United Liberty

The journalist who threw a shoe at President Bush is being charged:

He was held Monday in Iraqi custody for investigation and could face charges of insulting a foreign leader and the Iraqi prime minister, who was standing next to Bush.

Conviction carries a sentence of up to two years in prison or a small fine — although it’s unlikely he would face the maximum penalty given his newfound cult status in the Arab world.

Assaulting a foreign leader I can understand being a crime, but “insulting a foreign leader?” That doesn’t sound like something people get charged with in court in a free society.

Bush caught a shoeful during a trip to Baghdad today:

President George W. Bush ducked two shoes thrown at him by an unidentified man during a press conference in the Iraqi prime minister’s office.

Karl Rove would not have written this article , outlining how the GOP could make a come back if John Mccain had won.

He only makes two good points:

Second, while it’s the responsibility of all, someone must take the lead on training candidates and party leaders and nurturing their focus on ideas. Under its founder, Newt Gingrich, GOPAC once did this. It needs to be revitalized or its original mission taken up by a fresh group.

From Talking Points Memo comes a striking statistic:

The 2008 Republican and Democratic conventions were underwritten by hefty contributions from the institutions and individuals at the center of the country’s financial crisis, according to a report released Wednesday by the Center for Responsive Politics and the Campaign Finance Institute.

Senator David Vitter of Louisiana used colorful language today to describe the $15 billion loan to America’s most well known automakers:

Louisiana Sen. David Vitter had some colorful language to describe a proposed $15 billion loan to Detroit’s big three, calling the deal “ass backwards.”

According to The Raw Story, the cost of former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin’s campaign wardrobe continues to escalate:

The clothing, the official says, is in the committee’s possession and 
will be dispersed to national and local charities at the appropriate time.”

They are said to include “other” accessories purchased for the “hockey mom” before the election.Sen. John McCain’s (R-AZ) campaign spent more than $150,000 on Palin’s wardrobe between late August and Nov. 4.

Dan Carlin, the host of the poular podcasts Common Sense and Hardcore History, gave me his thoughts on various subjects, varying from the attacks in India to Obama’s cabinet appointments.

What do you make of rumors that President-elect Obama will be keeping Robert Gates as Defense Secretary?

Well, as far as I can tell I am the only person in the world who doesn’t like the pick (and it sure looks like, at least for the early part of the Administration that Gates IS the likely pick).

The AP reports that Sen. Martinez from Florida has decided not to run in 2010 for re-election. This leaves a big opportunity for Democrats and Republicans to go head to head for an open seat in a huge swing state. Look for positioning by FL politicians in the next few months for this one - we might even see a few carpetbaggers.

AP Article

Looks like Tom McClintock is headed to Capitol Hill.

From the San Jose Examiner:

McClintock is 1,576 votes ahead of Brown out of 367,510 votes counted, according to the secretary of state’s office. Those figures will be updated and finalized as counties certify their votes by Tuesday’s deadline, but McClintock’s lead appears insurmountable.

McClintock held a news conference at his campaign headquarters in a Sacramento
suburb on Monday to claim victory in the 4th Congressional District contest.

From Fox News:

A South Texas grand jury has indicted Vice President Dick Cheney and former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales on charges related to the alleged abuse of prisoners in Willacy County’s federal detention centers.

The indictment criticizes Cheney’s investment in the Vanguard Group, which holds interests in the private prison companies running the federal detention centers. It accuses Cheney of a conflict of interest and “at least misdemeanor assaults” on detainees by working through the prison companies.

Cheney’s office said it has not received an indictment yet.