Blue Radar

As I post each morning, here are some of the political stories thatmight not be worthy of their own posts, but are nonetheless newsworthy:

• (WAR) Just weeks after throwing his support behind Nouri al-Maliki, amid calls for his ouster, President Bush had a different tone on Saturday.       "If the government doesn't ... respond to the demands of the people, they  will replace the government," Bush said.
• (WAR) Civilian deaths in Iraq rose for the second month in a row.  1,773 civilians lost their lives in August.
• (WAR) After returning from Iraq, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) said the surge has failed.  Read her speech.
• (IRAN) The Pentagon is drawing up plans for a "three-day blitz" on Iran by targeting their nuclear facilities.
• (CORRUPTION) In defense of Senator Larry Craig (R-ID), conservative commentator Ben Stein said the Minnesota police should have had their undercover police trying to bust terrorists, instead of worrying about people that engage in lewd behavior in men's bathrooms.  (That's really pushing the ante there, Ben!)
• (2008 SENATE RACE) DSCC Chairman Charles Schumer (D-NY) says the Democrats can win Idaho's Senate seat in 2008.  "Democrats can win in Idaho, and we intend to run a competitive race," the long-time Senator said.
• (2008 RACE) Duncan Hunter won the Texas Republican Straw Poll on Saturday.  He won with 41% of the vote.  Fred Thompson came in second with 21%.  Ron Paul finished third with 17%.
• (2008 RACE) Hillary Clinton is the only Democratic presidential candidate that hasn't signed the pledge to skip Wyoming, Florida and Michigan, who moved up their primaries.
• (2008 RACE) Democratic presidential candidate Bill Richardson unveiled a plan to help students with college loans.  "As part of your college loan structure — in other words we'll pay themoff, if you give your country one year of national service: work in aforest, clean up a forest ... work in a hospital, go in the military,go in the Peace Corps, go in Vista," the New Mexico Governor said.

If we left something out, it's because we either wrote about ityesterday or are scheduled to do so in an individual post later today. Otherwise, feel free to add any stories in the commentbox.

Comments

[Jon]

Education for Service
Richardson really got my attention with his student loan proposal. A good education in exchange for 1 year of service would be a bargain. Its also investing in the country well after the 1 year is up. I especially like that the military isn't the only option.

Hillary's support of Primary Line Cutting
*Sigh* You know the thing that is really bumming me out about Hillary is that she seems to do everything based on her own short term self interest. The US needs a president that will make decisions that reap long term benefits not just whatever is convenient for the time being. How will Hillary address global warming, foreign oil, Trade, the two wars, or anything else when she is known for her scorched earth style of politics? How do we know that she wont just keep all those overreaching powers Bush and Cheney insisted on in her back pocket instead of restoring the constitution? It sure is convenient to pull the executive privilege card when you don't want to answer to anyone.

As for Hillary's wink and nod to primary line cutting this election season is already too early as it is. I mean it interests a few other people who read/write blogs and watch c-span but for most people there is a real danger of fatigue. I'm not really happy with states like Iowa going before more populated states but thats the way it's been and it would do more harm than good to change it now.