Lois Romano (Julia Ewan - The Washington Post)

Don't want to miss out on the latest in politics? Start each day with The Post Politics Hour. Join in each weekday morning at 11 a.m. as a member of The Washington Post's team of White House and Congressional reporters answers questions about the latest in buzz in Washington and The Post's coverage of political news.

Washington Post national political reporter Lois Romano was online Monday, May 7, at 11 a.m. ET.

The transcript follows.

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Lois Romano: Good morning everyone. So nice of you to join me this morning. It's a gorgeous day here in Washington. Lots of great questions, so let's get started.

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Crestwood, N.Y.: If you were in charge of the 2008 GOP Convention, at what time would you schedule George W. Bush's speech?

Lois Romano: Great minds have debate this questions for decades, trying to catch maximum viewers. I think I would schedule it for 8 p.m. ET.

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Old Forge NY: Is it common for the White House to host a white-tie event while the nation is at war? It seems incongruous that such an elaborate celebration be held when there are men and women in harm's way living under daunting conditions.

washingtonpost.com: Queen Elizabeth Arrives at Andrews (Post, May 7)

Lois Romano: I don't know that there are set rules on this. But keep in mind that we are honoring Queen Elizabeth not celebrating ourselves. It's the proper event to have given the protocol.

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Arlington, Va.: By the passing a bill without firm withdrawal deadlines, won't the Democrats enrage their base? Can the Republicans capitalize on this enough to retake both chambers of Congress in 2008? I voted Democratic for the first time ever in 2006, but I'll go back to voting Republican if troops are still in Iraq by 2008.

Lois Romano: Good question. Yes, they will enrage their base but enough for the base to want to turn the congress back to the GOP. You are clearly not the base-- but you are a voter that the Dems want and need to hold onto. The biggest challenge facing the democrats is trying to make good on their campaign promises to end this war. I don't know how many of you there are out there, but your comment shows that people are watching and do not just want promises and rhetoric.

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Flemington, N.J.: Regarding the article in today's Post: I remember going back a decade or more that there was a story where the reporters went to the same hovel in the Appalachians where LBJ went to proclaim his "War on Poverty" and it hadn't changed. For all the billions, people were living the same. With John Edwards talking a new 30-year war on poverty, might you go back to that place in the Appalachians and show it to us again?

washingtonpost.com: On Poverty, Edwards Faces Old Hurdles (Post, May 7)

Lois Romano: That is certainly a great idea. It is always good journalism to go back and revisit something.

It seems that may democratic presidential candidates have this angle for years. Bill Clinton comes to mind.

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Harrisburg, Pa.: Doesn't Minority Leader John Boehner's comments that he expects to see success in Iraq by the fall effectively place a date on the Bush's Iraq policy? Even Defense Secretary Robert Gates is telling Iraq they need to create a timetable on taking over from our troops. Whatever you call it, it seems that just about everyone except the White House is in at least conceptual agreement that there needs to be a future arrangement within the next year or so when we need to start bringing at least most of the troops back. Or am I wrong?

washingtonpost.com: Boehner: GOP Support on Iraq Could Waver (AP, May 7)

Lois Romano: Republicans are just as frustrated as Democrats about what is happening in Iraq. The common mantra these days is to wait for September to see what is happening. There is a view (and hope) among democrats that if the situation in Iraq does not improve by then, republicans will start breaking with the president openly. Right now they are still sticking together to give him the funding he wants.

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Vienna, Va: Why has it become so taboo for a presidential candidate to oppose the death penalty? Do any of the Democratic candidates oppose the death penalty? I know it is a state issue, but it could become important again depending on judicial appointments.

Lois Romano: The political thinking is that Americans favor law and order, and therefore the death penalty. However, most recent polling suggests the public may have a more nuanced opinion of the death penalty. I believe there are numbers to support the fact that fewer juries are sentencing people to death. That being said, I don't think candidates are ready to cut loose from the position. Off hand, I can't tell you if anyone is opposed to the death penalty.

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Richmond, Va.: A poll during the weekend showed Bush at 28 percent. Who is peeling away (given that his base at about 32 percent-36 percent seemed to be holding steady through think and thin)?

washingtonpost.com: Newsweek Poll: Bush hits all-time low (Newsweek, May 5)

Lois Romano: You are seeing the independents, moderate republicans and conservative democrats pulling away. These are voters who do not like the way the country is going, and are unhappy that we are still at war in Iraq.

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New York: Thank you so much for these wonderful discussion. What is going to be the next shoe to drop in the U.S. Attorney scandal? At this point it would appear that the administration weathered a gale and now it's off the front page. For good? Or are there storm clouds ahead that you see?

Lois Romano: I do not think you have heard the last of it. There are many congressional investigators working on this and you can expect more hearings.

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New York: Hi, Lois. Don't know if you'll want to get into this, but here goes: In Saturday's front page Washington Post article by Jonathan Weisman and Lyndsey Layton about how the Democratic Congress is supposedly "faltering," the reporters quote Leon Panetta making the case that Dems had better watch out and not be too confrontational with the White House. Panetta, it appears, has become the go-to person for reporters making the case that Dems are at risk of overreaching or failing. In fact, it just so happens that this is the second time in just over a month that Weisman has gone to Panetta to get a quote arguing this point. Funny coincidence that The Post would do this, don't you think? Are there no other Democratic sources reporters can tap for this kind of anti-Dem criticism? If not, then perhaps this viewpoint is not as widespread among Dems as Weisman and The Post is leading us to believe? Here are links to both articles at issue, for easy reference: story one, story two.

Lois Romano: The view point that it is widespread in correct or we would not have published it. Often Sources will talk about a trend in politics, but be reluctant to talk for the record. Panetta is one of those sources who worked in the white houses and was in congress and so he is credible -- and doesn't fear being quoted. Think of his quote as representing a wider view that people don't want to attach their names to.

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Oxford, Miss.: Kucinich is against the death penalty. He has introduced legislation to end it.

Lois Romano: Thank you Oxford. That certainly makes sense.

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Dunn Loring, Va.: Ms. Romano: The Democratic debate on MSNBC drew 2.2 million viewers while the GOP debate on the same network, same day and time drew 1.7 million. In your view, does this reflect the diversity of the Democratic candidates vs. the sameness of the GOP candidates, or that the Republican party presently has lost the interest of the voters when it comes to the presidential race of 2008?

Lois Romano: Polling has indicated that the GOP base would be open to a new candidate, so there could be some candidate fatigue there.

And I do think you are correct about the diversity factor of the democratic field. People are quite curious about Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama and so they might tune in to check them out -- or to check out their celebrity.

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Washington: I haven't seen anyone in the press asking how Ms. Riza (Wolfowitz's girlfriend) got security clearances to work at the State Department. She's not a citizen, yet she is working at a sensitive installation in a time of war. Was she helped getting cleared? Why isn't this a bigger issue? Am I missing a simple explanation? I'm not suggesting she is doing anything wrong, but in these times when average citizens can find themselves on no-fly lists, she gets a State Department clearance?

Lois Romano: She's a well-regarded professional who has dealt with the U.S. for years. I'm sure she has been checked out repeatedly.

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McLean, Va.: I see that Fred Thompson seems to take most of his support from Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney. Do you think ol' Fred might be doing a secret favor for his buddy John McCain?

washingtonpost.com: Thompson's Politics Much Like McCain's (Post, May 6)

Lois Romano: No way. Fred is for Fred. One these guys get the bug, ego rules.

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Bethesda, Md.: Polls seem to be showing Giuliani slipping, especially among more conservative voters. A couple of recent polls showed him third in New Hampshire and fourth in Nevada, and he came under serious flak from the right for his muddled answers on abortion in the Reagan Library debate. Is the honeymoon over?

Lois Romano: It was just a matter of time before the GOP base fully grasped just how liberal Giuliani is on social issues. his best hope was always that the base would ignore this and look to him for leadership on national security. his answer on abortion did not help.

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Philadelphia: With a majority of the country wanting the troops out of Iraq and Bush's disapproval ratings at a supermajority, aren't the Republicans at a greater risk of of a voters' backlash by backing the President and the war funding without withdrawal timetables? I see their stance with the president as more harmful than the position that the Democrats are in.

Lois Romano: If the election were held right now it could be a problem. But we are still 20 months away from the election and a lot could happen. The surge could work- and if not the republicans could distance themselves from the president.

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Alexandria, Va.: People are actually asking whether or not a 500,000 difference in viewership for the first presidential debates, with the actual election more than a year away, mean something? Isn't that just a tad bit of a reach?

Lois Romano: Yes -- it means nothing right now. the curiosity factor is still at play.

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Arlington, Va.: I wanted to say how much I appreciate how many questions you answer during these sessions. I like being able to hit refresh and get new content. Anyway, my theory on debate attendance is that the Democratic debate was so dull people decided to skip the Republican debate, which I actually thought was more interesting. (Three candidates don't believe in evolution!?) How long until we get debates with a more limited field? I know Mike Gravel technically is running, but it lends itself to the yes/no answers and less time to differentiate all the white male faces from each other. (Okay, this was a little easier in the Dems debate...)

Lois Romano: It will a while before the field is winnowed -- at least 4 or 5 months. It is pretty mind-numbing to watch the debates right now, although there is always at least one piece of news that emerges.

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Re: Egomaniacs All?: Okay, now you're just baiting me: "Once these guys get the bug, ego rules." I realize this is a "chat" and normal journalistic rules may not apply, but if this truly is your considered opinion about all the candidates, you're not even considering that any of them might actually want to serve the American people altruistically? I sincerely hope your apparent cynicism about the people/process doesn't unduly affect your ongoing political reporting.

Lois Romano: I was only making the point that he is not doing it for McCain. I don't recall questioning his motives. Chill out.

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Portland, Ore.: Hi Lois. Henry Waxman has issued a subpoena to Condi Rice asking for testimony before his committee, and Rice is saying she won't testify -- what's the next act in this drama? Thanks.

Lois Romano: I don't think Waxman will force her to testify -- but nor will be drop the matter. the Democrats get a lot of traction by just issuing the subpoena and keeping it in the media that she is declining.

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Gaithersburg, Md.: People have commented on how white and male the Republican field is compared to the Democrats. Do you think that there will be a drive to put a minority or a woman on the GOP ticket? The only women I can think of who would make sense are Condi Rice or Kay Bailey Hutchison. Or they could pick Alberto Gonzales ... oh, wait.

Lois Romano: I think it really will depend on where the electorate is and who the Democratic nominee is. It's still very early.

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Cortez, Colo.: Through the years, I have read articles with the premise that entrenched bureaucrats run the government and elected officials can't really make much in the way of lasting changes, at least in the day-to-day operation. John Bolton spoke of this on the Jon Stewart show and I was struck by George Tenet seeming to say he couldn't really be effective because of the way the bureaucracy works. My question is, do you hear this much? Do you agree with this premise?

Lois Romano: Let me just address the Tenet part of your question: he saw the president often, he briefed him, and the president liked him. He could have raised any number of issues with the president and maybe got things done. I am perplexed by his claim.

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Arlington, Va.: Even in the State Department you have to be a U.S. citizen to have a security clearance -- no exceptions. You can get a limited access authorization in special circumstances within the executive branch. Are you sure she has a security clearance?

Lois Romano: No I'm not. I'm sure she cleared for whatever she is doing.

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Washington: Thanks very much for these online discussions. They reveal much about American politics and I cannot think of anything I would rather be doing than chatting online at washingtonpost.com. Now several days in hindsight, who is the real winner of last week's Republican Presidential Nominee debate at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library?

washingtonpost.com: GOP Field United On War, Divided On Social Issues (Post, May 4)

Lois Romano: It's in the eyes of the viewer and how they saw the candidates. It doesn't matter what I think.

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Claverack, N.Y.: If Henry Waxman wanted to cite Secretary Rice for contempt of Congress, what would the procedure be? Does it have to pass only his committee, or the full House? And if successful, what would it actually mean? I assume it's not the secretary being dragged from the White House in handcuffs.

Lois Romano: It wouldn't get to that point. There would be a negotiation.

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War on Poverty: I had to respond to the War on Poverty question. It's quite true that LBJ's efforts failed to make the everyone's lives better in terms of overall living, but many of the programs that were created at that time have proven to be beneficial to large portions of the population. Often the benefits are not seen within a single generation, but manifest over repeated generations. That said, through the past 20-odd years we have seen in increase in the burden placed on the poor, and because of economic factors, an increase in the numbers (and proportions) living at or below the poverty level. Until we, as a society, decide that this is not a problem that affects a few but one that affects us all, such pictures as the one's cited have no real meaning. LBJ attempted to lay the foundation, but as each budget year comes and goes the appropriate evaluation of programs and implementations get compromised. We are seeing this right now, as domestic programs are being cut or compromised to accommodate the current budgetary demands.

We could learn a lot from the so-called third-world. In pockets of the third world where an emphasis has been placed on equity and education, especially for women, remarkable improvements are being made economically, and more basically in morbidity and mortality. Meanwhile our school systems are crumbling from the inside -- the same public school system that helped bring the U.S. to its well-earned greatness in the past century is being allowed to founder for politics, among other reasons. I would here refer you to the work of Jonathan Kozol, who wrote about this problem in 1991 and then again last year. His theme last year was that in more than a decade nothing had changed in the horrible condition of our school systems. We should be ashamed, and in my opinion every American ought to read his book. If you can find it, it's " Savage Inequalities: Children in America's Schools."

Lois Romano: Thank you for your thoughtful response to the question. You clearly know much about this subject. I for one plan on getting the book you recommend.

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Lois Romano: Thank you all so much for joining me. This was a great hour- with very energetic questions. Please join me again soon. Have a good day.

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