Wonkette

* The sandstone walls at 1600 Pennsylvania are bursting with beauty. We decided to play the wicked stepmother and ask, “Who’s the fairest of them all?” There are fine choices, whether you prefer men or women. In the off chance that you prefer to pass judgment using more than a thumbnail photo, we’ve even provided testimonials: boys here and girls here. Polls close Monday morning at 10, and for God’s sake no cheating please. MORE »

Our story about President Bush’s unfortunate exchange with L.A. Times reporter Peter Wallsten got picked up by many news outlets — both real and fake: MORE »

Ah, the power of the blogosphere. We were the first to report on President Bush teasing reporter Peter Wallsten for wearing “shades” at a Rose Garden press conference — sunglasses that Wallsten wears because he’s legally blind. Wallsten suffers from Stargardt’s disease, which causes vision loss.

And now, news of a presidential apology:

Wallsten said Bush called his cell phone later in the day to apologize and tell him that he didn’t know he had [Stargardt's] disease. Wallsten said he interrupted and told the president that no apology was necessary and that he didn’t feel offended since he hadn’t told anyone at the White House about his condition.

More details, after the jump.

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Earlier today, we broke the story of how President Bush poked fun at reporter Peter Wallsten for wearing sunglasses while asking a question. Wallsten, it turns out, is legally blind.

The crew over at Think Progress has followed up on our scoop; check out their work here. They interviewed Wallsten, obtained the transcript of the exchange, and grabbed a video clip of it, too.

We also reprint the transcript here, after the jump.

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Earlier today, we described an exchange at this morning’s press conference between President Bush and Peter Wallsten of the Los Angeles Times. President Bush joked about Wallsten’s wearing sunglasses while asking his question. MORE »

A visibly tired President Bush, back from his surprise visit to Iraq, just concluded an hour-long press conference. It took place in the Rose Garden, and most of the questions focused on Iraq. MORE »

* Bush holds press conference to acknowledge “uncertainty in the country” over the situation in Iraq: “I understand people being disheartened when they turn on their TV screen. . . I believe we’re going to succeed.” [WP, NYT, W$J, USAT]
* $157m in federal funds have been directed to groups aligned with the administration’s social agenda and run by “political and ideological allies.” [WP]
* Bush “may be a lame duck, but he seems to be enjoying his swim,” writes Dana Milbank. [WP]
* Administration considers imposing fuel standards on vans and SUVs for the first time. [W$J]
* In shift, administration will ban the use of statements acquired through torture at Gitmo. [W$J]
* Six senators visiting Iraq urge “political compromises” for the sake of “national unity.” [WP, USAT]
* Senate will soon take up legislation on immigration restrictions. [WP]
* Lawmakers look to revise rules on material witnesses. [NYT]