Bush to open Mideast conference, but won’t stay for discussion
WASHINGTON — President Bush, who’s largely ignored the risky business of Middle East peacemaking throughout his nearly seven years in office, will take center stage Tuesday at the international peace conference he’s hosting in Annapolis, Md. He won’t remain there for long, however. Bush plans to head back to the White House after delivering his opening speech to the diplomats and dignitaries at the U.S. Naval Academy, and while surprises are always possible, White House aides said he wasn’t planning to offer new American proposals to resolve the conflict.

Bush welcomes Gore to Oval Office
Al Gore finally won his place in the Oval Office on Monday — right next to George W. Bush. Forever linked by the closest and craziest presidential race in history, the two men were reunited by, of all things, White House tradition. Gore was among the 2007 Nobel Prize winners who were invited in for a photo and some chatter with the president; Gore got the recognition for his work on global warming… The two also had a 40-minute meeting in the Oval Office, part of Bush’s effort to show some outreach to his longtime rival.

Blackwater weapons-smuggling probe stifled by conflicts
The State Department’s acerbic top auditor wasn’t happy when Justice Department officials told one of his aides to leave the room so they could discuss a criminal investigation of Blackwater Worldwide, the contractor protecting U.S. diplomats in Iraq. The episode reveals the badly strained relationship between Bush administration officials over the probe into whether Blackwater smuggled weapons into Iraq that could have gotten into insurgents’ hands. As a result of the bureaucratic crosscurrents between State’s top auditor and Justice, the investigation has been bogged down for months.
They wouldn’t be slowing down the process on purpose, or anything like that, would they?

Cheney’s Heart Restored to Normal Rhythm
Doctors administered an electrical shock to Vice President Dick Cheney’s heart and restored it to a normal rhythm during a 2 1/2 hour hospital visit Monday. Cheney, 66, went home from George Washington University Hospital and was expected back at work on Tuesday.

Levin Says Democrats Won’t Block Iraq Troop Funding
Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin said Democrats won’t cut funding for U.S. troops in Iraq even as attempts to set a goal for a withdrawal are blocked by Republicans. “We’re going to fund the troops,” Levin, a Michigan Democrat, said today on the “Fox News Sunday” program.
I’d like to play poker with you, Sen. Levin.  Will you tell me what you have in your hand before I bet?  Thank you so much.  Meanwhile, let the Republicans do your job for you.  See below.

Republicans threaten to cut aid to Iraq
Two Republican senators said Monday that unless Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki makes more political progress by January, the U.S. should consider pulling political or financial support for his government.

Court declines Mich. faith-based case
WASHINGTON – The Supreme Court on Monday declined to get involved in a dispute between Michigan officials and a faith-based program for troubled youths.

Lott’s Departure Fuels Democratic Chances to Gain Senate Seat
The unexpected retirement of Mississippi Republican Trent Lott gives Democrats another opportunity to expand their one-vote Senate majority in next year’s elections.

Clinton slips against Republicans, Obama attacks
WASHINGTON (AFP) — A new poll Monday showed Hillary Clinton losing a general election to all potential Republican White House foes, in a new sign that fierce political attacks may be harming her 2008 campaign… Clinton’s top Democratic challengers Obama and John Edwards however would still beat their hypothetical Republican rivals in potential 2008 contests, the poll showed.

Misdirection (by digby)
[N]not everyone who is concerned about illegal immigration are racists. But it is clear that the ones who claim “illegals” are dirty, diseased and depraved to make their argument are. I don’t think the vast majority of Americans are comfortable with that kind of talk and if it’s exposed, they might just wise up and realize they are being played — and not want to be associated with such people. And it certainly would reassure our Latino brothers and sisters that the Democratic party is not a party that welcomes people who believe such things.

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