* Reliable Source:

* Cindy Adams: Helen Thomas: “I think Iraqis were better off under Saddam than they are now. More importantly, the Israelis think so, too.”. . . Chelsea Clinton spotted with “too blond” hair and a “too plunging” neckline. [NYP]
* Rush & Molloy: Arianna Huffington thinks Mary Matalin was “incredibly nasty” to Tim Russert. [NYDN]

In this edition of Chatology, Department of Homeland Security head Michael Chertoff pulls a half-Ginsburg, spinning through both Meet the Press and This Week. On various issues, Chertoff blames Michael Brown, Mary Matalin blames the media, Joe Lieberman blames Chertoff, Evan Bayh blames the Democrats, and David Gregory blames himself. Random wisdom from Ari Fleischer: “You can be right and still be bonkers.” Speaking of which: Cheney is “almost like the wizard dealing with the muggles” — Howard Fineman.

Full rundown and highlights after the jump.

[Ed. note: Don't miss Ana Marie Cox's appearance at the National Press Club, this Wednesday, February 22, at 6:30 PM. For more details, as well as information about how to obtain tickets to this free event, click here.]

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* Administration, in effort to avoid oversight, seeks congressional approving of NSA eavesdropping. [WP, NYT]
* Bush asked Cheney to speak publicly about the shooting on Wednesday; Mary Matalin describes Cheney’s mood as “so Harry-centric.” [NYT]
* Top Pentagon lawyer repeatedly questioned the ethics and legality of interrogation tactics used on detainees. [NYT]
* Lawmakers criticize Arab firm’s takeover of six U.S. ports; security procedures are the main concern. [WT]
* Joint Chiefs of Staff outline plan for the “long war” against terror. [WT]
* DLC founder and chief executive Al From says Democrats must be strong on national security to win in November. [WT]

* Reliable Source: Art Buchwald phones in from a hospice in Washington: “It’s like the Ritz-Carlton in Florida.”. . . Wax figure of Hillary is unveiled in New York. [WP]
* Rush & Molloy: George Clooney: “I love how they’re trying to blame the other guy for getting shot. Unless the guy is 20 feet tall, Cheney wasn’t aiming in the right direction.” [NYDN]
* Lloyd Grove’s Lowdown: Mary Matalin tells “Today” show viewers that the Pentagon was forthcoming about Abu Ghraib. [NYDN]
* Page Six: George Soros incites counter-attack commercials in Texas after funding ads against Rep. Tom DeLay. . . In light of Cheney’s hunting accident, Republicans dredge up Chappaquiddick. [NYP]
* Cindy Adams: Republicans mumbling about a McCain-Rice ticket. Says Henry Kissinger, “But John, Condoleeza is only just a staff person.” [NYP]

* House Republicans will issue 600-plus-page report on Wednesday that harshly criticizes all aspects of the government’s response to Katrina: “It was a failure of leadership. In this instance, blinding lack of situational awareness and disjointed decision making needlessly compounded and prolonged Katrina’s horror.” [WP, NYT]
* Cheney accidentally shoots companion during hunting trip in Texas. Mary Matalin: “He felt badly, obviously. On the other hand, he was not careless or incautious or violate any of the [rules]. He didn’t do anything he wasn’t supposed to do.” [WP, NYT, USAT, WT]
* Rep. Jane Harman (D-Calif.) and Tom Daschle believe eavesdropping is necessary but doubt Bush has the legal authority. [WP, LAT]
* Dean says Cheney should resign if he was involved in the leaking of Valerie Plame’s identity. [NYT, WT]

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• Washington Whispers: Condi enjoys globe-trotting. . . Rumor mill envisions Gore-Obama ticket in ‘08. . . Peter Pace, the new Joint Chiefs of Staff, encourages his minions to find balance in their life. . . 16% of Americans watch more than three hours of cable news per day, the Winston Group finds. [USN&WR]
• Cindy Adams: Stephanopoulos says Reid green-lighted Miers on behalf of Democrats. . . Woodruff says Fitzgerald is gunning for a conspiracy charge. [NYP]
• Page Six: Mary Cheney, Laura Ingraham, Major Garrett among guests invited by Mary Matalin and James Carville for book party. [NYP]

• Under the Dome: Humane Society says lobbyists use cockfighting to raise money. . . Bork is against television coverage of confirmation hearings. . . Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.) will honor journalists who advanced civil rights; Dan Rather, John Siegenthaler will attend. [The Hill]
• Inside Politics: Fonda cancels bus tour to avoid overshadowing Sheehan. [WT]
• Inside the Beltway: Pierce Brosnan on Bush: “This man called President Bush has a lot to answer for. I don’t know if this man is really taking care of America.”. . . Carville, Matalin sponsor Katrina-benefit run/walk. [WT]
• Rush & Molloy: Magic Johnson, Don Cheadle, Jay-Z criticize Bush’s handling of Katrina. [NYDN]
• Lloyd Grove’s Lowdown: Clinton buys 15 pounds of candy. [NYDN]
• The Scoop: Michael Moore is reportedly “seriously considering” making a film about government’s response to Katrina. [MSNBC]

While the President’s away, Jenna will play. In this special (though non-dry humping) edition of Wonk’d, we present an extended account of one drunk liberal’s run-in with the beery blonde in addition to sightings of Novak, McAuliffe [things are slow, aren't they], Clinton, Gannon, Liz Phair sorta, Carville and Matalin, Miller kinda, Nader, Wilson, Gonzales.

A reminder: Because it is August and we are desperate, we are accepting sightings of famous-for-D.C. types even if they are outside of D.C. However, we don’t really collect famous-famous sights outside of D.C. (That guy who sent in a thing about running into Keanu Reeves in Chicago? We’re just going to assume you’re his agent.) Anyhow: Sightings are sent in by readers. Send yours to:

• I know you like to keep up with all things Jenna, so I thought you’d be interested to know that I spotted her last night at the Secret Machines/Kings of Leon show at 9:30 Club. Walking up to the bar, I noticed a pack of 6 really good looking girls who were way over-dressed for the 9:30 Club. One of them looked like Jenna, but I just figured it was just some girl who looked like her. But then one of the other girls walked up to her and said, “hey, JB, you wanna go up by the front of the stage?” I was now convinced it was her.

Jenna sighting continues and other sightings follow after the jump.

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