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WASHINGTON — Bob Woodward, who wrote two books praising President Bush and then a third harshly criticizing him, is out with a fourth tome that renders a mixed verdict on Bush, lauding the president’s surge of troops into Iraq, but saying "too often he failed to lead." At 487 pages, "The War Within" is the fourth installment in Woodward’s series of books on the president. Its release is embargoed until Monday, although an advance copy was obtained exclusively by FOX News. The new book is less critical than Woodward’s last tome, "State of Denial," which savaged Bush for his execution...

WASHINGTON — Bob Woodward, who wrote two books praising President Bush and then a third harshly criticizing him, is out with a fourth tome that renders a mixed verdict on Bush, lauding the president’s surge of troops into Iraq, but saying "too often he failed to lead." Woodward notes that Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama opposed the surge, while GOP presidential candidate John McCain was “advocating more troops for years.” Woodward also quotes McCain expressing frustration with the Bush White House, clenching his fists in the West Wing and exclaiming to Woodward: “EVERYTHING IS F---ING SPIN.” Woodward also observed that...

Election '08: Democratic vice presidential candidate Joe Biden says that, if elected, an Obama administration might pursue criminal charges against the Bush White House. This is how he plans to unite the country?Barack Obama insists he's the one we've been waiting for to bring the country together. Yet, he and Biden are signaling their willingness — or is it their eagerness? — to criminalize political opposition. "We will not be stopped from pursuing any criminal offense that's occurred," Biden said Monday at a Florida campaign stop. "If there has been a basis upon which you can pursue someone for a...

[DNC] poured scorn on President Bush's economic record. The clear aim was to justify the party's call for "change," ... Yet Democrats cited no good evidence for their claims ... [Here is a] factual assessment: - Economic growth. U.S. output has expanded faster than in most advanced economies since 2000... GDP per capita in the U.S. reached $41,813 in 2005. This was a third higher than the United Kingdom's, 37% above Germany's and 38% more than Japan's. - Household consumption...average per-capita consumption of the U.S. population (citizens and illegal immigrants combined) was second only to Luxembourg's... - Health services. The...

Asked if Biden and Obama plan to pursue criminal charges against the Bush administration -- as ABC News and the Guardian newspaper reported -- Biden said the report was not true. (ABC News on Wednesday quoted Biden as saying that he and Obama, if elected, would look into possible criminal misdeeds by the Bush administration. "If there has been a basis upon which you can pursue someone for a criminal violation, they will be pursued," Biden was quoted as saying at a campaign stop in Florida. "[N]ot out of vengeance, not out of retribution," he added, but "out of the...

John bore witness of Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me is preferred before me, for He was before me.’” And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. John 1:15,16

Obama might pursue criminal charges against Bush· Biden says criminal violations will be pursued · Democrats have issued subpoenas to Bush aides · 3 staffers have been held in contempt of CongressElana Schor in Washington guardian.co.uk, Wednesday September 03 2008 19:32 BST Article historyDemocratic vice-presidential nominee Joe Biden said yesterday that he and running mate Barack Obama could pursue criminal charges against the Bush administration if they are elected in November. Biden's comments, first reported by ABC news, attracted little notice on a day dominated by the drama surrounding his Republican counterpart, Alaska governor Sarah Palin. But his statements represent...

Democratic vice-presidential nominee Joe Biden said yesterday that he and running mate Barack Obama could pursue criminal charges against the Bush administration if they are elected in November. Biden's comments, first reported by ABC news, attracted little notice on a day dominated by the drama surrounding his Republican counterpart, Alaska governor Sarah Palin. But his statements represent the Democrats' strongest vow so far this year to investigate alleged misdeeds committed during the Bush years. "If there has been a basis upon which you can pursue someone for a criminal violation, they will be pursued," Biden said during a campaign event...

ABC News' Matthew Jaffe reports: While Republicans congregate in the Twin Cities striving to keep their hold on the White House, Barack Obama's running mate Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., sharply criticized the Bush administration Tuesday while delineating the changes Democrats would demand if they rise to power. "In an Obama-Biden administration, we will not have an attorney general who blatantly breaks the law," Biden said at a town-hall meeting in West Palm Beach, Florida, his voice at times drowned out by applause. "We will not have a president who doesn't understand the Constitution. And I will not be a vice-president...

Democratic vice-presidential nominee Joe Biden said yesterday that he and running mate Barack Obama could pursue criminal charges against the Bush administration if they are elected in November. Biden's comments, first reported by ABC news, attracted little notice on a day dominated by the drama surrounding his Republican counterpart, Alaska governor Sarah Palin. But his statements represent the Democrats' strongest vow so far this year to investigate alleged misdeeds committed during the Bush years. "If there has been a basis upon which you can pursue someone for a criminal violation, they will be pursued," Biden said during a campaign event...

Pelosi Statement on Comprehensive Energy Plan of New Direction CongressTue Sep 2, 5:43 PM ET **SNIP** WASHINGTON, Sept. 2 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued the following statement in response to President Bush's comments today on energy: "For too long, the President's and Republicans' 'drill only' energy policies have reflected the demands of Big Oil. "The New Direction Congress is crafting a comprehensive energy strategy that will provide relief for consumers, end our dependence on foreign oil, create millions of jobs and grow our economy. The Democratic plan will promote efficiency and invest in renewable sources of energy, responsibly increase...

Democratic vice-presidential nominee Joe Biden said yesterday that he and running mate Barack Obama could pursue criminal charges against the Bush administration if they are elected in November. Biden's comments, first reported by ABC news, attracted little notice on a day dominated by the drama surrounding his Republican counterpart, Alaska governor Sarah Palin. But his statements represent the Democrats' strongest vow so far this year to investigate alleged misdeeds committed during the Bush years. "If there has been a basis upon which you can pursue someone for a criminal violation, they will be pursued," Biden said during a campaign event...

In appearance and vigor, the GOP convention in Minneapolis seems lethargic, almost depressed compared to both the lively DNC convention in Denver, and past GOP conventions. Indeed, even Dole’s 2006 convention seemed more energetic than this GOP gathering. Of course, given the concurrence of Hurricane Gustav, the convention has been intentionally low-key, but even on what should have been the first full day of raucous electioneering, the Republican Convention hall seemed sadly complacent…as one observer noted, “what a sad little convention.” The pathetic satellite address of President George W. Bush did little to change the mood. Given the campaign the...

Pushing back against an increasingly aggressive Moscow, President Bush said Wednesday the U.S. will send an extra $1 billion to Georgia to help the pro-Western former Soviet republic in the wake of Russia's invasion. "Georgia has a strong economic foundation and leaders with an impressive record of reform," Bush said in a statement. "Our additional economic assistance will help the people of Georgia recover from the assault on their country, and continue to build a prosperous and competitive economy." Vice President Dick Cheney, due in Georgia on Thursday, planned to make the massive aid package a major highlight of his...

Conservatism... the real hope for America

President Bush participated this morning, in a briefing on Hurricane Gustav, and to discuss energy Enjoy your visit to Sanity Island

Bush’s delivery at the RNC, it was wonderful. His words on behalf of John McCain, there were some statements made which – frankly took my breath away. I felt it. In fact, it was very moving, such that I cannot express how to say it or even type a posting in response, other than say - Thank you President Bush for such a eminent delivery. Perhaps others can better express this. I don't care if this is vanity. I am speechless.

As Hurricane Gustav prepared to strike the Gulf Coast, the Republican Party and the McCain campaign decided to curtail most of the planned activities of the first day of their convention in St. Paul, Minn. According to a new CBS News Poll, three-quarters of Americans approve of that decision. Ten percent disapproved of the changes. Americans also approve of President Bush’s handling of the response to Gustav, according to the poll. Fifty percent of Americans who know enough to say approve of Mr. Bush, compared to 19 percent who do not. However, 31 percent of those interviewed Monday and early...

Political analyst Dick Morris tells Newsmax that neither Hurricane Gustav nor the pregnancy of Sarah Palin’s daughter will have a negative effect on Republican efforts as the November election draws closer.

The White House says the pregnancy of Alaska Governor Sarah Paley's daughter should not be a political issue.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans relegated President Bush to a brief, offsite cameo at their national convention Tuesday night and awarded one-time Democratic vice presidential candidate Joseph Lieberman a prime-time speaking slot as they courted millions of independent voters essential to John McCain's presidential hopes.

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Although they were reluctant to say it out loud, many Republicans were relieved Monday that President Bush didn't attend the Republican National Convention. They didn't like to talk about it on the record, in part because they didn't want to admit an unintended political benefit in Hurricane Gustav, which led both Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney to cancel their scheduled speeches Monday to the convention. They also didn't want to admit publicly that a president from their own party is a drag on their prospects. Yet inside and outside the convention hall, they mostly agreed...

ST. PAUL, Minnesota (CNN) -- The Republican National Convention, cut back Monday because of Hurricane Gustav's arrival on the U.S. Gulf Coast, will resume a full schedule Tuesday, convention officials said. Republicans are holding their convention in St. Paul, Minnesota, this week.

Sen. John McCain changed the entire dynamic of the presidential campaign with his selection of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his vice-presidential running mate. For the first time, there is an excitement about the Republican ticket. And judging by the most telling barometer – how much Democrats hate the choice – he could not have chosen better. Tactically, Palin is the perfect help for the three constituencies McCain needed to reach out to the most – women, conservatives and rural blue-collar men. Women. Many supporters of Sen. Hillary Clinton are still very unhappy she didn't wind up on the Democratic...

Lou Barletta is George Bush. In a nutshell, portraying the Republican Hazleton mayor as the local version of President Bush is the main Democratic strategy so far in the 11th Congressional District race between Barletta and U.S. Rep. Paul E. Kanjorski, the incumbent Democrat. And this isn’t the only place where Democrats are betting on the wildly unpopular Republican president to lead them to victory. As the Republican National Convention gets under way, Democrats all over the country are doing their best to play up ties between the president and Republican congressional candidates, especially incumbents, in hopes of increasing Democratic...

WASHINGTON, Sept. 1, 2008 – Iraqi civilian authorities today assumed responsibility for security in Iraq’s Anbar province, where Iraqi forces will now have the lead in security operations, President Bush said in a statement released by the White House. “Not long ago, Anbar was one of the most dangerous provinces in Iraq,” Bush said “Al Qaeda was in control of almost every major population center, and its leaders intended to turn Anbar province into a safe haven from which to plan and launch further attacks against Iraqis and others in the region, as well as here at home.” Bush...

WASHINGTON, September 1 /Standard Newswire/ -- Today in Iraq, responsibility for security in Anbar Province was transferred to Iraqi civilian authorities. Iraqi forces will now take the lead in security operations in Anbar, with American troops moving into an overwatch role. Not long ago, Anbar was one of the most dangerous provinces in Iraq. Al Qaeda was in control of almost every major population center, and its leaders intended to turn Anbar province into a safe haven from which to plan and launch further attacks against Iraqis and others in the region, as well as here at home. Today, Anbar...

Biden quoted as saying that Israel will have to reconcile itself to a nuclear Iran Democratic vice-presidential candidate Joe Biden was quoted Monday as telling senior Israeli officials behind closed doors that the Jewish state will have to reconcile itself to a nuclear Iran. In the unsourced report, Army Radio also quoted Biden as saying that he opposed "opening a additional military and diplomatic front."

While the Democrats had their week of unchallenged propaganda about their party – how perfect it is and how terrible the Republicans are – the latest good news about the economy and the average adjusted gross income went unnoticed. Once again, when Democrats don’t like the facts, they just ignore them with the help of the mainstream media. On August 26, Investor’s Business Daily reported data from the Internal Revenue Service showing that the average U.S. income had increased every year for five straight years through 2006. In fact, the $58,029 average was $739 higher than the peak year of...

This statement will enrage some supporters of GWB and GHWB, but America hasn’t had a true American president since Ronald Reagan. I admit that George Herbert Walker Bush was a damned sight better choice than William Jefferson “Ah Did Not Inhale Nor Have Sex With That Woman” Clinton and that George Walker Bush was a far better pick than Albert Arnold “Incovenient Lies” Gore, Jr. and John Forbes “Swift-Boated” Heinz Kerry. Still, I have some grave doubts as to the hopes and plans of both Bushes. I voted for both of them and would do so again against those opponents...

OTTAWA, ONTARIO -- 08/31/08 -- The Honourable David Emerson, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Honourable Peter Gordon MacKay, Minister of National Defence and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, today announced that Canada is providing assistance with the evacuation of those in the path of Hurricane Gustav. At the request of the United States government, a Canadian Forces CC-177 aircraft left Canada earlier today for the southern U.S. Gulf Coast. The Honourable Stockwell Day, Minister of Public Safety, indicated that he had spoken with U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff to offer further assistance. "Canada and the United States...

(1) Gets Bush out of St. Paul, where he would have given a speech that the media and the Democrats would have pounced on, and puts him in the eye of the storm, doing the nation's business, where he will be welcomed and greeted by friendly Republican governors. (2) Puts the spotlight on those friendly Republican governors--Haley Barbour, Charlie Crist, and most of all, Bobby Jindal, (the male Sarah Palin)--who will do their jobs competently, in contrast with the mess made three years ago by the Democratic governor of Louisiana, whose performance even at the time was compared unfavorably to...

The Republican National Convention's entire Monday night program, including an address by President Bush, apparently will be canceled as national attention focuses on Hurricane Gustav, House Minority Leader John Boehner said today. "It is doubtful that there will be any kind of program tomorrow night" when the four-day convention was scheduled to commence, he told reporters. "The convention is going to be handled on a day-to-day basis." Boehner, of Ohio, the top Republican in the House, said the convention is concerned about potential victims of the storm, "and the best way we honor that is to help Americans who are...

On Friday evening, President and Mrs. Bush attended Evening Parade at the Marine Barracks in Washington. On Saturday, President Bush delivered his weekly radio address. The address once again focused on the economy and is reprinted in full further down.On Saturday, President Bush phoned the governors of TX, LA and MS to discuss the impending storms that are expected to strike their areas as a result of Hurricane Gustav.

MOSCOW, August 29 (RIA Novosti) - Russia's Black Sea Fleet is capable of destroying NATO's naval strike group currently deployed in the sea within 20 minutes, a former fleet commander said on Friday. Russia's General Staff said on Tuesday there were 10 NATO ships in the Black Sea - three U.S. warships, the Polish frigate General Pulaski, the German frigate FGS Lubeck, and the Spanish guided missile frigate Admiral Juan de Borbon, as well as four Turkish vessels. Eight more warships are expected to join the group. "Despite the apparent strength, the NATO naval group in the Black Sea is...

WASHINGTON — When President Bush speaks to the Republican convention on Monday, he is expected to tout the “surge” of forces in Iraq as one of his proudest achievements. But that decision, one of his most consequential as commander in chief, was made only after months of tumultuous debate within the administration, according to still-secret memorandums and interviews with a broad range of current and former officials. In January 2007, at a time when the situation in Iraq appeared the bleakest, Mr. Bush chose a bold option that was at odds with what many of his civilian and military advisers,...

ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- President George Bush has joined the chorus praising Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin. In a statement released from the White House this morning, the president called Sen. John McCain's decision "exciting." "Gov. Palin is a proven reformer who is a wise steward of taxpayer dollars and champion for accountability in government. Gov. Palin's success is due to her dedication to principle and her roll-up-your-sleeves work ethic and serves as a wonderful example of the spirit of America. By selecting a working mother with a track record of getting things done, Sen. McCain has once again demonstrated his commitment...

The U.S. Border Patrol's largest union local has asked President Bush to put an end to the scores of Mexican military incursions into the United States that have put Border Patrol agents at risk of being injured or killed. "It is disgraceful that Border Patrol agents are put in harm's way and our government doesn't do everything reasonably within its power to protect us from marauding Mexican soldiers and others," said Edward "Bud" Tuffly II, head of Local 2544 of the National Border Patrol Council (NBPC) in Tucson. "Without a forceful response to these illegal incursions, an agent will eventually...

For Immediate ReleaseOffice of the Press SecretaryAugust 30, 2008 President's Radio Address   President's Radio Address  Audio  En Español       In Focus: EconomyTHE PRESIDENT:  Good morning.  This weekend, millions of Americans will celebrate Labor Day.  This holiday marks the traditional end of the summer season.  It is also an opportunity to reflect on the contributions of hardworking Americans all across our country - from teachers, farmers, and health care professionals, to firefighters, police officers, small business owners, and workers on the assembly line.   The American workforce continues to be the marvel of the world.  Yet many working families have been weathering tough...

8/15/2008 - EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- I learned a big lesson on service Aug. 4, 2008, when Eielson had the rare honor of hosting President Bush on a refueling stop as he traveled to Asia. It was an event Eielson will never forget -- a hangar full of Airmen and Soldiers getting to see the Commander in Chief up close, and perhaps even shaking his hand. An incredible amount of effort goes into presidential travel because of all of the logistics, security, protocol, etc ... so it was remarkable to see Air Force One land at Eielson on...

Republicans won't flock to see Stealing America: Vote by Vote — but the story it uncovers is no partisan witch hunt. ------------------------ Many Democrats still haven’t gotten over the 2000 presidential election, and a smaller subset believe the 2004 election was similarly swiped out of their mitts. The new documentary Stealing America: Vote by Vote will make those folks all but tear their hair out in anger. Even some Republicans might scratch their head over some of the material dredged up in this circumstantially based call to arms.

WASHINGTON (AFP) - US President George W. Bush said Friday he was excited by Republican White House hopeful John McCain's surprise choice of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as his running mate. "I applaud Senator McCain for selecting Governor Palin. This decision is yet another example of why the American people can trust him to make wise decisions and to confidently lead this country," Bush said in a statement. "By selecting a working mother with a track record of getting things done, Senator McCain has once again demonstrated his commitment to reforming Washington," the US president said. Bush telephoned Palin and...

Voter confidence in the War on Terror is at the highest level ever recorded since Rasmussen Reports began regular tracking in January 2004. Fifty-four percent (54%) of American voters now think the United States and its allies are winning the war. The previous high-water mark for optimism--52%--was reached a handful of times in September and October 2004. Optimism about the situation in Iraq is also at an all-time high. Forty-eight percent (48%) now expect the situation in that troubled country to get better over the next six months. Only 17% expect things to get worse. In addition to being the...

Economy: We keep looking for the much-anticipated recession, but it doesn't seem to have gotten here yet. Could it be that many of those expecting a downturn were wrong, and the economy's not going into the tank?Going out on a limb to predict what the economy will do is a tricky business. It's possible, though by no means likely, that the economy briefly lapsed into recession late last year or early this year, based on weak GDP data, falling home sales, rising oil prices and a jump in unemployment. We won't know for sure until months — maybe years —...

<p>Second-quarter GDP revised up to a surprising 3.3% annual growth; initial jobless claims declined last week. More soon.</p>

The U.S. Border Patrol's largest union local has asked President Bush to put an end to the scores of Mexican military incursions into the United States that have put Border Patrol agents at risk of being injured or killed. "It is disgraceful that Border Patrol agents are put in harm's way and our government doesn't do everything reasonably within its power to protect us from marauding Mexican soldiers and others," said Edward "Bud" Tuffly II, head of Local 2544 of the National Border Patrol Council (NBPC) in Tucson. "Without a forceful response to these illegal incursions, an agent will eventually...

NEW ORLEANS - National Guard troops stand ready, batteries and water bottles are selling briskly, and one small-town mayor has spent a sleepless night worrying. The New Orleans area is skittishly watching as a storm marches across the Caribbean on the eve of Hurricane Katrina's third anniversary.

President meeting with FEMA and RNC right now over Hurricane Gustav's arrival on Gulf Coast...RNC might delay convention if hurricane is severe on the coast...

The US economy grew at a revised 3.3% annually in the second quarter of 2008, the Commerce Department said, much higher than its first estimate of 1.9%. The rebound was linked to strong US exports, helped by the weak dollar, while government tax rebates also boosted consumer spending. GDP grew at a rate of 0.9% in the first quarter, after a 0.2% contraction in the last three months of 2007. The Federal Reserve has warned the economy will remain weak this year. "While we're not out of the woods yet, maybe we're beginning to see some sunlight," said John Wilson,...