Capitol Briefing - News and Analysis From the Hill - May 25, 2008

Targeting McConnell

It's always fun to try to knock off the other party's leader: Just ask Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), who ousted then-Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D) in 2004 in an incredibly tough and bloody campaign. Now Democrats are hoping to return the favor, putting increased effort and attention into a...

By Ben Pershing | May 30, 2008; 4:53 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (10)
Categories: 2008 Campaign
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Hastert Goes Through Revolving Door

Former Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) has landed a new job, and -- prepare yourself for a shock -- it's at a lobbying firm. Hastert will be a senior advisor at Dickstein Shapiro, working for the company's Government Law & Strategy Group. In a stirring statement, Hastert said, "I am extremely...

By Ben Pershing | May 30, 2008; 3:20 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (6)
Categories: GOP Leaders
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The Next Tell-All Author: Larry Craig

Forget the Scott McClellan book. That's old news. Capitol Briefing is looking forward to next year, when we can expect to see a new tell-all tome by none other than Sen. Larry Craig (R-Idaho). Craig talked at length about his book plans in an interview this week with KTVB in...

By Ben Pershing | May 29, 2008; 5:45 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (11)
Categories: Ethics and Rules , Senate
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Dole on the Air in N.C.

Is Sen. Elizabeth Dole (R-N.C.) in trouble this November? It depends on whom you ask, but it certainly does appear that her race against state Sen. Kay Hagan (D) is at least beginning to creep onto the national radar as a potential pickup opportunity for Democrats, particularly if this turns...

By Ben Pershing | May 29, 2008; 2:40 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: 2008 Campaign
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Chafee Puts Cash Behind Obama Endorsement

Looking for evidence that Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) really is cutting across party lines to bring people together? Look no further than ex-Sen. Lincoln Chafee (R.I.), who left the GOP after losing his 2006 re-election race and then endorsed Obama's presidential bid in February. "Ultimately the war vote is what's...

By Ben Pershing | May 29, 2008; 11:58 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (12)
Categories: 2008 Campaign
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Is Congress Too Small?

With members of Congress so very popular right now in the eyes of the American people -- the latest Gallup poll puts congressional approval at a solid 18 percent -- perhaps the time is right to give the public more of what it loves. Whether the voters actually want it...

By Ben Pershing | May 28, 2008; 3:36 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (8)
Categories: House
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Follow the GOP Leaders (Out the Door)

If you want a clear illustration of how the GOP's fortunes have changed on Capitol Hill, flash back to this date six years ago. Dennis Hastert (Ill.) was Speaker of a Republican-dominated House, with Majority Whip Tom DeLay (Texas) serving as his chief lieutenant and strategist. Tom Davis (Va.) was...

By Ben Pershing | May 28, 2008; 10:47 AM ET | Permalink | Comments (12)
Categories: 2008 Campaign , GOP Leaders
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Van Hollen Warns Against 'Irrational Exuberance'

Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Chris Van Hollen (Md.) has begun a concerted effort to warn his House Democratic colleagues to "beware of irrational exuberance" despite a growing evidence that the party is positioned to pick up more seats in November. In an interview today on washingtonpost.com's PostTalk program, Van...

By Ben Pershing | May 27, 2008; 4:55 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: 2008 Campaign , Dem. Leaders
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Stretching the Facts on Iraq?

For close to a week now, Republicans have been making hay over a video clip of Pennsylvania Rep. Paul Kanjorski suggesting that his fellow Democrats may have lied to voters during the 2006 election about their ability to "stop the war" in Iraq. Here's the clip in question, a 30-second...

By Ben Pershing | May 27, 2008; 12:45 PM ET | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: 2008 Campaign , House , Iraq
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Capitol Briefing: May 25, 2008 - May 31, 2008