Corzine camp slams Christie loan in new ad
(CNN) – New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine's campaign is staying on the attack, releasing a fresh negative ad that charges Republican rival Chris Christie has "one set of rules for himself, another for everyone else."
"While he was U.S. Attorney, Republican Chris Christie gave one of his subordinates a $46,000 loan. And even though it is required under federal and state laws, Christie never reported the loan. And never paid taxes on the interest he received," says the narrator in the 30-second spot.
"When he was caught, Christie said it was a 'mistake.' But he prosecuted people who did the same things. Chris Christie. One set of rules for himself. Another for everyone else."
Christie has denied any impropriety, calling the omission an inadvertent oversight, and telling reporters he plans to update his taxes and all other relevant filings.
Honore dismisses talk of Senate run
(CNN) – The general who led military relief efforts in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina is denying a report that he may challenge Louisiana Sen. David Vitter in 2010, calling it "speculation and rumors" Sunday.
Retired Lt. Gen. Russel Honore, now a CNN emergency preparedness analyst, said he is moving back to his home state. But "No one's talking to me about running for Senate," Honore said.
"That is a serious rumor that's got started that's created a lot of buzz," said Honore, who left the Army in 2008. But he said he has never declared a party affiliation, and any talk of a Senate run is "all about speculation and rumors."
Honore is best known for taking over a widely criticized relief effort after Katrina flooded most of New Orleans in August 2005. The city's mayor, Ray Nagin, famously described the cigar-chomping three-star general as a "John Wayne dude" who could "get some stuff done."
Cheney wrong on interrogation inquiry facts, Obama official says
WASHINGTON (CNN) – Former Vice President Dick Cheney had his facts wrong when he blasted Attorney General Eric Holder last week for launching an investigation into past CIA interrogation techniques, an administration official asserted Monday.
Holder's decision to review waterboarding and other enhanced interrogation techniques was politically motivated, Cheney claimed in remarks broadcast on FOX News Sunday. Cheney made clear in the interview, conducted last Friday, that he believes President Barack Obama directed Holder to launch the review in response to pressure from left-wing Democrats.
But the administration official, who asked not to be identified, said, "The attorney general made a determination independently, based on the facts and the law."
The official also objected to Cheney's statement that "the president is the chief law enforcement officer in the land."
Dancing with DeLay
Former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay and his dancing partner, Cheryl Burke, practice for his debut on this season of Dancing With The Stars, debuting in three weeks on ABC. (PHOTO CREDIT: ABC)
I'm 'slightly miffed' at Obama, Carville says
WASHINGTON (CNN) – A prominent Democrat who is also a Louisiana native said Sunday he was somewhat offended that President Obama has yet to pay a visit to New Orleans, a city trying to rebuild after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina four years ago.
“I’m a Democrat and this is a Democratic president. I would describe myself as slightly miffed that he hasn’t been down yet,” Democratic strategist and longtime Clinton ally James Carville said Sunday on CNN’s State of the Union, “but he says he’s coming down before the end of the year. And we’re hospitable people and we certainly will welcome him.”
Carville and his wife Mary Matalin, a Republican strategist and former Dick Cheney aide, moved their family to New Orleans in mid-2008.
“I can honestly say, . . . you can start to feel the progress now,” Carville said of the legendary city’s efforts to rebuild. “It’s a work in progress but there has been progress. I promise you that,” Carville also told CNN Chief National Correspondent John King.
Carville’s words were echoed by one of the Louisiana’s senators, Democrat Mary Landrieu.
FULL POST
POLITICAL HOT TOPICS: August 31, 2009
The CNN Washington Bureau’s morning speed read of the top stories making news from around the country and the world.
WASHINGTON/POLITICAL
For the latest political news: www.CNNPolitics.com.
CNN: As Kennedy laid to rest, a papal prayer request is revealed
Shortly before his death, Sen. Edward M. Kennedy wrote a letter to Pope Benedict XVI asking for the pontiff to pray for him as he struggled with an aggressive form of brain cancer, it was revealed at his graveside service Saturday evening.
CNN: Kennedy's gravesite opens to the public
The Arlington National Cemetery gravesite of Sen. Edward M. Kennedy opened to the public at 8 a.m. Sunday, a little less than 12 hours after he was buried.
CNN: Cheney: Justice review of interrogation methods is political
Former Vice President Dick Cheney said in an interview broadcast Sunday that the Justice Department's decision to review waterboarding and other enhanced interrogation techniques is politically motivated.
CNN: Analysis: Dick Cheney's claims reopen 'waterboarding' debate
Former Vice President Dick Cheney on Sunday said his claim that enhanced interrogation techniques - including waterboarding - produced critical post-9/11 information was supported by a pair of intelligence reports released last week.
CNN: Dem on CIA probe: 'No one is above the law'
A week before Congress returns from its August recess, there are already signs that a recently announced Justice Department investigation into the CIA’s harsh interrogation techniques of terrorism suspects will be a source of tension between Democrats and Republicans on Capitol Hill.
CNN: Tea Party Express cruises through Nevada
Hundreds of people turned out for a series of weekend events as the Tea Party Express cruised across northern Nevada.
CNN: 'I would tend not to' support the public option, says Landrieu
A moderate Senate Democrat who is a possible swing vote in Republicans’ favor on health care reform said Sunday she is not likely to support a robust public health insurance option and believes that reform proposals should focus on lowering health care costs.
I'm 'slightly miffed' at Obama, Carville says
WASHINGTON (CNN) – A prominent Democrat who is also a Louisiana native said Sunday he was somewhat offended that President Obama has yet to pay a visit to New Orleans, a city trying to rebuild after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina four years ago.
“I’m a Democrat and this is a Democratic president. I would describe myself as slightly miffed that he hasn’t been down yet,” Democratic strategist and longtime Clinton ally James Carville said Sunday on CNN’s State of the Union, “but he says he’s coming down before the end of the year. And we’re hospitable people and we certainly will welcome him.”
Carville and his wife Mary Matalin, a Republican strategist and former Dick Cheney aide, moved their family to New Orleans in mid-2008.
“I can honestly say, . . . you can start to feel the progress now,” Carville said of the legendary city’s efforts to rebuild. “It’s a work in progress but there has been progress. I promise you that,” Carville also told CNN Chief National Correspondent John King.
Carville’s words were echoed by one of the Louisiana’s senators, Democrat Mary Landrieu.
FULL POST
Tea Party Express cruises through Nevada
ELY, Nevada (CNN) - Hundreds of people turned out for a series of weekend events as the Tea Party Express cruised across northern Nevada.
The caravan of tour buses, RVs, cargo trucks and SUVs kicked off a cross-country tour Friday in Sacramento, California, and plans on holding events in 33 cities en route to Washington, D.C. for what organizers hope will be a big rally on September 12.
The tour is being funded by Our Country Deserves Better, a conservative political action committee.
The tea party movement gained momentum this year; several parties were held across the country this summer to protest President Barack Obama and the Democrats' economic stimulus plans, among other things.
On July 4, nearly 2,000 advocates, toting signs and chanting slogans, rallied outside Congress. Activists said the TEA Party Day - an acronym for "Taxed Enough Already" - was in response to runaway government spending. But now, the focus is on health care reform, an issue that has brought about demand for bigger, more encompassing debate throughout the country and in Congress.
At an event Saturday in Winnemucca, Nevada, Carolyn Rowe came to the tea party in a T-shirt depicting Obama as the joker from "Batman." In place of the familiar "Hope" logo of Obama's campaign was the word "Joke."
She says she is concerned about the number of so-called "czars" in the Obama administration and she fears losing her choice of doctor if health care reform passes.
"I believe he's trouncing the Constitution and taking control of our country in a direction we don't want," says Rowe, from beneath a wide brimmed straw hat. "I think he has a hidden agenda, and I think he doesn't tell the truth and that in itself bothers me."
Husband-and-wife team Barbara and Pete Jones drove up from Reno, Nevada. Barbara's red T-shirt said "Impeach Everyone," but she said Obama is first on her list.
FULL POST
Kennedy's gravesite opens to the public
Visitors lined up Sunday at Arlington National Cemetery to pay their respects to the late Sen. Ted Kennedy, a day after the Massachusetts senator was buried not far from his two slain brothers. (Photo Credit: Getty Images)
WASHINGTON (CNN) - The Arlington National Cemetery gravesite of Sen. Edward M. Kennedy opened to the public at 8 a.m. Sunday, a little less than 12 hours after he was buried.
Related: Kennedy sought pontiff's prayers
His brothers, President John F. Kennedy and Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, are buried a few hundred feet away in the sprawling cemetery in Virginia. The gravesite is identical to that of his brother Robert. It features a two-and-a-half-foot white cross and a marble marker, which reads "Edward Moore Kennedy 1932-2009."
A temporary ropeline was set up for people to approach the gravesite and pay their respects, but there are plans to build a walkway in the future. Several flowers and cards were left by visitors in the hours following the opening of the site.
A cemetery official said the site would be closing Sunday afternoon for an expected visit from Victoria Ann Reggie Kennedy, the senator's widow.
–CNN's David de Sola contributed to this report.
Dem on CIA probe: 'No one is above the law'
WASHINGTON (CNN) – A week before Congress returns from its August recess, there are already signs that a recently announced Justice Department investigation into the CIA’s harsh interrogation techniques of terrorism suspects will be a source of tension between Democrats and Republicans on Capitol Hill.
“This investigation is very appropriate,” Democratic Sen. Maria Cantwell of Washington said Sunday on CNN’s State of the Union, “No one is above the law. This is not a political process. This is a legal process. It’s a legal process to find out whether the law was broken.”
Cantwell was answering Republican criticism – most notably from former Vice President Dick Cheney - that the recent decision by Attorney General Eric Holder to open an investigation into CIA interrogations was politically motivated and runs the risk of making the spy agency timid in tracking down terrorists who intend to do the country harm.
Related: CIA probe is political, Cheney says
“They’re making it so the people at the CIA are afraid to do anything,” said Republican Sen. Orrin Hatch, who sits on the Senate Intelligence Committee. “Frankly, it’s gone way too far,” Hatch told CNN Chief National Correspondent John King.
FULL POST
From CNN Politics
- Congress delays Homeland Security showdown February 28, 2015 03:05 am
- What happens if DHS shuts down? February 27, 2015 11:05 pm
- Hill fight features rumblings of Boehner coup February 28, 2015 03:27 am
- 12 key moments of CPAC February 27, 2015 10:22 pm
- Bush survives -- and thrives -- at CPAC February 28, 2015 12:08 am
- Republicans rally, attack Clinton February 27, 2015 10:35 pm
Recent Comments