Washington Affairs

17 November 2003


Senate Filibusters Judges -- System Broken
The US Senate engaged in a 30-hour debating marathon over the nominations of four jurists to the federal bench. The filibuster brought a circus atmosphere to the Senate chamber, with cots provided and hysteria on tap. "This is a phony filibuster on a phony issue," said Senator Pat Leahy (D-VT), and he was right. The problem isn't with the Senate, the White House, the Democrats or the Republicans. The current mess is the fault of the constitution. Click here to read more.

Senator Sacks Campaign Manager -- Presidential Bid Imperiled
Senator John Kerry, currently the Democrats best chance at stopping Governor Howard Dean from becoming the 2004 nominee, fired his campaign manager, and two of this staffers quit in protest. This has shortened the odds on Governor Dean's chances considerably. Mr. Kerry's real problem is not the campaign manager as much as it is the candidate. Click here for more.

Soros Pays to Stop Bush
George Soros, billionaire, philanthropist and convicted inside-trader (France, December 2002, fined €2.2 million), has donated $5 million to MoveOn.org to help unseat President Bush in a year's time. “America, under Bush, is a danger to the world,” said Mr. Soros, “and I’m willing to put my money where my mouth is.” The pro-Bush crowd are upset, and the campaign reform mob are bothered, but what else is a billionaire to do? Click here to read on.