Election Recycling: I Can Do the Rhetorical Dash in Thirty Flat Edition
• Bushraises nearly $4 million in 3 hours; $52.9 million for Q1; $184.4 million in total; $97.8 million spent, including $50 million in March;Kerrystays competitive. [ WP and WSJ and NYT ]
•Senators warn of growing concern about Iraq by voters; war may need new funds soon; draft floated.Graham (R-S.C.): "As long as people can see a reasonable [prospect] of Iraq as a functioning democracy, they will continue to support the sacrifice. But the lack of a well-defined plan for how to get there is getting to be more of a problem." [WP and WP and NYP ]
• Bush-Cheneyvisit to 9/11 panel set for April 29. [ NYT ]
• Woodward: BlairtoBush: "I said I'm with you. I mean it. . . I'm there to the very end."Bushoffers a peacekeeping role: "I would rather go alone than have your government fall." [ WP ]
• WolfowitzdeniesWoodwardreport about initial Iraq funding. [ WP ]
•Pentagon removesRumsfeldquote aboutBandar.[ WP and WP ]
• Bob ShrumandMary Beth Cahillaim "to set aside a long-running feud within the Democratic Party over its direction to positionKerryas the presidential candidate who is pro-national defense, pro-middle-class tax cuts, pro-balanced budgets -- with the rhetorical dash and inspiration ofJohn F. Kennedy,a hero toKerryand many of his top aides." [ WP ]
•Facing pressure,Kerryreleases some military records; plans to release all. [ WP and NYT ]
•The Patriot Act has become a cornerstone forBushcampaign. [ NYT ]
• Cheneysays pro-life group "reflects the compassion of our country, and our commitment to equality and dignity for every life." [ NYT ]
• KerrysaysBushis bad for the environment: "We don't have to choose between having a job and protecting the environment. It can go hand in hand." [ NYT and LAT and BG ]
•High demand for political books: Clarke'shas sold 263,000;Suskind: 165,000;Hughes: 38,000; Barnes & Noble sells over 16,000 copies ofWoodward'slatest. [ WSJ ]
• Hillary: "Kerrywill win." [ WT ]
•In political reality contest,Tenetplays to outwit, outplay, and outlast. [ NYT ]
• Bush, Kerrygo for military votes. [ WSJ ]
[Bored already? You're not even VP yet. AP Photo/Steven Senne ]