Washington News
Martinez Poised to Assume RNC Leadership Post
Members of the Republican National Committee are expected to formally approve in January President Bush’s recommendation that Sen. Mel MartÃnez of Florida take over as RNC general chairman. MartÃnez, who would keep his seat in the Senate, would serve as chief spokesperson and principal fundraiser. The committee’s day-to-day operations would be handled by its current general counsel, Mike Duncan. The two men would share duties held by current chair Kenneth Mehlman, who resigned effective at the end of the year.
To view the full story, visit The Capitol Standard.
Election of Baca as CHC Chair Causes Stir
Five of the six Latina Democrats in the U.S. Congress abstained or voted against the election of California Democrat Joe Baca to be the Congressional Hispanic Caucus chair in the 110th Congress, which convenes January 3.
To view the full story, visit The Capitol Standard.
Pelosi's new life: politics under the microscope
By MARC SANDALOW
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
House Speaker-to-be Nancy Pelosi now knows that every move she makes will be scrutinized, analyzed and ripped apart for meaning.
Her Democratic colleagues' rejection of her choice for majority leader made news around the globe, reinforcing the notion that what had been fodder for Capitol Hill newspapers when Democrats were in the minority has become international news now that they are becoming the majority.
"She's learning exactly what Newt Gingrich learned 12 years ago," said Jack Pitney, a professor of political science at Claremont McKenna College outside Los Angeles and the author of several books on Congress.
Rating the pundits ... Blue dogs ... Thanksgiving costs
By LISA HOFFMAN
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
So how good were those election predictions put forth by all manner of pundits and professors?
First, here are the congressional results: Democrats will control 51 seats in the Senate to the Republicans' 49.
Foley leaves rehab
Disgraced ex-congressman Mark Foley leaves a private residence in Palm Beach Island Thursday. Photo courtesy WPTV.
Foley out of rehab
Disgraced ex-congressman Mark Foley leaves a private residence in Palm Beach Island Thursday. Photo courtesy WPTV.
Pelosi handed first defeat as Dems pick Hoyer
By EDWARD EPSTEIN
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
First, House Democrats unanimously picked Nancy Pelosi to be speaker in the next Congress. But then just moments later they handed her an embarrassing defeat by voting against her choice for majority leader, her top deputy.
Lott returns to GOP leadership position
By MARGARET TALEV
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Four years after his racially incendiary remarks forced him to step down as Senate Republican leader, Trent Lott of Mississippi was born again politically on Wednesday, winning the second-ranking post of Republican whip.
English-language Al-Jazeera bets Americans will tune in
By JONATHAN CURIEL
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Al-Jazeera, the Arabic news network that has infuriated U.S. officials by airing the video pronouncements of Osama bin Laden, is launching a new English-language channel it hopes will attract Americans and other English speakers who want news and analysis from an international perspective.
Al-Jazeera International, which premiered Wednesday, will retain the Arabic logo of its parent channel and have its headquarters in the same Arab country of Qatar, but it will be staffed by many non-Arab journalists, including former ABC News "Nightline" correspondent Dave Marash, who will anchor its Washington bureau.
Murtha, Hoyer step up campaigns for House leader
By JEROME L. SHERMAN
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Rep. John Murtha of Pennsylvania and Rep. Steny Hoyer of Maryland are locked in a tight battle to become the next House majority leader on the eve of Thursday's secret vote by Democrats, and supporters of both men are trading shots, including accusations that Murtha was involved in a decades-old corruption scandal while Hoyer has done little to oppose the war in Iraq.
"This is hand-to-hand combat now," said Rep.
