by Frank James
A quick guided tour of some of the morning's most important, most interesting, or both, Washington-related stories.
President Bush insisted that Iran was still a threat to develop nuclear weapons even though U.S. intelligence analysts determined that Iran likely stopped its efforts to make such weapons in 2003.
The new intelligence estimate on Iran scrambles many political equations, with China and European nations less likely to agree to added sanctions on Teheran while, in domestic politics, it could prove troublesome for Sen. Hillary Clinton, the Democratic presidential candidate who has taken the hardest line against Iran.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates visited Iraq to determine whether the decline in violence is sustainable and the Iranian government is continuing to wind down support for insurgent groups, including by providing sophisticated improvised explosive devices that have proved deadly to U.S. troops.
Experts said the decrease in Iraqi violence is fragile and tied to three highly reversible factors—the U.S. surge, the Sunni decision to fight jihadis and the stand-down by the largest Shiite militia.
The Federal Reserve Board is likely to deliver another interest-rate cut as it tries to support the economy through a tumultuous time and make it less likely that credit is further reduced to businesses and consumers but the size of the rate reduction remains the question.
Senators questioned credit-card issuers about their practice of raising interest rates even on consumers who pay their bills on time and without warnings that are clearly seen and understood by customers. Senators suggested legislation to limit such actions.
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Comments
Funny how the driveby media rush to judgment that Iran isn't doing any covert work since 2003 but, they have been enriching uranium and making other plans in secret.
Now, the drivebys want W to just be diplomatic when the nut case of all whack jobs Mahmoud predicts destruction for Israel and the USA.
I believe vicious Mahmoud over driveby journalists anyday.
I have confidence in President Bush. Besides the NIE is made up of a bunch of cynical holdovers from Jimma Carter and Slick Willy days. Jerry White, Springfield, IL
Posted by: Jerry White | December 5, 2007 10:17 AM
In today's news the usually poll-happy DNC Swamp doesn't report, the latest ABC/Washington Post poll has Mitt Romney way ahead in New Hampshire.
Posted by: Bruce | December 5, 2007 1:09 PM
Funny how wingnutz in denial like Jerry blame the media for the NIE summary which shows that the Bush/Cheney crowd is once again ignoring the facts from their own intelligence agencies in their imperialistic quest to invade, occupy and control oil-rich countries. I'm glad that people like Jerry have confidence in President Bush, because so few people do these days. Bush actually stood before the American people and claimed that he's only just now hearing about the NIE summary, a summary that his administration tried to keep suppressed from the public. If you believe that, then I have a bridge I would like to sell you in Minnesota.
Posted by: JohnC | December 5, 2007 1:15 PM
The Swamp's own Marky S. gets a heads up from that NYT redhead hottie liberal Maureen Dowd!
Way to score, buddy!
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/05/opinion/05dowd.html?ref=opinion
Posted by: C.Morris | December 5, 2007 6:47 PM
Jerry White;
Oh goodie! Another war! Try to keep it down when you see those F-18 launches!
Posted by: TheReamer | December 5, 2007 7:56 PM
Still no DNC Swamp story on the federal indictment of Norm Hsu, convicted fraud and Hillary's #3 fundraiser, for fraud and illegal campaign contributions.
Among other items in the indictment, the government is seeking a saxophone Bill Clinton autographed and gave to Hsu.
Posted by: Bruce | December 6, 2007 12:15 AM