A Legacy of Torture

Tom Raum writes for the Associated Press: "President Bush put the best face on Friday's grim employment report, claiming a recently passed economic stimulus package should provide a 'booster shot' to an economy he acknowledged was in decline -- but on track, he said, to prosper in the future.

"Economists, for the most part, don't share his rosy outlook. . . .

"A White House ' fact sheet' boasts that the economy has added 'more than 8.1 million jobs since August 2003.' . . .

"[D]o you wonder why the administration picked August 2003 as a starting point?

"That's because it was a low point for job creation.

"When Bush took office in January 2001, there were 132.5 million non-farm workers. In August 2003, the number had fallen to 129.8 million. As of February, there are 138 million in the work force -- for a net increase since Bush took office of 5.5 million.

"That barely keeps pace with population growth, economists suggest.

"Many economists say the U.S. economy is already in recession -- even though it hasn't met the classic definition of two back-to-back quarters of declining gross domestic product -- and say the White House is trying to sugarcoat the statistics."

Intel Watch

Those who regard this White House with great skepticism have been looking forward to a Senate Intelligence Committee report on whether the White House intentionally deceived the public in the run-up to war.

The traditional media narrative still gives Bush the benefit of the doubt on this one -- despite the fact that the public long ago chose otherwise. Polls show that since at least mid-2005, a majority of Americans have believed that members of the Bush administration intentionally misled the public to make the case for war. In fact, it's up to 60 percent according to a September CBS/New York Times poll.

Similarly, a recent Center for Public Integrity report and database documented 935 false statements by Bush, Vice President Cheney and other top administration officials hyping the threat posed by Saddam Hussein's Iraq in the two years after Sept. 11, 2001. (See my January 23 column.)

But now it looks like the Senate report will avoid any bold conclusions.

Greg Miller reports in the Los Angeles Times: "After an acrimonious investigation that spanned four years, the Senate Intelligence Committee is preparing to release a detailed critique of the Bush administration's claims in the buildup to war with Iraq, congressional officials said.

"The long-delayed document catalogs dozens of prewar assertions by President Bush and other administration officials that proved to be wildly inaccurate about Iraq's alleged stockpiles of banned weapons and pursuit of nuclear arms.

"But officials say the report reaches a mixed verdict on the key question of whether the White House misused intelligence to make the case for war.

"The document criticizes White House officials for making assertions that failed to reflect disagreements or uncertainties in the underlying intelligence on Iraq, officials said. But the report acknowledges that many claims were consistent with intelligence assessments in circulation at the time.

"Because of the nuanced nature of the conclusions, one congressional official familiar with the document said: 'The left is not going to be happy. The right is not going to be happy. Nobody is going to be happy.' . . .

"The report focusing on the Bush administration's prewar statements is set to be delivered to members of the committee this week, officials said. But it could be weeks away from public release because members may push for changes, and much of the material cited in the report has yet to be approved for declassification by U.S. intelligence officials."

Cheney Watch

Ben Feller writes for the Associated Press: "President Bush, dispatching Vice President Dick Cheney to the Middle East, said the goal is to get Israelis and Palestinians to hold firm to the promises they've made toward peace.

"Bush said Monday in the Oval Office that Cheney would 'reassure people that the United States is committed to a vision of peace in the Middle East.' . . .

"Cheney departs Sunday for a trip to Oman, Saudi Arabia, Israel, the West Bank and Turkey. Oil is also on his agenda, as the White House -- coping with high energy prices that have socked American consumers -- continues to push for greater oil production in the Mideast."

Albatross Watch

Peter Baker writes in The Washington Post: "It took the Democrats all of about a minute and a half to turn President Bush's endorsement of Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) last week into an attack ad. The Democratic National Committee posted a 49-second online video that shows Bush playfully tap-dancing for reporters as he waited for McCain to arrive at the White House, then flashes some pointed captions:

"'Why Is This Man So Happy?'

"'Because he found someone to promise a Third Bush Term.'"

Baker continues: "The White House, meanwhile, says there is controlling legal authority allowing Bush to host what certainly seemed like a campaign event on federal property."

And, following up on something I pointed out Friday, as of this writing, the lead headline on the Democratic National Committee Web site remains "Bush Endorses John McCain as His Successor." By contrast, there's still no mention of the Bush endorsement on the home pages of either the Republican National Committee or the John McCain campaign Web sites. In fact, the only place I see any notice of it on either site is on the campaign's " McCain Supporters" page, which lists Bush (and his father) under "Former U.S. Presidents."

Karl Rove Watch

O. Kay Henderson writes for Radio Iowa: "Karl Rove, the former political advisor to President George W. Bush, spoke to a sometimes adversarial crowd of about 1200 last night at the University of Iowa. Rove was often interrupted by the 200 vocal protesters who attended the event. 'You've got a chance to ask your questions later and make your stupid statements,' Rove told the protesters as the event's moderator struggled to maintain order. 'Let me make mine.'"

Kelsey Beltramea writes for the Daily Iowan: "[T]he 'architect' on stage remained seemingly unshaken. Armed with a sarcastic humor and several quotations from prominent Democrats to support his contentions, Rove took on the audience of roughly 1,100 - telling a woman who yelled that that UI wanted the $40,000 speaking fee they paid back, simply, 'You can't have it.'"

Gridiron Reports

And why should a veto of anti-torture legislation dampen a good time?

Amy Argetsinger and Roxanne Roberts write in The Washington Post: "Bush, in white tie and cowboy hat, stole the show at Saturday's Gridiron Club dinner with a good ol' boy version of 'Green Green Grass of Home.' . . .

"[T]he 'first and final' performance of Bush and the Busharoos brought down the house. After the second verse, 50 people in the audience flicked on lighters. So Peter Frampton! But wait -- no one smokes anymore! Turns out Karl Rove and other insiders surreptitiously passed them out during dinner. Bush was apparently so pleased that he closed the show by kissing Helen Thomas."

Some of the lyrics: "And there to meet me is my mama and my papa, down the lane I look and here comes Barney, heart of gold and breath like honey; it's good to touch the brown brown grass of home. . . .

"For there's Condi and Dick, my old compadre, talking to me about some oil rich Saudi, but soon I'll touch the brown brown grass of home.

"That old White House is behind me, I am once again carefree, don't have to worry 'bout a crisis in Pyongyang. Down the lane I look, Dick Cheney is strolling with documents he'd been withholding, it's good to touch the brown brown grass of home."

Tribune blogger Frank James has video of Bush -- though it doesn't start until right after Bush stopped singing.

Ed Pilkington recounts the hilarities for the Guardian, then concludes: "Which was all very funny, until you realise that he still has 10 months left in office and remains the commander-in-chief of the most powerful military on Earth."

Cartoon Watch

Clay Bennett, Walt Handelsman, Mike Keefe, Robert Ariail and J.D. Crowe on Bush's McCain endorsement.

Brian Duffy and John Sherffius on Bush and the price of oil; Jim Morin and Ed Stein on the economy; Steve Benson on Bush's peace agreement.