O:9:"magpierss":20:{s:6:"parser";i:0;s:12:"current_item";a:0:{}s:5:"items";a:15:{i:0;a:10:{s:4:"link";s:74:"http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Talking-Points-Memo/~3/316520212/201059.php";s:2:"id";s:41:"tag:talkingpointsmemo.com,2008://2.201059";s:9:"published";s:20:"2008-06-20T22:26:14Z";s:7:"updated";s:20:"2008-06-20T22:26:46Z";s:7:"summary";s:112:"Mark Schmitt argues that it's not just new campaigns, but new issues that can win in the age of the internet....";s:6:"author";s:3:"


";s:11:"author_name";s:11:"David Kurtz";s:10:"author_uri";s:29:"http://talkingpointsmemo.com/";s:12:"atom_content";s:673:"
<p>Mark Schmitt <a href="http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/06/20/politics_below_the_coasian_flo/">argues</a> that it's not just new campaigns, but new issues that can win in the age of the internet.</p>


<p><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~a/Talking-Points-Memo?a=uUyWcC"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~a/Talking-Points-Memo?i=uUyWcC" border="0"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare">
<a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/Talking-Points-Memo?a=xlxCrI"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/Talking-Points-Memo?i=xlxCrI" border="0"></img></a>
</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Talking-Points-Memo/~4/316520212" height="1" width="1"/>";s:10:"feedburner";a:1:{s:8:"origlink";s:48:"http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/201059.php";}}i:1;a:11:{s:5:"title";s:5:"Whoa!";s:4:"link";s:74:"http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Talking-Points-Memo/~3/316488607/201049.php";s:2:"id";s:41:"tag:talkingpointsmemo.com,2008://2.201049";s:9:"published";s:20:"2008-06-20T21:17:20Z";s:7:"updated";s:20:"2008-06-20T21:30:30Z";s:7:"summary";s:44:"New Newsweek poll: Obama 51%, McCain 36%....";s:6:"author";s:3:"


";s:11:"author_name";s:13:"Josh Marshall";s:10:"author_uri";s:45:"http://talkingpointsmemo.com/joshmarshall.php";s:12:"atom_content";s:616:"
<p>New Newsweek poll: <a href="http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/06/poll_with_primaries_over_obama.php">Obama 51%, McCain 36%.</a></p>


<p><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~a/Talking-Points-Memo?a=mxr9K3"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~a/Talking-Points-Memo?i=mxr9K3" border="0"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare">
<a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/Talking-Points-Memo?a=EhIXaI"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/Talking-Points-Memo?i=EhIXaI" border="0"></img></a>
</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Talking-Points-Memo/~4/316488607" height="1" width="1"/>";s:10:"feedburner";a:1:{s:8:"origlink";s:48:"http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/201049.php";}}i:2;a:11:{s:5:"title";s:13:"Obama on FISA";s:4:"link";s:74:"http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Talking-Points-Memo/~3/316442191/201032.php";s:2:"id";s:41:"tag:talkingpointsmemo.com,2008://2.201032";s:9:"published";s:20:"2008-06-20T19:56:17Z";s:7:"updated";s:20:"2008-06-20T19:56:51Z";s:7:"summary";s:250:"Obama on the FISA 'Compromise' ... "Given the grave threats that we face, our national security agencies must have the capability to gather intelligence and track down terrorists before they strike, while respecting the rule of law and the privacy...";s:6:"author";s:3:"


";s:11:"author_name";s:13:"Josh Marshall";s:10:"author_uri";s:45:"http://talkingpointsmemo.com/joshmarshall.php";s:12:"atom_content";s:3140:"
<p>Obama on the FISA 'Compromise' ... </p>

<blockquote>"Given the grave threats that we face, our national security agencies must have the capability to gather intelligence and track down terrorists before they strike, while respecting the rule of law and the privacy and civil liberties of the American people. There is also little doubt that the Bush Administration, with the cooperation of major telecommunications companies, has abused that authority and undermined the Constitution by intercepting the communications of innocent Americans without their knowledge or the required court orders.

<p>"That is why last year I opposed the so-called Protect America Act, which expanded the surveillance powers of the government without sufficient independent oversight to protect the privacy and civil liberties of innocent Americans. I have also opposed the granting of retroactive immunity to those who were allegedly complicit in acts of illegal spying in the past.</p>

<p>"After months of negotiation, the House today passed a compromise that, while far from perfect, is a marked improvement over last year's Protect America Act.</p>

<p>"Under this compromise legislation, an important tool in the fight against terrorism will continue, but the President's illegal program of warrantless surveillance will be over. It restores FISA and existing criminal wiretap statutes as the exclusive means to conduct surveillance - making it clear that the President cannot circumvent the law and disregard the civil liberties of the American people. It also firmly re-establishes basic judicial oversight over all domestic surveillance in the future.  It does, however, grant retroactive immunity, and I will work in the Senate to remove this provision so that we can seek full accountability for past offenses. But this compromise guarantees a thorough review by the Inspectors General of our national security agencies to determine what took place in the past, and ensures that there will be accountability going forward. By demanding oversight and accountability, a grassroots movement of Americans has helped yield a bill that is far better than the Protect America Act. </p>

<p>"It is not all that I would want. But given the legitimate threats we face, providing effective intelligence collection tools with appropriate safeguards is too important to delay.  So I support the compromise, but do so with a firm pledge that as President, I will carefully monitor the program, review the report by the Inspectors General, and work with the Congress to take any additional steps I deem necessary to protect the lives - and the liberty - of the American people." </blockquote></p>


<p><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~a/Talking-Points-Memo?a=IWaZV2"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~a/Talking-Points-Memo?i=IWaZV2" border="0"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare">
<a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/Talking-Points-Memo?a=3raHMI"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/Talking-Points-Memo?i=3raHMI" border="0"></img></a>
</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Talking-Points-Memo/~4/316442191" height="1" width="1"/>";s:10:"feedburner";a:1:{s:8:"origlink";s:48:"http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/201032.php";}}i:3;a:11:{s:5:"title";s:47:"Be A Patriot, Take Bush's Secrets to the Grave!";s:4:"link";s:74:"http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Talking-Points-Memo/~3/316424878/201029.php";s:2:"id";s:41:"tag:talkingpointsmemo.com,2008://2.201029";s:9:"published";s:20:"2008-06-20T19:27:30Z";s:7:"updated";s:20:"2008-06-20T19:37:14Z";s:7:"summary";s:226:"There were many entertaining moments in today's Scott McClellan testimony. But I think the best had to be right-wing Rep. Steve King (R-IA) telling McClellan that if he wanted to be a true patriot he would have just shut up...";s:6:"author";s:3:"


";s:11:"author_name";s:13:"Josh Marshall";s:10:"author_uri";s:45:"http://talkingpointsmemo.com/joshmarshall.php";s:12:"atom_content";s:1097:"
<p>There were many entertaining moments in today's Scott McClellan testimony.  But I think the best had to be right-wing Rep. Steve King (R-IA) telling McClellan that if he wanted to be a true patriot he would have just shut up and taken the Bush administration secrets and crimes to the grave ...</p>

<p><object width="340" height="280"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/VtDLPq7L0jI&hl=en"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/VtDLPq7L0jI&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="340" height="280"></embed></object></p>

<p>Steve King, We who are about to say the <em>omerta</em>, salute you!</p>


<p><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~a/Talking-Points-Memo?a=lDSlGO"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~a/Talking-Points-Memo?i=lDSlGO" border="0"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare">
<a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/Talking-Points-Memo?a=eGDFQI"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/Talking-Points-Memo?i=eGDFQI" border="0"></img></a>
</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Talking-Points-Memo/~4/316424878" height="1" width="1"/>";s:10:"feedburner";a:1:{s:8:"origlink";s:48:"http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/201029.php";}}i:4;a:11:{s:5:"title";s:19:"Bob Gates?  Really?";s:4:"link";s:74:"http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Talking-Points-Memo/~3/316373784/201005.php";s:2:"id";s:41:"tag:talkingpointsmemo.com,2008://2.201005";s:9:"published";s:20:"2008-06-20T18:11:01Z";s:7:"updated";s:20:"2008-06-20T21:23:50Z";s:7:"summary";s:218:"I've been noticing how Andrew Sullivan has been pushing the idea of Obama, if he wins in November, keeping Bob Gates on as Secretary of Defense. But now I see that Joe Klein's pushing the idea. And now Noam Scheiber...";s:6:"author";s:3:"


";s:11:"author_name";s:13:"Josh Marshall";s:10:"author_uri";s:45:"http://talkingpointsmemo.com/joshmarshall.php";s:12:"atom_content";s:3710:"
<p>I've been noticing how Andrew Sullivan has <a href="http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2008/06/obama-and-gates.html">been pushing the idea</a> of Obama, if he wins in November, keeping Bob Gates on as Secretary of Defense.  But now I see that Joe Klein's <a href="http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1815849,00.html">pushing the idea</a>.  And now <a href="http://blogs.tnr.com/tnr/blogs/the_stump/archive/2008/06/19/gates-as-obama-secdef.aspx">Noam Scheiber too</a>.  </p>

<p>So I'm going to be generous and excuse myself for not getting it earlier that Bob Gates must be actively pushing now to hold on to his job.  </p>

<p>Now, those who have long memories, or really just medium length memories, will have a certain sense of <em>deja vu</em>.  Gates was the CIA Director at the end of the first Bush administration.  And he pretty publicly and aggressively auditioned for keeping the job under Bill Clinton.  As it happens, Clinton dropped Gates to appoint Jim Woolsey, surely a contender for one of the worst, perhaps the worst appointment Clinton ever made.  (Since leaving the administration in 1995 he's focused primarily on giving Iraq conspiracy theorists a bad name.)  So holding on to Bob Gates would have been a far superior choice, if that was the choice.</p>

<p>Let me be clear, I do not have a negative impression of Bob Gates.  He's mainly had the unlucky task of picking up after the mess created by Don Rumsfeld, Dick Cheney and President Bush.  My sense is that Gates is a pretty sane guy and highly capable foreign policy hand.  And that's managed to come through even through the heavily cloaking effect of having to operate within President Bush's inane foreign policies.  I don't think I know enough about Gates or the particulars of his administration of the Pentagon -- to the extent that can be distinguished from the necessity of operating under President Bush -- to give any qualified appraisal of him.  But certainly he is much more in the Scowcroft, rough-realist school than anything from the Bush mold. </p>

<p>But can we realize that this is simply impossible?  I shouldn't say impossible.  Obama's surprised me a number of times.  And I'm not afraid to say, a number of times where I see in retrospect that he was right and I was wrong.  </p>

<p>But consider it from this perspective.  If Barack Obama is elected president in November it will be for many reasons.  But preeminent among them will be the American people's desire to decisively turn the page on the disastrous foreign policy -- in all its permutations -- of the Bush years, a foreign policy that has been characterized by belligerence and in the most direct sense by war, and one in which the Pentagon has played a dominant role, often at the expense of the Department of State.  Elected on those terms, I simply do not see how an incoming President Obama can choose to keep on the man who ran the Pentagon on behalf of President Bush and executed his policies, regardless of the man's qualifications in the abstract.    </p>

<p><em>Late Update</em>: A very knowledgeable DOD watcher I know tells me he's pretty sure Gates doesn't want to stay around past January 2009.  I guess he really is a realist.  </p>


<p><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~a/Talking-Points-Memo?a=Xj59fc"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~a/Talking-Points-Memo?i=Xj59fc" border="0"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare">
<a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/Talking-Points-Memo?a=SLRNWI"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/Talking-Points-Memo?i=SLRNWI" border="0"></img></a>
</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Talking-Points-Memo/~4/316373784" height="1" width="1"/>";s:10:"feedburner";a:1:{s:8:"origlink";s:48:"http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/201005.php";}}i:5;a:11:{s:5:"title";s:17:"Sounds of Silence";s:4:"link";s:74:"http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Talking-Points-Memo/~3/316373785/201009.php";s:2:"id";s:41:"tag:talkingpointsmemo.com,2008://2.201009";s:9:"published";s:20:"2008-06-20T17:54:23Z";s:7:"updated";s:20:"2008-06-20T17:57:14Z";s:7:"summary";s:144:"Obama's spokesman still doesn't know his candidate's position on the new FISA bill that passed the House today. The Senate vote is next week....";s:6:"author";s:3:"


";s:11:"author_name";s:11:"David Kurtz";s:10:"author_uri";s:29:"http://talkingpointsmemo.com/";s:12:"atom_content";s:716:"
<p>Obama's spokesman <a href="http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/06/obama_spokesman_i_dont_know_hi.php">still doesn't know</a> his candidate's position on the new FISA bill that passed the House today. The Senate vote is next week.</p>


<p><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~a/Talking-Points-Memo?a=0JJyLS"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~a/Talking-Points-Memo?i=0JJyLS" border="0"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare">
<a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/Talking-Points-Memo?a=q0Yc9I"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/Talking-Points-Memo?i=q0Yc9I" border="0"></img></a>
</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Talking-Points-Memo/~4/316373785" height="1" width="1"/>";s:10:"feedburner";a:1:{s:8:"origlink";s:48:"http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/201009.php";}}i:6;a:11:{s:5:"title";s:25:"House Passes New FISA Law";s:4:"link";s:74:"http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Talking-Points-Memo/~3/316341220/200992.php";s:2:"id";s:41:"tag:talkingpointsmemo.com,2008://2.200992";s:9:"published";s:20:"2008-06-20T16:56:05Z";s:7:"updated";s:20:"2008-06-20T16:57:56Z";s:7:"summary";s:168:"After months of battling, in the end the White House got exactly what it came for: broad surveillance powers and telecom immunity. The vote in the House was 293-129....";s:6:"author";s:3:"


";s:11:"author_name";s:11:"David Kurtz";s:10:"author_uri";s:29:"http://talkingpointsmemo.com/";s:12:"atom_content";s:732:"
<p>After months of battling, in the end the White House got exactly what it came for: broad surveillance powers and telecom immunity. </p>

<p>The <a href="http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/06/new_fisa_law_passed.php">vote</a> in the House was 293-129.</p>


<p><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~a/Talking-Points-Memo?a=a6gLg4"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~a/Talking-Points-Memo?i=a6gLg4" border="0"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare">
<a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/Talking-Points-Memo?a=42L8aI"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/Talking-Points-Memo?i=42L8aI" border="0"></img></a>
</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Talking-Points-Memo/~4/316341220" height="1" width="1"/>";s:10:"feedburner";a:1:{s:8:"origlink";s:48:"http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/200992.php";}}i:7;a:11:{s:5:"title";s:21:"Double Straight Talk?";s:4:"link";s:74:"http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Talking-Points-Memo/~3/316341221/200991.php";s:2:"id";s:41:"tag:talkingpointsmemo.com,2008://2.200991";s:9:"published";s:20:"2008-06-20T16:48:37Z";s:7:"updated";s:20:"2008-06-20T16:50:10Z";s:7:"summary";s:212:"Is John McCain saying one thing to white conservatives and another to Latinos on immigration? Jake Tapper talked to one attendee at McCain's recent meeting with Hispanic Republicans in Chicago who says he did....";s:6:"author";s:3:"


";s:11:"author_name";s:13:"Josh Marshall";s:10:"author_uri";s:45:"http://talkingpointsmemo.com/joshmarshall.php";s:12:"atom_content";s:764:"
<p>Is John McCain saying one thing to white conservatives and another to Latinos on immigration?  Jake Tapper <a href="http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/06/title----mcca-1.html">talked to one attendee</a> at McCain's recent meeting with Hispanic Republicans in Chicago who says he did. </p>


<p><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~a/Talking-Points-Memo?a=YtXPLi"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~a/Talking-Points-Memo?i=YtXPLi" border="0"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare">
<a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/Talking-Points-Memo?a=fNxJsI"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/Talking-Points-Memo?i=fNxJsI" border="0"></img></a>
</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Talking-Points-Memo/~4/316341221" height="1" width="1"/>";s:10:"feedburner";a:1:{s:8:"origlink";s:48:"http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/200991.php";}}i:8;a:11:{s:5:"title";s:14:"Moving On Over";s:4:"link";s:74:"http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Talking-Points-Memo/~3/316324502/200985.php";s:2:"id";s:41:"tag:talkingpointsmemo.com,2008://2.200985";s:9:"published";s:20:"2008-06-20T16:21:22Z";s:7:"updated";s:20:"2008-06-20T16:23:06Z";s:7:"summary";s:131:"TPM Election Central reports that MoveOn is shuttering its 527 outfit for 2008, in response to pressure from the Obama campaign....";s:6:"author";s:3:"


";s:11:"author_name";s:11:"David Kurtz";s:10:"author_uri";s:29:"http://talkingpointsmemo.com/";s:12:"atom_content";s:696:"
<p>TPM Election Central <a href="http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/06/moveon_to_close_its_527.php">reports</a> that MoveOn is shuttering its 527 outfit for 2008, in response to pressure from the Obama campaign.</p>


<p><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~a/Talking-Points-Memo?a=3SMQIH"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~a/Talking-Points-Memo?i=3SMQIH" border="0"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare">
<a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/Talking-Points-Memo?a=cuOEMI"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/Talking-Points-Memo?i=cuOEMI" border="0"></img></a>
</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Talking-Points-Memo/~4/316324502" height="1" width="1"/>";s:10:"feedburner";a:1:{s:8:"origlink";s:48:"http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/200985.php";}}i:9;a:11:{s:5:"title";s:21:"Don't Arrest Me, Bro!";s:4:"link";s:74:"http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Talking-Points-Memo/~3/316306816/200980.php";s:2:"id";s:41:"tag:talkingpointsmemo.com,2008://2.200980";s:9:"published";s:20:"2008-06-20T16:07:19Z";s:7:"updated";s:20:"2008-06-20T16:10:16Z";s:7:"summary";s:151:"Those 20-something Florida arms dealers have reportedly been picked up by the feds and are being charged with violating the Arms Export Control Act....";s:6:"author";s:3:"


";s:11:"author_name";s:11:"David Kurtz";s:10:"author_uri";s:29:"http://talkingpointsmemo.com/";s:12:"atom_content";s:717:"
<p>Those 20-something Florida arms dealers have reportedly been picked up by the feds and are being <a href="http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/06/_22yearold_arms_dealer_arreste.php">charged</a> with violating the Arms Export Control Act.</p>


<p><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~a/Talking-Points-Memo?a=bCCMSJ"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~a/Talking-Points-Memo?i=bCCMSJ" border="0"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare">
<a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/Talking-Points-Memo?a=DbYfMI"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/Talking-Points-Memo?i=DbYfMI" border="0"></img></a>
</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Talking-Points-Memo/~4/316306816" height="1" width="1"/>";s:10:"feedburner";a:1:{s:8:"origlink";s:48:"http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/200980.php";}}i:10;a:11:{s:5:"title";s:48:"White House Invokes Executive Privilege -- Again";s:4:"link";s:74:"http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Talking-Points-Memo/~3/316297001/200971.php";s:2:"id";s:41:"tag:talkingpointsmemo.com,2008://2.200971";s:9:"published";s:20:"2008-06-20T15:38:31Z";s:7:"updated";s:20:"2008-06-20T15:57:07Z";s:7:"summary";s:249:"The House oversight committee was supposed to vote this morning on whether to hold EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson (and an OMB official) in contempt of Congress for refusal to comply with congressional subpoenas. But the EPA and the White House...";s:6:"author";s:3:"


";s:11:"author_name";s:11:"David Kurtz";s:10:"author_uri";s:29:"http://talkingpointsmemo.com/";s:12:"atom_content";s:1254:"
<p>The House oversight committee was supposed to vote this morning on whether to hold EPA Administrator Stephen Johnson (and an OMB official) in contempt of Congress for refusal to comply with congressional subpoenas.</p>

<p>But the EPA and the White House have now <a href="http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/06/waxman_i_havent_seen_anything.php">invoked</a> executive privilege, committee Chairman Henry Waxman (D-CA) just announced, so he's delaying the vote to assess the privilege claims.</p>

<p>Keep in mind that the EPA and White House have been stonewalling Waxman for months, but have waited until now to formally invoke executive privilege. </p>

<p>It's all part of the Bush Administration's overarching strategy for its last year in office: Delay. Delay. Delay.</p>


<p><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~a/Talking-Points-Memo?a=S4uPPE"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~a/Talking-Points-Memo?i=S4uPPE" border="0"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare">
<a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/Talking-Points-Memo?a=OLqNII"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/Talking-Points-Memo?i=OLqNII" border="0"></img></a>
</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Talking-Points-Memo/~4/316297001" height="1" width="1"/>";s:10:"feedburner";a:1:{s:8:"origlink";s:48:"http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/200971.php";}}i:11;a:11:{s:5:"title";s:19:"House Debating FISA";s:4:"link";s:74:"http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Talking-Points-Memo/~3/316279331/200964.php";s:2:"id";s:41:"tag:talkingpointsmemo.com,2008://2.200964";s:9:"published";s:20:"2008-06-20T15:15:56Z";s:7:"updated";s:20:"2008-06-20T16:40:13Z";s:7:"summary";s:261:"The House is debating the new FISA compromise legislation now, including telecom immunity. A vote is expected within the hour. The House Judiciary Committee hearing featuring Scott McClellan has been recessed for the duration of the FISA debate. Late Update:...";s:6:"author";s:3:"


";s:11:"author_name";s:11:"David Kurtz";s:10:"author_uri";s:29:"http://talkingpointsmemo.com/";s:12:"atom_content";s:1048:"
<p>The House is <a href="http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/06/fisa_hearing.php">debating</a> the new FISA compromise legislation now, including telecom immunity. A vote is expected within the hour.</p>

<p>The House Judiciary Committee hearing featuring Scott McClellan has been recessed for the duration of the FISA debate.</p>

<p><em>Late Update</em>: Nancy Pelosi will vote for the compromise plan. A summary of the vociferous opposition from the House floor <a href="http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/06/dems_vent_opposition_to_survei.php">here</a>. </p>


<p><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~a/Talking-Points-Memo?a=4mHf4e"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~a/Talking-Points-Memo?i=4mHf4e" border="0"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare">
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</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Talking-Points-Memo/~4/316279331" height="1" width="1"/>";s:10:"feedburner";a:1:{s:8:"origlink";s:48:"http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/200964.php";}}i:12;a:11:{s:5:"title";s:20:"McClellan Testifying";s:4:"link";s:74:"http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Talking-Points-Memo/~3/316243052/200948.php";s:2:"id";s:41:"tag:talkingpointsmemo.com,2008://2.200948";s:9:"published";s:20:"2008-06-20T14:04:06Z";s:7:"updated";s:20:"2008-06-20T15:33:48Z";s:7:"summary";s:257:"Former White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan is in front of the House Judiciary Committee testifying about his knowledge of the Plame leak. We'll keep you posted at TPMmuckraker of any new developments. Ranking Member Lamar Smith (R-TX) has already...";s:6:"author";s:3:"


";s:11:"author_name";s:11:"David Kurtz";s:10:"author_uri";s:29:"http://talkingpointsmemo.com/";s:12:"atom_content";s:965:"
<p>Former White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan is in front of the House Judiciary Committee testifying about his knowledge of the Plame leak. We'll keep you posted at <a href="http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/06/mcclellantestimony.php">TPMmuckraker</a> of any new developments. </p>

<p>Ranking Member Lamar Smith (R-TX) has already gone after McClellan pretty hard.</p>

<p><em>Late Update</em>: McClellan will resume testifying later today after the FISA debate in the House.</p>


<p><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~a/Talking-Points-Memo?a=p4pvKG"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~a/Talking-Points-Memo?i=p4pvKG" border="0"></img></a></p><div class="feedflare">
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</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Talking-Points-Memo/~4/316243052" height="1" width="1"/>";s:10:"feedburner";a:1:{s:8:"origlink";s:48:"http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/200948.php";}}i:13;a:11:{s:5:"title";s:32:"Election Central Morning Roundup";s:4:"link";s:74:"http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Talking-Points-Memo/~3/316208216/200925.php";s:2:"id";s:41:"tag:talkingpointsmemo.com,2008://2.200925";s:9:"published";s:20:"2008-06-20T13:02:28Z";s:7:"updated";s:20:"2008-06-20T13:07:14Z";s:7:"summary";s:133:"Obama's fund-raising haul could top half a billion dollars -- that and the morning's other political news at TPM Election Central....";s:6:"author";s:3:"


";s:11:"author_name";s:11:"David Kurtz";s:10:"author_uri";s:29:"http://talkingpointsmemo.com/";s:12:"atom_content";s:718:"
<p>Obama's fund-raising haul could top half a <em>billion</em> dollars -- that and the morning's other political news at <a href="http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/06/election_central_morning_round_102.php">TPM Election Central</a>.</p>


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</div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Talking-Points-Memo/~4/316208216" height="1" width="1"/>";s:10:"feedburner";a:1:{s:8:"origlink";s:48:"http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/200925.php";}}i:14;a:11:{s:5:"title";s:38:"McCain Breaking the Law in Plain Sight";s:4:"link";s:74:"http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Talking-Points-Memo/~3/315965810/200902.php";s:2:"id";s:41:"tag:talkingpointsmemo.com,2008://2.200902";s:9:"published";s:20:"2008-06-20T04:59:55Z";s:7:"updated";s:20:"2008-06-20T08:31:38Z";s:7:"summary";s:226:"I mentioned earlier today that it was quite a thing to see John McCain denouncing Barack Obama for breaking his word on public financing when McCain himself is at this moment breaking the law in continuing to spend over the...";s:6:"author";s:3:"


";s:11:"author_name";s:13:"Josh Marshall";s:10:"author_uri";s:45:"http://talkingpointsmemo.com/joshmarshall.php";s:12:"atom_content";s:2448:"
<p>I <a href="http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/200840.php">mentioned</a> earlier today that it was quite a thing to see John McCain denouncing Barack Obama for breaking his word on public financing when McCain himself is at this moment breaking the law in continuing to spend over the spending limits he promised to abide by through the primary season in exchange for public financing.  (By the FEC's rules, we're still in the primary phase of the election and will be until the conventions.)  </p>

<p>I want to return to this subject though because this is not hyperbole or some throw away line.  He's really doing it.  McCain opting into public financing, accepted the spending limits and then profited from that opt-in by securing a campaign saving loan.  And then he used some clever, but not clever enough lawyering, to opt back out.  And the person charged with saying what flies and what doesn't -- the Republican head of the FEC -- said he's not allowed to do that.  He can't opt out unilaterally unless the FEC says he can.</p>

<p>The most generous interpretation of what happened is that McCain's lawyer came up with an ingenious legal two step that allowed him to double dip in the campaign finance system, eat his cake and spend it too.  But even if you buy that line, successful gaming of the system doesn't really count as strict adherence.  And the point is irrelevant since the head of the FEC -- a Republican -- says McCain cannot do this on his own.  </p>

<p>Like everything that has to do with campaign finance, the details are a little ... well, detailed.  But they're worth understanding.  Last February in this episode of TPMtv, we explained just how McCain cheated the campaign finance laws ...</p>

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