Morning copy 8.19.2005

Another slew of John Roberts' documents, and more comments on Women's Rights.

Amy Goldstein, R. Jeffrey Smith and Jo Becker of the Washington Post write that these documents provide "the clearest, most detailed mosaic so far of his political views on dozens of social and legal issues." LINK. Excerpt:

In a July 31, 1985, memo, Roberts noted that, as an assistant dean at the University of Richmond law school before she joined the Reagan administration, Arey had "encouraged many former homemakers to enter law school and become lawyers." Roberts said in his memo that he saw no legal objection to her taking part in the Clairol contest. Then he added a personal aside: "Some might question whether encouraging homemakers to become lawyers contributes to the common good, but I suppose that is for the judges to decide."

What is with these personal asides?

A slew of documents, a slew of ledes. Roberts as editor/gatekeeper for president, LA Times. The cautious advisor keeping others from making mistakes, NY Times. A national ID card system backed in these documents to combat illegal immigration, Boston Glone LINK.

Mark Memmott has an interesting angle to the Roberts nomination, LINK. Excerpt:

With Roberts' confirmation looking likely, "both sides (in the debate) want to show their flags, raise some more money and show the people who support them that they're not standing idly by," says Evan Tracey, chief operating officer at TNSMI/Campaign Media Analysis Group, which monitors spending on political ads.

Linda Feldmann of the Christian Science Monitor writes this line on Roberts' nomination: "But in the Kabuki theater that often characterizes the Washington political scene, the various players have reverted to their expected roles." LINK.

If you are scrolling through a politics story, you stop dead in your tracks when you see Kabuki theater.

Iraq

A very interesting trip home for Republican Chuck Hagel, Nebraska. LINK. Excerpt:

"We are seen as occupiers, we are targets. We have got to get out. I don't think we can sustain our current policy, nor do I think we should," [Hagel] said at one stop.

Hagel also spars with Cheney, CNN LINK. Excerpt:

"Maybe the vice president can explain the increase in casualties we're taking," the Nebraskan told CNN.

"If that's winning, then he's got a different definition of winning than I do."

Cheney, on Thursday to a Veterans group, in Peter Baker's lede in the Washington Post, LINK, "the United States 'will not relent' [Cheney's quote] in the war in Iraq and will hunt down insurgents there 'one at a time if necessary,' implicitly rebutting escalating pressure on the Bush administration to bring U.S. troops home."

The United Nations is gradually building up its presence in Iraq, LA Times.

Al Jazeera reports on the rebuilding of Iraq's air force. LINK.

For all that is said about getting the boots out of Mesopotamia, America's foot print will remain in Iraq until the country has a regionally substantial air force.

Predictions of a breakthrough in the Iraq constitution debate, USA Today LINK.

Softball in the war zone, NY Times LINK.

Rush hour bombing that killed two score was an attempt to incite civil war says Iraqi government, AFP LINK.

Sheehan

Cindy Sheehan has left the protest site to be with her ailing mother, NY Times LINK.

The Washington Post asks whether this protest is a passing story or something more, LINK. Also mentions that the answer may lie in the events in Iraq.

The pain of individuals with real, tragic losses has lead to a renaissance in the anti-war movement, Salon LINK.

Now the quick hit links...

Former Massachusetts Governor Bill Weld is looking into a run for Governor of New York, Boston Globe LINK. Winning would make Weld only the second governor in US history to have held the office in two different states. The first, and only thus far.

Current Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney to push his legislative agenda, Boston Globe LINK. Romney is responding to charges that his mind is in 2008, which it is.

LA Times on 2008.

Ohio Governor Bob Taft pleads no contest and insists he will not resign, Enquirer LINK.

Democrats see weakness, but who can run against Schwarzenegger? The name Robin Williams is thrown out there. Wouldn't that be a debate? SF Gate LINK.

Rumsfeld joins the fight against the Commies in South America, NY Times LINK.

I knew this trip had Hugo Chavez written all over it, but why now?