because he was named 37 times in the Mitchell Report that documented steroid and human growth hormone use by major leaguers. See item below entitled “Bush to pitch to substance abuser?”
White House spokesman Scott Stanzel says the decision was made by the Nationals, with no input from the administration. Bush has been an outspoken critic of abuse of performance-enhancing substances by ballplayers.
“That was the decision that was made by the Nationals,” says Stanzel. “The president has thrown (previous ceremonial first pitches) to starting catchers, backup catchers and to managers before. It varies from team to team.”
Did Bush object to throwing to Lo Duca?
“The president was happy to throw out the first pitch to whoever the Nationals selected,” Stanzel says.
MLB.com reports this response from Lo Duca: “I’m not mad at all.”
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McCain to “introduce himself to the nation”
You may already have heard about him a time or two, but an Arizona GOP senator named John McCain is embarking on a tour his campaign said will “introduce himself to the nation through a series of speeches and visits that trace the life of a man indebted to his nation, humbled by the opportunity to serve his country, honored by his family’s love and deeply moved by his fellow Americans’ courage and sacrifice.”
The “Service to America” tour starts Monday in Mississippi. On Tuesday, McCain will be at Episcopal High School in Alexandria, Virginia, his alma mater. Wednesday also is alma mater day, with a speech at the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, as well as an event in Pensacola
Jacksonville on Thursday and Prescott, Arizona on Saturday.
McCain also is out with his first TV ad of the general election campaign. It’s called “624787” and will air in New Mexico, which his campaign identifies as an “important battleground state.” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-QYIP7o2-A; http://johnmccain.com/service/
The number in the ad’s name was McCain’s official military ID while he was a POW in Vietnam.
“John McCain,” says the narrator on the ad. “The American president Americans have been waiting for.”
Apparently not all Americans, according to the first three comments added on YouTube - that great bastion of anonymous free speech - after the campaign posted the ad:
“If you want the Iraq war to last another 100 years - wasting literally trillions of dollars - then vote for McCain.”
“McCain is awesome, he is a lot better than those annoying Democrats!”
“Yea, McCain is a tough guy. He didn’t hesitate whether to drop napalm on innocent civilians or not. So be careful what you wish for America.”
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Texas: The never-ending contest
The Hillary Clinton campaign has an e-mail going around today reminding folks that Texas, where voting occurred March 4, is still in play thanks to the caucus/convention portion of the delegate-awarding process.
The county conventions are Saturday, as the Clinton campaign notes in the e-mail that says “this race is as much about winning delegates as it is about winning states - and we need your help to get the maximum number of delegates out of Texas.”
And, the campaign says, here’s where you come in, whether you live in Texas or one of the lesser states.
“We need to make sure each and every delegate we earned on March 4 goes to their county conventions this weekend. You’ve done so much for the campaign and for Hillary. We can’t stop now. Can we count on your help for one volunteer shift between now and March 29 to help us make calls into Texas?”
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Bush to pitch to substance abuser?
Here’s the potential dilemma. How would you handle it?
Hall of Fame baseball player George W. Bush (Little League Hall of Fame. You can look it up.) will throw the ceremonial first pitch Sunday at Nationals Park, new home of the Washington Nationals. The game will be nationally televised.
Bush has been an outspoken critic of steroid and substance abuse by baseball players. His name came up once in the Mitchell Report that documented the widespread abuse of performance enhancing substances by baseball players.
“In his January 2004 State of the Union address, President George W. Bush denounced the use of steroids in elite sports and called on athletes, owners, and unions to address the issue,” the report noted.
The Nationals’ starting catcher - and hence a natural choice to catch the cermonial first pitch - is expected to be Paul Lo Duca.
Lo Duca’s name comes up 37 times in the Mitchell Report, which said a former Mets clubhouse assistant who has acknowledged providing substance-enhancing drugs to players “estimated that he engaged in six or more transactions with Lo Duca.”
So here’s the potential opening-night visual: The president who is concerned about substance abuse in baseball winds up and throws the ceremonial pitch to a catcher linked to substance abuse. It’s all smiles and happiness as president and catcher pose for the post-pitch photo.
Would you call for somebody else to handle the ceremonial catching chore?
For the record, there is precedent for Bush throwing to somebody other than the home-team catcher. In Milwaukee in 2001, Bush threw to then-Brewers Manager Davey Lopes. At the post-9/11 World Series in New York he threw to Yankee backup catcher Todd Greene. In April 2006, Bush threw to Reds’ backup catcher Jason La Rue.
His two other ceremonial pitches went to the home-team starting catchers: the Cardinals’ Mike Matheny in April 2004 and the Nationals’ Brian Schneider in April 2005.
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White House press corps off target
Posted anonymously in the men’s bathroom in the White House press room.
A source familiar with the women’s bathroom reports there is no similar problem in their facility.
“We don’t misfire,” said the source.
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The president’s day (the update)
This just in re the president’s meeting with the champion fishermen (see item below) Alton Jones of Waco and Judy Wong of Many, Louisiana.
“I thought it was important to welcome these champs here to the White House, you know, to encourage people to fish,” Bush said. “There’s nothing better than fishing. … This is a good, clean sport. It’s a sport that requires good conservation in order to make sure our fisheries are good, and I love to welcome the champs here.”
Jones, who has fished with Bush, said the president “is actually a very good fisherman and a great conservationist. And I’m really not sure who’s working who here. I’m hoping to get an invite to fish on his lake in Crawford and he’s looking for a free fishing guide.”
“I’m a good fisherman,” Bush said. “Sometimes I’m a good catcherman.”
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The president’s day
This is about as eclectic as it gets in presidentdom. Today’s schedule for President Bush includes fishermen (fisherpersons?) and royalty, Greeks and wealthy/generous Republicans.
“I hope I can get through this without laughing,” Press Secretary Dana Perino said when she got to the fishing portion of the daily schedule. “There’s a lot of puns that can be made out of that.”
A few were. None worth reporting.
Today’s schedule for President Bush:
10:40 a.m.: The president participates in a photo opportunity with the 2008 Bassmaster Classic Champion and the 2008 Women’s Bassmaster Tour Champion.
11:10 a.m.: The president meets with the King of Bahrain. (This includes lunch. No word on whether that means fresh bass courtesy of the bassmasters.)
3:45 p.m.: The president makes remarks at celebration of Greek Independence Day.
6:45 p.m.: The president attends a National Republican Senatorial Committee reception.
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Ex-presidents summoned to White House for high-level talks
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Bush: Nearing the finish line
President Bush, who often says he is sprinting to the finish line as his administration moves toward its conclusion, addressed the crowd at today’s Easter Egg Roll on the White House South Lawn.
“Pretty soon after a few remarks,” he told the crowd. “I have the honor of blowing the whistle to start the Easter Egg Roll.”
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Bush and Greta
It’s Easter Egg Roll day at the White House, always a festive event.
Take a look as President Bush, filled with the spirit of the event, shows his affection for Fox News’ Greta Van Susteren as he heads back to the Oval Office.
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March Madness hits White House
March Madness infiltrated the White House today, courtesy of the friendly press staff that allowed the monitors in the briefing room - usually reserved for important graphics with important statements - to be used to watch first-round games in the NCAA college basketball tournament.
In between their assignments du jour, assorted members of the press corps - mostly TV technical types - enjoyed the action.
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Thanks, Trek man
That’s the president with his Trek mountain bike (actually it’s not his current Trek mountain bike, which is painted in Air Force One colors).
And here’s the Trek endorsement the president offered today at the White House kickoff of a national physical fitness program:
“I’m honored to be joined by members of the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. And today I’ve got an announcement to make as to how to encourage our fellow citizens to exercise more. First, I do want to thank the chairman of this council, John Burke. His business is to make mountain bikes, Trek mountain bikes. I use Trek mountain bikes. That’s not why he’s the chairman.”
“If you ride mountain bikes, make sure you keep your eyes on the road, because sometimes you can go over the handlebars, which I have done.”
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POTUS and the QB
That’s President Bush doing the throw-it-to-me pose as Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning looks on during a White House event today.
Manning was on hand to lend his celebrity as Bush announced the National President’s Challenge, a physical fitness effort aimed at getting folks to exercise.
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McCain and melanoma
This today from the Melanoma Research Foundation:
“It is unfortunate that it takes the diagnosis of a public figure, in this case presidential candidate Senator John McCain, to raise awareness about melanoma.”
“The Melanoma Research Foundation does not support political candidates; however, this brings to light a bigger issue - melanoma and the ability to live and work after being diagnosed. It is important to dispel the myths and encourage people to know the risks for developing melanoma.”
“Melanoma is a serious condition- the most deadly form of skin cancer and the fastest growing cancer in the U.S. and worldwide - and can strike people of all ages, races and both sexes. In fact, with a one in 50 lifetime risk of developing melanoma, this year more than 62,000 are expected to be diagnosed in the U.S. with the disease, resulting in an estimated 8,400 deaths. While melanoma should not be taken lightly, it is often treatable when discovered in the early stages.”
“There is a real dichotomy around melanoma diagnosis. On the one hand, early stage melanoma can be successfully removed by a dermatologist and monitored by regular skin screenings, while, on the other hand, the disease is deadly in its most advanced stages. For this reason, the MRF strives to convey the importance of prevention and early diagnosis, while working diligently to help fund research that may lead to an effective treatment and possible cure of malignant melanoma.”
“It’s important to know the risk factors such as fair skin, personal and family history, weakened immune system, severe sunburns—especially while young—and exposure to ultraviolet radiation. You should limit your sun exposure, get screened, and consult a dermatologist right away about any changes in your skin or moles.”
The president at the Pentagon
President Bush heads to the Pentagon on Wednesday for a speech marking the fifth anniversary of the war in Iraq.
According to a White House preview, Bush will:
Recall the liberation of Iraq five years ago, and reiterate his pride in the men and women who carried what he believes to be a remarkable military achievement.
Discuss the progress of the war over the past five years, acknowledge that things were not going well at the end of 2006, and talk about the decision to surge more troops into Baghdad and Anbar to help secure the populations and go after extremists so that the Iraqis could make political and economic progress.
Provide an update on the progress on the ground in Iraq. He will recognize that the cost of the war has been high - but argue that it has been necessary to protect our people and make for a safer, more free Middle East, and that U.S.-led forces must prevail.
Talk about the heroism and courage shown by the men and women who wear the uniform.
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Paulson: I’m outta here
When it’s time to go, it’s time to go. And although reporters still had some questions about the economic news of the day, Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson decided it was time to go after taking a handful of questions today after he met with President Bush at the White House.
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Sir Elton John performs for Hillary
Sir Elton John will perform April 9 at New York’s Radio City Music Hall to raise money for Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign.
The event was announced today by the Clinton campaign in a news release including this comment from Sir Elton:
“I’m not a politician but I believe in the work that Hillary Clinton does. I’m excited to support Hillary by performing at what will be a truly memorable night.”
It’s a solo show and will go by the name: “Elton and Hillary: One Night Only.”
Ticket information is at HillaryClinton.com. Prices start at $125 for mezzanine seats and $250 for orchestra seats.
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Clinton: It takes more than words to end the war
Hillary Clinton, again, is planning to raise the heat on Barack Obama. Here’s a Clinton campaign memo distributed to reporters this morning in advance of Clinton’s Iraq policy speech in Washington:
To: Interested Parties From: The Clinton Campaign Date: March 17, 2008 RE: Just Words for Five Years
Over the last few weeks, the question of who is most ready to be Commander-in-Chief has rightfully dominated the presidential campaign. Who is ready to take the 3 a.m. call? Who has a record of action on national security issues? Who is ready to be president on day one?
Senator Clinton has worked to answer these questions by presenting her record to voters and enabling them to judge her based on the record she has amassed during her 35 years of public service - as a first lady who traveled to 82 countries and as a U.S. Senator who sits on the Armed Services Committee.
Lacking a comparable record, Senator Obama has premised his campaign on just words, most notably the resounding speech he delivered in October 2002 against the Iraq war.
But with the fifth anniversary of the invasion upon us, the onus is now on Senator Obama to demonstrate what he did to act on that 2002 speech when he got to the U.S. Senate.
Hillary has long argued that what matters in this campaign isn’t what we’ve said but what we’ve done. Are words backed with action?
This week, the Clinton Campaign will continue to discuss which candidate is ready to be Commander-in-Chief on day one. We will urge Senator Obama to show that he hasn’t simply amassed five years of words, that his record on ending the war is one of action.
Senator Obama gave an anti-Iraq speech in 2002 that he removed from his website in 2003, calling it “dated.” When he got to the Senate, Senator Obama failed to take advantage of the opportunity provided by his new position and did little to turn his words into action until he became a White House candidate. In fact, he voted for over $300 billion in funds for the war and waited 18 months to speak on the Senate floor about Iraq, delivering a speech AGAINST the Kerry amendment that set a hard deadline for withdrawal.
When he took over the subcommittee that oversees NATO and Afghanistan and had a chance to follow up on the part of his 2002 speech that argued that Iraq diverted attention from Afghanistan, he failed to hold a single hearing. And as a candidate, he regularly touts a plan to set a hard end date for Iraq that has now been dismissed by one of his foreign policy advisers as just words.
Voters need to know whether they can count on their candidates to act on the ideas they tout on the stump. While Senator Clinton has acted on the words she uses on the campaign trail, Senator Obama’s words aren’t backed by action.
At the end of the day, the true test for a president is not the speeches he or she delivers - it’s whether he or she delivers on the speeches.
McCain worries about election season attacks
GOP presidential candidate John McCain told supporters in Pennsylvania today that he’s worried about al-Qaeda offensives timed to coincide with and impact the November election.
The comments came in response to a question at a McCain town hall meeting at a country club in suburban Philadelphia.
“Yes, I worry about it,” he said of increased al-Qaeda attacks in Iraq in weeks leading up to the election. “And I know they pay attention because of the intercepts we have of their communications. … The hardest thing in warfare is to counter someone or a group of individuals who are willing to take their own lives in order to take others.”
McCain said he is concerned that extremist groups “might be able to carry out some spectacular suicide attacks, but we do have them on the run.”
“To think they are not capable of orchestrating really strong attacks as they did over the last few days …. is, I think, an underestimation of the enemy,” McCain said.
McCain’s Friday campaign event came on the 35th anniversary of his release from a prisoner of war camp in Vietnam.
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Doggett and Austin locals talk renewable energy
Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin, facilitated a briefing this morning at the U.S. Capitol about renewable energy policy. It was hosted by the Council on Competitiveness.
Doggett welcomed two guests from Austin. The first was renewable energy consultant Jake Stewart, who is the vice president of a biodiesel fuels company. The second was Joel Serface, the director of the Austin Clean Energy Incubator.
Below are a couple of clips of Serface’s discussion of the renewable-energy climates in Texas and Austin.
Doggett briefly facilitated a Q&A session after the panel spoke, and his first question was fielded first by Mike Eckhart, the president of Solar International Management Inc.
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Bush: ‘Fairness Doctrine’ unfair
In Nashville today, during a speech to the National Religious Broadcasters Convention, President Bush said there’s nothing fair about the so-called “Fairness Doctrine” that once required broadcasters to offer air time for competing ideologies.
The FCC got rid of it about 20 years ago. Now, some Democrats in Congress - long the target of popular conservative radio talk-show hosts - think it’s time to bring it back.
Perish the thought, Bush told the religious broadcasters in the following passage that ends with a veto promise.
“This organization has had many important missions, but none more important than ensuring our airways - America’s airways - stay open to those who preach the ‘Good News.’ The very first amendment to our Constitution includes the freedom of speech and the freedom of religion. Founders believed these unalienable rights were endowed to us by our Creator. They are vital to a healthy democracy, and we must never let anyone take those freedoms away.”
” I mention this because there’s an effort afoot that would jeopardize your right to express your views on public airways. Some members of Congress want to reinstate a regulation that was repealed 20 years ago. It has the Orwellian name called the Fairness Doctrine. Supporters of this regulation say we need to mandate that any discussion of so-called controversial issues on the public airwaves includes equal time for all sides. This means that many programs wanting to stay on the air would have to meet Washington’s definition of balance. Of course, for some in Washington, the only opinions that require balancing are the ones they don’t like.”
“We know who these advocates of so-called balance really have in their sights: shows hosted by people like Rush Limbaugh or James Dobson, or many of you here today. By insisting on so-called balance, they want to silence those they don’t agree with. The truth of the matter is, they know they cannot prevail in the public debate of ideas. They don’t acknowledge that you are the balance … The country should not be afraid of the diversity of opinions. After all, we’re strengthened by diversity of opinions.”
“If Congress truly supports the free and open exchange of ideas, then there is a way they can demonstrate that right now. Republicans have drafted legislation that would ban reinstatement of the so-called Fairness Doctrine. Unfortunately, Democratic leaders in the House of Representatives have blocked action on this bill. So in response, nearly every Republican in the House has signed onto what’s called a ‘discharge petition,’ that would require Congress to hold an up or down vote on the ban. Supporters of this petition are only 24 signatures away.”
“I do want to thank (Indiana Rep.) Mike Pence, who is with us today, and Congressman Greg Walden (of Oregon), for pressing this effort and defending the right for people to express themselves freely. And I urge other members to join in this discharge petition. But I’ll tell you this: If Congress should ever pass any legislation that stifles your right to express your views, I’m going to veto it.”
The McCain bandwagon: Not all aboard, yet
On an almost daily basis, the after-the-fact endorsements of John McCain keep coming from GOP leaders.
But it’s not unanimous, and four of the nation’s 22 Republican governors have yet to sign on with the man who will be their party’s presidential nominee.
The list: Alaska’s Sarah Palin, Idaho’s Butch Otter, Nebraska’s Dave Heineman and South Dakota’s Mike Rounds.
There’s a story with each.
Rounds was chairman of Mike Huckabee’s national steering committee and remained a top backer of the former Arkansas governor’s campaign through the primary season.
Soon, perhaps this week, Rounds will endorse McCain, according to Mitch Krebs, the South Dakota governor’s spokesman.
Things are a bit more complicated with Nebraska’s Heineman, who has a bit of a history with McCain.
Jen Rae Heim, Heineman’s press secretary, said today her boss, a former Mitt Romney backer who called the former Massachusetts governor “the only candidate who can bring true conservative chance to Washington, has no plans to endorse any presidential candidate “in the near future.”
Here’s the Heineman-McCain history: In 2006, Heineman - a former lieutenant governor who got the top job in 2005 when Mike Johanns resigned to become agriculture secretary - was challenged in the GOP primary by then-Rep. Tom Osborne, the former Nebraska Cornhusker football coach.
McCain, in an unusual move, got involved in the GOP primary battle by backing Osborne. Heineman won.
Does McCain’s ‘06 endorsement of Osborne have anything to do with the lack of an endorsement, so far, from Heineman?
“No,” says spokeswoman Hein.
Idaho’s Otter has said nothing about a GOP presidential nominee.
“He is just keeping that to himself,” said Jon Hanian, Otter’s spokesman.
Alaska’s Palin has issued no formal endorsement though she has been on lists of potential McCain running mates. She met with McCain in Washington recently during the National Governors Association meeting. Palin recently confirmed she is pregnant with her fifth child.
Also not yet on the McCain bandwagon: Texas Rep. (and apparently still presidential candidate) Ron Paul, who told supporters in a recent video that “victory in the conventional political sense is not available in the presidential race.”
Here are highlights of Paul’s attempt today on CNN to explain whether that means he is no longer a presidential candidate.
“No. It’s not over. It is certainly winding down. There are a lot less primaries left. Super Tuesday has passed, and McCain has the nominal number.”
And he says he will campaign in Pennsylvania and other upcoming GOP primary states.
Will he support McCain as the party’s nominee?
“I’m not likely to support John McCain unless he changes his views. I mean he doesn’t represent anything I’ve talked about for 30 years.”
White House: Perry’s written a book?
Texas Gov. Rick Perry has attracted a fair bit of attention for his recently published book, “On My Honor: Why the American Values of the Boy Scouts Are Worth Fighting For.”
Word about the book, however, apparently has not made it to the White House.
From today’s White House briefing by Press Secretary Dana Perino:
Q: Governor Rick Perry of Texas has just written a new book entitled, “On My Honor: Why the American Values of the Boy Scouts Are Worth Fighting for.” And my question: Does the former governor of Texas, who is now president, agree or disagree with this title?
PERINO: I don’t know if he’s even aware of the book.
Huckabee: Pray for jobs
Former Arkansas Gov. and former pastor Mike Huckabee, now also a former presidential candidate, is staying in touch with supporters by way of a blog on his former campaign website.
His current entry seeks prayers for ex-staffers seeking jobs.
“One of my immediate concerns is for our incredible staff,” Huckabee wrote. “Pray for them that they will all find good jobs soon. Many gave up very good careers to come to work for us at a fraction of their salaries. They have worked 20-hour days for months without rest or vacation. One of my priorities is to make sure they land on their feet.”
Hey Cheney, bring us a t-shirt
The vice president’s office says the president “has asked the vice president” to head overseas on Sunday.
The trip announced today will include stops in Oman, Saudi Arabia, Israel, the West Bank and Turkey. The assignment is “discussions with these key partners on issues of mutual interest.”
Those mutually interesting topics will be discussed at meetings with Sultan Qaboos of Oman, King Abdullah of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Prime Minister Olmert of Israel, President Abbas and Prime Minister Fayyad of the Palestinian Territories, President Gul and Prime Minister Erdogan of Turkey “as well as senior officials of their respective governments.”
President Bush will return to the Middle East in May for several stops. Bush’s 2008 travel itinerary also will include two European trips, two Asian trips and a visit to Latin America.
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You say recession, I say slowdown
The Labor Department says employers deep-sixed 63,000 jobs last month, the most in five years and, for some, a sure sign that recession is here or imminent.
But the Labor Department also says the unemployment rate dipped to 4.8 percent, down from January’s 4.9 percent, as people went to school, retired or in some other way left the workforce.
Disappearing jobs, but a declining unemployment rate. Let the spinning begin.
“People talk recession,” said White House Deputy Press Secretary Tony Fratto said. “I don’t know that there’s ever been a recession with a 4.8 percent unemployment rate.”
“Recession,” says Fratto, “is a technical term.”
“Regardless of what you call it, we are clearly in a period of a slowdown in economic growth,” he said, adding, “The question isn’t what do you call it. The important thing is what are you doing about it. We’ve been aggressively dealing with the slowdown with the stimulus package, the economic growth package that passed very quickly in Congress in February.”
Whatever you want to call the current state of the nation’s economy, it’s not good, says Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, who wants to extend unemployment benefits.
“Today’s dismal jobs new should put to rest any doubts that our economy is in deep trouble. We have now seen two straight months of job loss, and the 63,000 decline in February is the worst since March of 2003. This troubling news comes at the end of a week where oil topped $104 a barrel and we learned that home foreclosures hit an all time high in the fourth quarter of 2007,” Clinton said in a statement.