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By Mark Kilmer Posted in Special Features — Comments (25) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »

Sunday, July 29, 2007

It is late July. The shows reflected this, but my hat is off to Wolf Blitzer, who started his CNN show with ominous word of the sound of gunfire in Baghdad. We were allowed to listen live as the guns popped and cracked, then Blitzer happily informed us that this was a celebration. The Iraqi national soccer team had defeated the Saudis, 1-0, to win the championship of the Asian games.

On ABC's TW, Chuck Schumer said that they had no proof that Attorney General Alberto Gonzales did anything wrong, so they had better get a special prosecutor to find the proof they need. It's a political stunt. Senator Orrin Hatch understood this.

On FNS, we learned that Newt was a child in France when the Fourth Republic died. He thinks the current debate format serves no real purpose, the Republicans don't know how badly the system is broken, and the Dems are orbiting Neptune. He thinks Fred, Mitt, or Rudy will be a good nominee and will match up well against the eventual Dem ticket of Hillary/Obama.

On FNS, Russ Feingold said what Chuck said: we need a special prosecutor because we just know AGAG has done something wrong. AGAG is a "liar." Host Chris Wallace asked him if this were just a political stunt, and Russ said that this was the worst Administration in history and he wants out of Iraq.

On MTP, Tim Russert talked to a bunch of journalists who said in unison: "Now look here. This is my opinion."

On FTN, Pat Leahy called AGAG a liar and said he was giving AGAG one week to correct his lies, and then he'd better "contact an attorney." Arlen Specter said that he had no idea what the domestic surveillance program was because no one had told him. He demanded to know.

First up on LE, UN Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad thinks that if Prime Minister Maliki were to demand that President Bush replace General Petraeus, the President would tell him to get lost. He promised that the UNSC was working on another resolution against Iran and their President Borat.

Next on LE, Chuck Rangel vented and fumed that "it's all about oil, not WMD." He thinks Republicans are looking for an excuse to ditch Bush and vote with the Dems on Iraq, thus they are eager for Maliki to demand Petraeus's replacement. Chris Shays was dispassionate. The most remarkable thing he said was that he welcomed the Iraqi parliament's planned August vacation, as they need a time away from each other.

National Urban League President Marc Morial and former Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell talked about African Americans and the 2008 Presidential election. Only Mike Huckabee showed up at the Urban League convention in St. Louis, though Blackwell predicted that the nominee would speak at next year's convention. Morial said that Obama was not the only choice for African Americans.

Blitzer next talked to Roy Blunt and Jane Harman. Both expressed some concern with the behavior of the Saudi government and felt the Administration should make its case for the proposed weapons sale. Blitzer mentioned the Maliki-Hates-Petraeus story, and Blunt said that he'd be surprised if it amounted to anything. Harman added said that she doubted Petraeus had any real mission. She argued that the surge has failed and Blunt retorted that it had barely begun to take effect.

Read More for the show-by-show review…

SCHUMER VS. HATCH ON TW. George Stephanopoulos, host of ABC's This Week first spoke with Senator Chuckie Schumer and Senator Orrin Hatch. Schumer wants to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate Attorney General Alberto Gonzales (AGAG) for possible perjury. Schumer said that though he doesn't sit on the Intelligence Committee, Senators who do indicate to him that AGAG has committed perjury, despite a New York Times story which indicates that AGAG did not lie to the Senate.

Steph asked Senator Hatch if AGAG had a credibility problem, and the Senator defined perjury as knowing giving false information and said that no one has proven that. Steph shot back that House Republican Conference Chair Adam Putnam of Florida wants Gonzales to resign because he lacks cred. Hatch stated that Putnam is merely saying that AGAG has been "beaten up" by the press

Schumer said that a special prosecutor must be appointed in order to discover if AGAG is a criminal. He personally believes that AGAG lied, but he wants the special prosecutor to find the proof. So the Dems have nothing, but they want to have a politically damaging investigation by a politically damaging special prosecutor just to see if anything improper was done. That is a political stunt, Chuck.

BOB DOLE AND DONNA SHALALA ON TW. Bob Dole and Donna Shalala recently reported on medical care for our veterans. Dole says the problem he saw was the "bureaucracy in the outpatient" realm. Shalala said that they have to make the system "more patient-centric."

Lose the forms in triplicate, peeps.

NEWT ON FNS. Newt Gingrich was first on FOX News Sunday with Chris Wallace. He first complained about the process of Presidential debates, saying that it was "fundamentally broken." That it was demeaning to see candidates stand in line and wait to be asked whatever questions the talking head moderators felt would get the most laughs. (That was a paraphrase.) He said that the nation faces great problems and that the solution was to have debates like Lincoln-Douglas, where the candidates talked for three hours each. (Or perhaps something more comprehensive than snowmen seeking sound bytes about nothing of import.)

The Republicans, Newt said, do not understand the enormity of the failure of the system, while the Democrats are off in la-la land, proposing fantasies which would never operate in the real world.

Newt was a child in France when the Fourth Republic died and de Gaulle had to come back and make everything alright, he said. (De Gaulle is dead, as is Reagan, so I'm not sure of that for which he's searching.) He did point out that if you discuss facts in Washington, not the talking points your policy people have you memorize, and you are accused of being egocentric.

Newt said that Alberto Gonzales is a "liability to the U.S.," and everyone should get over which party is helped and which side is hurt and unite to get rid of him "for the good of the country."

Newt said that, yes, he had dinner with the Thompsons. It was a "nice dinner." He thinks Fred will be a "formidable candidate." He put Romney in the "top tier" with Giuliani and Thompson, and said that any of these three would be good against the eventual Dem ticket of Hillary/Obama '08. John McCain, he said, has taken positions too far in opposition to the GOP base to be a force in this race.

And Newt said that the left wing of the Democratic Party wants the United States to lose in Iraq, without a thought to our friends in Iraq who would be slaughtered if we left precipitously. He seemed to be trying to guilt the Dems into supporting the war, or more likely, painting the image of the mean-spirited Dems in the minds of viewers.

RUSS ON FNS. Next up for host Wallace was Senator Russ Feingold of Wisconsin. Of Iraq, Russ declared: "This disaster has to end." Wallace asked Russ if he'd listen to General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker if they reported in September that we could win in Iraq. Russ said he'd listen, but he'd heard enough from them to know that they'd be lying, spewing the White House line. He said he would listen to them, but that he would also listen to others. (This would include, I'm guessing, MoveOn.org activists, neo-hippies, and dKos bloggers.)

Wallace asked Russ about a special prosecutor for AGAG. Russ said we have to have one, as AGAG "lied to Congress and may have committed perjury." They do not have the proof, he said, but they need the special prosecutor to find proof for them.

The Administration wants to amend the FISA to permit surveillance of communications between terrorists in one foreign country and another foreign country, Wallace averred. Russ said he'd agree to that, but that is not what the Administration wants to do. Bush and the Bushies want to outrageously attack the "privacy of the American people," Russ announced. They start with benign things, he snapped, and then they "throw in the kitchen sink." And Russ is left with the broom and dustpan, I suppose.

Wallace asked Russ if there were a "smoking gun," and Russ said though there is no proof, he thinks the law was broken and his main concern is getting out of Iraq. He tried to talk of Iraq, and Wallace pushed him back to terrorist surveillance. Russ demanded "accountability." He said that he thinks the Administration has broken the law, but the Administration refuses to show him the evidence.

Wallace pointed out that the Dem Congress has done nothing, and he asked if the American people wouldn't think this call for a special prosecutor to be a "political stunt."

Russ countered that the Congress was doing lots of stuff, but they have to find out about the lies. This is the worst Administration in American history, Russ held. Congress must not let history record that they did nothing to stop the lawbreaking.

PAT LEAHY AND ARLEN SPECTER ON FTN. This week, host Bob Schieffer talked to Senators Pat Leahy and Arlen Specter on CBS' Face the Nation program. Schieffer stipulated that Leahy had given AGAG one week to correct his answered then asked Pat what if he doesn't. Leahy suggested that if he doesn't, AGAG "should consult a lawyer." He said that the DoJ is supposed to be impartial, but this is being shredded by AGAG's partisanship. He asked if President Bush "wants to go down in history" with a crook like Gonzales linked to his record.

Arlen said that AGAG should be given a chance "to correct the record," but he said that AGAG has to go and has never cooperated with him and with Leahy, and that the Judiciary Committee has never been told what the surveillance program was or if there were more than one.

Schieffer asked if this were just another "Washington argument," or if any of this really mattered to the American people. Specter ranted that it mattered because he thinks it does, and that the DoJ is second only to the DOD in protecting the American people. Leahy added that "this Administration thinks it's above the law." Leahy said that Senators are upset because "they know how the justice system is supposed to work."

Leahy wants the Administration "to admit that they've made bad mistakes in saying that 'we're above the law.'"

Leahy said that the Administration hasn't been telling the truth. He believes the guy who says that this is not how it happens. The "bottom line," Leahy said, is that the Administration has to follow the law.

Specter thinks it is premature to impeach AGAG. He said that no one has told him a thing about the surveillance program.

THE WEEK IN SPORTS ON FTN. Schieffer next had some serious sports journalists on to talk about the Tour de France on dope, Barry Bonds on dope, and Mike Vick's dog fights.

ZALMAY KHALILZAD ON LE. Blitzer first spoke to U.N. Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad, who said that the Iraqi soccer team was united, "unlike their government."

Wolf confronted Khalilzad over Prime Minister Nouri al Maliki's alleged antipathy for General David Petraeus, including the suggestion that Maliki might demand that Bush change generals. Khalilzad doesn't believe that he'll ask for Petraeus's removal, as he knows the general has the confidence of the President and is working for Iraq.

Wolf pointed out that Maliki is miffed because Petraeus is working with the Sunnis. Khalilzad said he had to deal with this when he was in Baghdad: winning over the Sunnis to the system of government. Zalmay stressed the importance of integrating the Sunnis in the government and "the fight against al Qaeda."

If Maliki actually did ask Bush to remove Petraeus, Khalilzad thinks Bush would tell Maliki to deal with it (my phrasing), as Petraeus has the confidence of the administration's confidence and is a "great leader."

Wolf played a clip of Mitch McConnell referring to the Iraqi government as an "embarrassment" and criticizing the Iraq parliament's August recess. Khalilzad said that he's heard that the political leaders for Iraq might get together these work to work on the sources of the violence and the political problems which divide them.

Khalilzad said that the Iraqis are aware of the frustration in Washington.

Wolf asked about Iraq's neighbors pursuing destabilizing policies, quoting a statement made by Khalilzad. Wolfe asked if Khalilzad meant Saudi, and Khalilzad said that the Saudis were not helping. Many things they did undermined the government.

Wolf quoted Iran's President Borat shrieking about people "being burned by the wrath of the region." He asked if the "international community" can come together and force Iran to stop its nuclear program. Khalilzad pointed out that the Iranians wanted to dominate the region and were violated UNSC resolutions. Right now, he said, we're in a "consultation process" with Russia and the PRC. And they are near ready to propose another resolution.

Khalilzad said that Darfur was a "very high priority, among the highest." He expects an agreement this week. (Blitzer pointed out that people were dying apace in Darfur.)

Blitzer said that he was glad Khalilzad was in New York rather than Baghdad, and he wished him luck with "those tribes at the United Nations."

RANGEL AND SHAYS ON LE. Wolf next spoke with Representatives Chuck Rangel and Chris Shays. He asked Rangel what would happen if Maliki asked for Petraeus to leave. Rangel answered that he would be the "Republicans' delight." The Republicans would be overjoyed that they had to pull Petraeus, as it would allow them to abandon Bush. Shays wants a plebiscite in Iraq on whether we should get out now, and the first sign that the Iraqis would us to leave would be if Maliki asks Petraeus to leave.

Rangel said that this has nothing to do with bipartisanship. If Maliki asks Bush to withdraw Petraeus, it would give Republicans the excuse they need to side with Democrats and get us out of Iraq.

Shays has a different take on the Iraq parliaments August vacation. He thinks the parliamentarians need the time off from talking to each other.

Rangel declared victory for the Dems and said that Shays would be among the first to admit the Republican mistake.

Rangel said, "Bush created al Qaeda and they are in Iraq." Blitzer got him to clarify that he meant al Qaeda in Iraq. "There were no WMD," he shouted.

Shays, who sits on the Homeland Security Committee, pointed out that Rangel was wrong in a lot of ways. He said that we can't abandon Iraq to Iran, as they would control 40% of the world's oil. Rangel said that "men and women are dying there while they are going on vacation and playing soccer" because of oil. "Forget about weapons of mass destruction," he snarled. "Forget al Qaeda." Bush is fighting this war for oil.

[commercial break]

Shays said that AGAG has not been truthful and he should resign. Rangel said that the real problem was the President of the United States "condoning this type of behavior." Shays brought up how Republicans go after Clinton and Democrats go after Bush, "while Rome burns." He accused the Democrats of being as bad in this Congress as Republicans were with Clinton. Rangel said that he would vote against impeaching Bush because Cheney is worse.

KEN BLACKWELL AND MARC MORIAL ON LE. Urban League President Marc Morial and former Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell were next on LE to discuss African Americans and politics. Morial criticized Giuliani, McCain, and Romney for not showing up to his organization's conference in St. Louis. (Mike Huckabee stopped by.) Blackwell said the candidate will be at the next meeting

ROY BLUNT AND JANE HARMAN ON LE. Blitzer next, at the top of the 12 o'clock hour, talked to House Republican Whip Roy Blunt and Democrat Congressperson Jane Harman, cheated of the House Intelligence Committee chair by an embittered Nancy.

Wolf told Roy Blunt that Roy Blunt supported the weapons sale to Saudi Arabia, and Roy Blunt agreed. He pointed out that there were a lot of problems with the Saudis who seemed not to understand what was going on. He said that the Administration has to convince Congress that there is a valid reason to sell these weapons to Saudi Arabians.

Harman hopes for a productive meeting between our peeps and the House of Saud, to get them to cooperate in a "two State solution." She thinks the House of Saud's record in Iraq is "mixed." She blamed Saudi Arabia for exporting al Qaeda. Blunt joined her in concern over the Saudi's record on terror.

Wolf asked Blunt about Maliki-hates-Petraeus, admitting for the first time that it comes only from the an AP story and that Petraeus's spokesman says that this is fabricated. Blitzer argued that it was true and that Maliki is ticked off that we're working with Sunni militias. Blunt said he'd be surprised if anything came of this. He's wont to believe Petraeus's spokesman over whomever in the Iraqi government says whatever. Harman said that the Iraqi government is failing. She opposes replacing General Petraeus but suspects that he may no longer have a mission.

Harman said that we haven't failed in Iraq, but "the surge has failed." She wants to bribe the Iraqis with "financial incentives" to make them behave. Blunt countered that the surge had only begun, and that too many people are trying to determine what happened on the battlefield before the [battle] occurred."

Wolf said that "some analysts" believe we can win a military battle but will lose a political battle due to thousand-year-old enmities. Congressman Blunt expressed disappointment so far, but he said that the hope for a Jeffersonian democracy might have been a stretch. He wants political goals – revenue sharing, etc. – to be met. Harman said that they weren't being met,

[commercial break]

Wolf asked Harman, as chairperson of the Homeland Security Committee subcommittee on Intelligence, about a TSA alert, which turned out be false, which he said was designed to scare the American people. Harman didn't deal with that, but talked about terrorists from the hinterlands in Pak coming to the United States under loopholes. She said that the terrorist surveillance program should be brought "fully under FISA."

Wolf asked Blunt about the TSA alert, and Blunt answered that it wasn't good policy if that was the case. There is plenty to be worried about, he said, and putting out reports in error can lull Americans into security. He said that the Republicans want to solve the problems with the surveillance, the FISA law is very old, and the Democrats should stop their "foot dragging" on the solution.

Harman said that FISA was to protect us from Dick Nixon, and she accused the Republicans of using this as a "wedge issue" to bash Democrats.

Blunt said that he agreed with Chris Shays in the earlier segment, that we're rushing into hyperdrive with charges and we can't discover what we need to do. "This is not Congressional oversight," he said. "It is Congressional inquisition."

Wolf pointed out that Chris Shay is a Republican and he wants AGAG to go. Blunt said that this is up to the President. Harman says she hopes AGAG is preparing to correct his testimony. Only one program was discussed at her "Gang of Eight" meeting, not an evolution into more.
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