Rudy Accuses Hillary And Obama Of Being "Anti-Troops"

In an interview with ABC News radio, Rudy Giuliani said that Hillary and Obama's votes against the no-withdrawal-timetables Iraq funding bill showed that they had "moved from being not just anti-war, but to being anti-troops." No response yet from either Dem.

Intelligence Committee: Administration Ignored Warnings That Iraq Would Turn Out Badly

By a 10-5 vote — Eight Democrats plus Republicans Olympia Snowe and Chuck Hagel — the Senate Intelligence Committee has issued a report accusing the Bush Administration of ignoring warnings from the nation's spy agencies in 2003 that Iraq could degenerate in the wake of a U.S. invasion, creating a situation ultimate benefitting Al-Qaeda and Iran. In his dissent, the committee's head Republican Kit Bond said the committee "has become too embroiled in politics and partisanship to produce an accurate and meaningful report."

Several White House Candidates Didn't Read The NIE

Ben Smith reports that numerous Presidential candidates are now admitting they did not read the National Intelligence Estimate before voting on the Iraq War, but simply received briefings about it from the White House. The ones who have admitted to not personally readiing it: Hillary Clinton, John McCain and Chris Dodd — and they're the ones who have admitted to it so far. By contrast, Senators who did read the classified document included Jay Rockefeller (D-WV), Pat Roberts (R-KS) and Dick Durbin (D-IL).

Poll: In Kentucky, Fletcher Facing Landslide Defeat

In the first poll released since Tuesday's Kentucky primary, SurveyUSA has incumbent Governor Ernie Fletcher (R) losing in a landslide to the Democratic nominee, former Lt. Governor Steve Beshear, by a margin of 62%-34%. Interestingly, the poll shows that half of those who voted for Fletcher's two challengers in the Republican primary now intend to vote for Beshear.

Brownback: Religion Belongs In Public Life — But Not Theocracy

Sam Brownback told a group of Christian conservatives in Iowa that religious faith has an important role to play in politics: "I believe we should celebrate faith, not run it out of the public square." Brownback also stressed, however, that he is not advocating theocracy, the direct control of government policy by religious leaders. "I think it would be bad for religion," Brownback said. "I also think it would be bad for government."

Romney Loses Marsha Blackburn To Thompson

Mitt Romney has lost the endorsement of Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), a strong conservative who served as a national co-chair for the Romney campaign and now intends to join up with the expected campaign of fellow Tennessean Fred Thompson.

Edwards Proposes "Total Force GI Bill"

Presidential hopeful John Edwards proposed a number of policies to aid service members, including expanded health and other benefits and a "Military Families Advisory Board" at the Department of Defense. — T. W. Farnam

Key New Hampshire Legislator To Hold House Party With Biden

Joe Biden will be holding a house party in New Hampshire next Friday at the home of New Hampshire state Senator Lou D'Allesandro. A leading Democrat in the state legislature, supported John Edwards in the 2004 cycle. Is he playing the field this time?

Poll: Chambliss Potentially Vulnerable

A new survey from independent pollster Insider Advantage shows Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) potentially vulnerable to a challenge by former Governor Roy Barnes (D), edging Barnes by a mere 42%-40%. Barnes has not shown any interest in the race, was used as a baseline measurement for a well-known Democratic name. Barnes was defeated for re-election in 2002, the same year that Chambliss was elected to the Senate over one-term Democrat Max Cleland. The poll showed Chambliss beating current candidate Vernon Jones, the CEO of DeKalb County, by a wider 48%-31% margin.

Anti-War GOP'er Gilchrest Faces Primary Challenge

Congressman Wayne Gilchrest (R-MD), who has voted with the Democrats on war funding during this Congress, now has an opponent in the Republican primary. State Sen. Andy Harris, a Johns Hopkins obstetric anesthesiologist and a commander in the Naval Reserve, has formed an exploratory committee to challenge Gilchrest from the right, saying that "People across the country desire to return to the Reagan values that brought the Republican Party to power — fiscal responsibility, a strong national defense, traditional values and an optimistic view of this country and its role as a world leader.

Paccione To Run Again In Musgrave's District

Right-wing Congresswoman Marilyn Musgrave (R-CO) may be in for a rematch with her 2006 opponent, former state Rep. Angie Paccione. Paccione has announced that she will seek the Democratic nomination for a rematch, and has a new campaign Web site up. Currently there are two other Democrats seeking the nomination: State Sen. Brandon Shaffer, and ex-Republican Eric Eidsness, who served in the Reagan Administration and took 11% of the vote last year as the Reform Party candidate.

Fred Thompson Wows Connecticut Crowd With Jokes

Fred Thompson had a good reception at dinner for the Connecticut Republican Party last night, impressing the crowd with humor. On his 2002 retirement from the Senate, Thompson said, "After eight years in Washington, I longed for the sincerity of Hollywood." And when he told the audience that he had an important announcement to make, "Law & Order will return for an 18th season," a woman shouted back to him: "We need you for a different job!"

Video: Bird Defecates On Bush

Here it is — A YouTube of President Bush being struck by bird dung while taking a question about Attorney General Alberto Gonzales: