January 10, 2007
Hotline After Dark -- The Rare Kennedy News Cycle
More previews of Pres. Bush's speech tonight, along with reviews of the Dems' first day in Congress:
CNN's Malveaux: "One U.S. official saying that part of the goal of the administration, the president will say, is for the Iraqi troops to have operational control over the security of their own country by November. That, perhaps, is the administration's position going as far as possible when it comes to a timetable for U.S. troops" ("Lou Dobbs Tonight," 1/9).
MSNBC's Shuster: "Some lawmakers believe a Democrat should give a televised response, similar to what happens following the State of the Union Address, to take advantage of the attention and focus by the broadcast and cable networks. But Democratic leaders have not requested airtime to make a formal response" ("Hardball," 1/9).
Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-MA): "The real question is whether Congress and the Senate are going to do something, rather than just talk, whether it's going to be something beyond rhetoric" ("Situation Room," CNN, 1/9).
More Kennedy: "What is important for the American people to understand is that there are many of us who are working to try and insist on accountability and are opposed to an increased military surge. But we need to get action taken. If we don't take action in the short term, this president will go ahead and order these troops over to Iraq and then it will be too late because they'll be in place, they'll be out in the field" ("Hardball," MSNBC, 1/9).
Ex-Sen. Max Cleland (D-GA): "It is highly appropriate for the Congress not only to make sure it exercises its constitutional responsibility in terms of money going to the war, but actually in terms of oversight about how that money is spent" ("Situation Room," CNN, 1/9).
Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX): "I don't think we ought to threaten to cut off the funding for American troops because some people in Congress happen to disagree with the tactics that the president will announce tomorrow. And the fact is, while we've been given some preview of what the president will announce, we haven't heard the whole presentation, the whole program. And I would hope that there are some who would at least keep an open mind and listen to what the president proposes before prejudging that it's doomed to failure" ("Situation Room," CNN, 1/9).
HAVE THE DEMS GOTTEN THE HOUSE IN ORDER?
CNN's Johns: "Ticktock. With that 100-hours clock running down, you have to wonder if the Democrats controlling the House are getting the results and the headlines they want. In fact, they did achieve most of today's goal, passing virtually all of the 9/11 Commission's reforms -- but most of their goal, not all of it. The House did not look at the reform about fixing its own role in Homeland Security" ("AC 360," 1/9).
FNC's Garrett: "During the campaign, House Democrats vowed to implement all the remaining 9/11 Commission recommendations, but they do not, leaving out a key recommendation to take power and jurisdiction from certain committees to improve oversight of intelligence operations and funding. Democrats do set up a small task force to handle this choir, but describe its powers as minimal" ("Special Report," 1/9).
THE ENDORSEMENT TO WATCH FOR
During his "Hardball" appearance, Kennedy was asked about WH '08:
Kennedy, on who he'll endorse: "My colleague and friend John Kerry is taking a look at it. He's going to make his mind up very soon."
MSNBC's Matthews: "Do you have a deadline for your support? It's been said that you have a deadline."
Kennedy: "Is that said?"
Asked if he'll support Kerry, Kennedy: "I will back him."
Matthews: "Let me ask you about ... Mitt Romney. When he ran against you, people noticed that he was moving to the center, if not to the left. He was for a woman's right to choose on an abortion. He was for gay rights generally. Now he's out there running to the right, saying he's against any kind of gay union of any kind, he's against any kind of abortion rights. Which is the real Mitt Romney that you've gotten to know?"
Kennedy: "He'll have to explain it. Even in our debate we had it. He had moved back and forth on the choice issue. I said he isn't pro-choice or anti-choice. He's multiple choice. And I think he's going to have to probably respond to that as he gets across the countryside. And we'll wish him luck" (1/9). [EMILY GOODIN]
Posted at 07:20 AM
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