Blog Wars

Kumbaya ?

A poster named Jason responds to Ruffini: "I think traffic is stagnating or dropping in the right blogosphere simply because the job of re-electing Bush has been accomplished. There was a bit of a circus on all sides about Social Security, but that has since dropped off the radar. Other than Terry Schiavo, there have been few issues that are important to the right-wing grassroots right now."

Still no Bolton, as the Los Angeles Times reports:

"Senate Democrats again blocked a confirmation vote on John R. Bolton on Monday, opening the possibility that President Bush would bypass lawmakers and use a recess appointment to install the nominee as U.N. ambassador.

"Despite last-minute lobbying by the White House and public pressure from Bush, Republicans fell short of the 60 votes [the vote was 54-38] needed to break a Democratic filibuster and cut off debate on the nomination. . . . And White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan refused to rule out the possibility that the president might appoint Bolton while Congress is on its weeklong July 4 break.."

That would drive the Democrats bonkers.

The Washington Times uses the F-word:

"The Senate yesterday failed to break a Democrat-led filibuster against President Bush's nominee for ambassador to the United Nations, leaving John R. Bolton at an impasse and setting up the possibility of a recess appointment."

A USA Today survey finds the country in a "funk":

"Fewer Americans fear a terrorist attack on the USA in the next several weeks than at any time since 9/11, a new USA TODAY/CNN/Gallup Poll shows.

"Overall, 35% say another attack is likely soon, down from 39% in January and a high of 85% in October 2001, a month after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

"The public has lost confidence in the Bush administration's ability to protect the nation from terrorist attacks, the poll shows, but 61% are still confident it can." Only 39 percent say they support the Iraq war.