ShareThisBy THOMAS HARGROVE
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Democrats swept back to power in a landslide for reform
The Democrats took control of both houses of Congress in landslide elections Tuesday by reform-minded voters tired of the war in Iraq and angry with scandal-ridden incumbents. Democrats gained six Senate seats, at least 29 House seats and six governorships. "The Democrats had a good night and I congratulate them on their victories," President Bush conceded. He held meetings with the likely next House speaker, Nancy Pelosi of California, and the likely Senate majority leader, Harry Reid of Nevada. All pledged to work toward a more bipartisan tone next year.
Rumsfeld dumped
Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld submitted his resignation to President Bush Wednesday, just hours after Democrats seized control of Congress in an anti-war landslide. Former CIA director Robert Gates was nominated to replace him. "Secretary Rumsfeld and I agreed that sometimes it's necessary to have a fresh perspective," Bush said. Many congressional Democrats and several retired Army generals have called for Rumsfeld's resignation over his leadership of America's military occupation of Iraq.
Virginia's Allen a failure for the record books
Control of the Senate returned to the Democrats with Thursday's concession by Republican George Allen of Virginia in a stunning disintegration of a political campaign. Allen just three months earlier was at least 15 points ahead and planning a run for president in 2008. "We fought the good fight and we came up just a bit short," Allen said. He lost by about 7,200 votes to former Navy Secretary Jim Webb. Allen's troubles began in August when he refereed to a Democratic campaign volunteer of Indian decent as "Macaca." Allen said he made up the word, but it's sometimes used as a racial slur.
EU officials say Poland is covering up ties to CIA prisons
European Union lawmakers Friday accused Poland of refusing to cooperate with their inquiries into suspected CIA-run secret prisons used to hold and interrogate suspected terrorists. Several Polish officials _ including the foreign minister and defense minister _ refused to meet with the EU commission appointed to investigate the prisons. "Many questions we've asked have been met with rather evasive replies, and sometimes rather contradictory replies," said Italian lawmaker Claudio Fava. An Italian court has issued an arrest warrant for two-dozen CIA agents in an alleged kidnapping of a suspected terrorist leader.
Gerald Ford to be America's longest lived president
Former President Gerald Ford will become the oldest president in U.S. history Sunday when he surpasses Ronald Regan by living for 93 years and 121 days. Ford has had health problems in recent years and is recovering from a heart procedure in August at the Mayo Clinic. "I thank God for the gift of every sunrise and, even more, for all the years he has blessed me with Betty and the children, with our extended family and the friends of a lifetime," Ford said in a statement.
CBS journalist Ed Bradley dies of leukemia
Soft spoken, hard-hitting investigative journalist Ed Bradley died of leukemia Thursday. Bradley was praised for his intelligent, smooth and no-nonsense reporting on CBS' "60 Minutes" broadcasts for 26 years. He won 19 Emmy awards, the most recent on the re-opening of the murder of Emmett Till 50 years ago. One of America's most prominent black journalists, Bradley did not usually focus on black issues. "He certainly was a reporter's reporter," said colleague Mike Wallace.
Hard rains pound Pacific Northwest
Record rains and widespread flooding this week were blamed for three deaths in the Pacific Northwest. Floodwaters washed out an important highway near Mount Hood, causing an estimated $20 million in damage. Two men died when they were swept into a Washington river and an elderly woman was found dead along an Oregon coast. Rescue workers were searching for several hunters who disappeared in the torrents. Light rains are expected this weekend, but flooding is expected to recede.
Same-sex marriage ban blocked in Massachusetts
Massachusetts lawmakers blocked a vote on a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage by going into recess Thursday, a procedural motion that infuriated proponents. Rather than take up the emotional issue, the legislature voted 109-87 to recess for the year. If they do not take action before a new legislature is sworn in, the proposed amendment cannot appear on the November 2008 ballot. Proponents of the ban said the legislature is "thumbing its nose" at the constitution.
Bloodshed continues in Iraq
Two Army soldiers and a Marine died in roadside bombings and gun fights Friday, bringing to at least 23 the number of Americans killed this month in the U.S. occupation of Iraq. The death rate is only slightly behind October's, when 105 U.S. forces died. The recent crescendo in violence is believed to have affected American voter attitudes in Tuesday's elections. Since the beginning of the war in 2003, some 2,843 members of the U.S. military have died, according to The Associated Press. Iraqi Health Minister Ali al-Shemari Wednesday said he estimates that 150,000 civilians have been killed in the war, three times earlier estimates.
