May 19, 2008

The 2008 Republican National Convention today welcomed hundreds of news media representatives to the Xcel Energy Center for an informational briefing and tour of the convention complex. The Committee on Arrangements, the MSP 2008 Host Committee, and other local officials are rapidly preparing to accommodate the 15,000 members of the media expected in Minneapolis-Saint Paul for the nominating convention. Full release

The following was issued today by the Republican National Committee: Yesterday, Obama Said That Iran Did Not Pose A Serious Threat To The U.S.: Obama: "I mean think about it. Iran, Cuba, Venezuela - these countries are tiny compared to the Soviet Union. They don't pose a serious threat to us the way the Soviet Union posed a threat to us." Full release

California politicians must explain travel paid for with campaign contributions to California spas, golf courses, wineries and other locales under new regulations approved by the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) today. Full release

Representatives of more than 100 governments gathered in Dublin, Ireland today to begin writing the final text of a global treaty banning cluster bombs that cause unacceptable harm to civilians. The United States -- historically, the world's largest producer, stockpiler, and user of these deadly weapons -- won't be at the negotiations. Full release

Today, the Family Research Council joined leading pro-family and pro-decency organizations at the National Press Club, in urging the United States Department of Justice to vigorously enforce obscenity laws. Cathy Ruse, Senior Fellow for Legal Studies at Family Research Council had the following comments at today's press conference: "The porn industry and their friends at the ACLU seek an America where there are no legal limits on pornography - no limit to how graphic it may be, no limit to the people it can exploit for profit, including children. And they're winning. Not because what they're doing is legal, but because they're getting away with it." Full release

The American Islamic Congress today called on the Yemeni government to drop all charges against independent journalist Abdulkarim al-Khaiwani, who faces a sentencing hearing tomorrow that could result in the death penalty. Full release

John McCain says he wants to "[s]top the revolving door" of lobbyists in Washington. But if his campaign is any indication, lobbyists would play a central role in a McCain Administration. McCain's campaign is being run by lobbyists, many of whom lobbied for industries or foreign governments McCain has talked about on the campaign trail. In recent days, revelations about just how significant a role lobbyists are playing and their links to certain entities have led to the resignation of a number of campaign aides in an effort to save face for the candidate. But as Newsweek reported yesterday, "the fallout may not be over." [johnmccain.com, accessed 5/18/08; Newsweek, 5/26/08] Full release

The Democratic National Committee today launched McCainpedia, the latest in a series of powerful and groundbreaking online tools designed to further engage the American people in the political process this election by providing greater access to information and resources and making them easily accessible. McCainpedia is an electronic encyclopedia that provides the opportunity for anyone, anywhere to review the raw facts and research of John McCain's record and then use it or share it in any way they choose. Full release

The following Op-Ed was written by John R. Bolton and is from The Wall Street Journal: President Bush's speech to Israel's Knesset, where he equated "negotiat[ing] with the terrorists and radicals" to "the false comfort of appeasement," drew harsh criticism from Barack Obama and other Democratic leaders. They apparently thought the president was talking about them, and perhaps he was. Full release

This is the WashingtonWatch.com federal legislative update for the week of May 19, 2008. Last week, the House debated a spending bill for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan but did not pass it as expected. H.R. 2642, the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008, also includes spending to extend unemployment benefits and college aid to veterans, plus a tax on the wealthy to offset the costs of the veterans program. Passage of the bill would cost the average U.S. family a little less than $1,700. Full release

Two states. Two Democratic Primaries on the same night. And the differences in the contests are like night and day, according to a Suffolk University poll. In Kentucky, Hillary Clinton (51 percent) led Barack Obama (25 percent) by 26 points, followed by John Edwards (6 percent) and "uncommitted" (5 percent), while 11 percent were undecided. In Oregon, Obama (45 percent) led Clinton (41 percent) by 4 points, with 8 percent undecided and 6 percent refusing a response.
Full release

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