Weekend Show *Preview* for 3/31 - 4/1/07 (not the live thread)

Network and Cable News Networks | 3/31/07 | Network and Cable News Shows

[Phsstpok]

Saturday Shows for March 31^st, 2007

Below are the topics and guests announced for these programs, along with my take on the "memes" that the shows are trying to push.  With each guest's name are a series of links that I found in a web search that helped me get a handle on who they are and what their likely positions will be when they are interviewed.

The Beltway Boys (Mort Kondrake, Fred Barnes)

• Meme:
  • The Dhimmicrats are actually trying to destroy Bush's presidency, even at the cost of American lives.  Who knew?
  • "Democrats are out for blood" - they're just now noticing this?
  • Did you know that people other than Elizabeth Edwards had cancer?  Who new?
• Topics:
  • Democrats are out for blood, forcing many to ask 'Who's president?'
  • White House spokesman Tony Snow vows to fight cancer again
• Beltway Boys contact information beltway@foxnews.com
• The program airs on FOX News Channel Saturdays at 6 and 11:30 p.m. ET

CNBC's Tim Russert Show (Tim Russert)

• Meme:
  • Either this is a repeat of last week or Friedman just talked so much they got two full shows out of it - he'll do that, you know
  • It's all the Jooooos fault
• Topics:
  • A robust analysis of globalization and the Iraq War
• Guests
  • Tom Friedman
    • New York Times columnist
    • Author of “The World is Flat.”
• CNBC's Tim Russert Show airs Saturday at 7pm, 10pm & 1am ET

Fox News Watch (Eric Burns)

• Meme:
  • The media isn't reporting news that might take away from their attack-o-Bush of the day.  Who new?
  • Did you know that people other than Elizabeth Edwards had cancer?  Who new?
• Topics:
  • Iran Standoff: Is the American press paying enough attention to the crisis?
  • Cancer in the News: How have the media handled announcements from Tony Snow and Elizabeth Edwards?
• The program airs on FOX News Channel Saturdays at 6:30 p.m. ET and Sundays at 2:30 a.m. ET
• Fox News Watch contact information Newswatch@foxnews.com

Journal Editorial Report (Paul Gigot) - FNC show page

• Meme:
  • Actual information about an actual declared candidate, not sensationalized or slanted.  It'll never sell.
• Topics:
  • Opinion Journal web page: The Romney Record
    • Massachusetts miracle?
      • A look at the Mitt Romney record as Governor
      • His claim to be the conservative in the GOP race
    • The political battle over charter schools.
  • Fox News Channel web page
    • Mitt Romney up close:
      • Can the one-term Massachusetts governor position himself as the true conservative in the presidential race?
    • Is there room in the GOP field for a dark horse candidate?
• Guests
  • Bing West
• Journal Editorial Report (at Fox News) contact information - jer@foxnews.com
• The program is from The Wall Street Journal and airs on FNC Saturday at 11 p.m. and again Sunday at 6 a.m. ET

[Phsstpok]

NBC Meet The Press (Tim Russert)

Below are the topics and guests announced for this program, along with my take on the "memes" that the show is trying to push.  With each guest's name are a series of links that I found in a web search that helped me get a handle on who they are and what their likely positions will be when they are interviewed.

• Meme:
  • The Dhimmicrats are actually trying to destroy Bush's presidency, even at the cost of American lives.  Who knew?
  • It's a conspiracy, I tell ya!  McChimpy Bushitler is out to rule the world, one US Attorney at a time!  And Rove planned it!
  • Al Qaeda terrorists have rights too, ya know!  We must get rid of all of these evil laws that protect us from them restrict their freedoms!
• Topics:
  • The U.S. Attorney dismissal hearings & the Attorney General’s future.
  • Charlie Rangel (D-N.Y.) on his new book.
• Guests
  • Senator Patrick Leahy, Democrat - Vermont
    • Senate web site | Bio
    • Senate  Judiciary Committee Chairman
    • Kondracke called Dems "a hanging party," said Leahy response to Goodling "reminds you of McCarthyism" (Media Matters for America, DC - Mar 30, 2007) Note: page also includes link to streaming video
    • Conservatives shut down Sampson hearing? (Think Progress, DC - Mar 29, 2007)
    • A Tale of Monica and Pat Leahy (American Spectator - Mar 28, 2007)
    • US Senate moves toward extending milk subsidy (Rutland Herald, VT - Mar 31, 2007)
    • Excerpt from Statement of Senator Patrick Leahy on September 23, 1999: (National Review Online Blogs, NY - Mar 23, 2007)
    • Sampson Grilled by Senators on US Attorney Firings (Editor & Publisher - Mar 29, 2007)
    • Leahy Calls White House Proposal a Non-starter (WCAX, VT - Mar 25, 2007)
    • Karl Rove is Patrick Leahy's target in attorney scandal (AlaskaReport, AK - Mar 14, 2007)
    • Patriot Act gets cool Senate hearing By Michael J. Sniffen (Wilmington Morning Star -
  • Senator Orrin Hatch, Republican - Utah
    • Senate web site | Bio
    • Senate  Judiciary Committee
    • Hatch, Bennett slam timeline (Salt Lake Tribune, UT - Mar 28, 2007)
    • Sampson to Testify on Fired Prosecutors (NPR Morning Edition - Mar 29, 2007) Note: page also includes link to streaming audio
    • 10 Things You Didn't Know About Kyle Sampson (U.S. News & World Report, DC - Mar 29, 2007)
    • Hatch: No "Clear Evidence" Gonzales "Deliberately" Lied to Congress (TPMmuckraker, NY - Mar 25, 2007)
    • White House, key GOP senator back Gonzales (WRIC, VA - Mar 25, 2007)
    • Fierce Debate Between Congressmen at ASNE Lunch (Editor & Publisher - Mar 28, 2007)
    • Sunday's Pseudo-Republicans (Human Events, DC - Mar 29, 2007)
    • Sen. Orrin Hatch Backs 'Problem Solver' Mitt Romney (NewsMax.com, FL - Mar 20, 2007)
    • Sheryl Crow Lobbies to Break Breast Cancer Bill Logjam (ABC News - Mar 28, 2007)
    • Unionization by Intimidation (Manufacturers' Blog, DC - Mar 30, 2007)
  • Representative Charlie Rangel, Democrat - New York
    • House web site | Bio
    • Author And I Haven't Had a Bad Day Since: From the Streets of Harlem to the Halls of Congress
    • It's time for national service (Paradise Post, CA - Mar 29, 2007)
    • Rangel Proposal Won't Pacify the 'Seattle Democrats' (U.S. News & World Report, DC - Mar 29, 2007)
    • An Opportunity On Trade (Washington Post, DC - Mar 27, 2007)
    • Charles Rangel, Don't Make Bad Deals on "Free Trade" (Huffington Post, NY - Mar 6, 2007)
    • Rangel: Not a Psychiatrist (New York Observer, NY - Mar 9, 2007)
    • RANGEL THE ANGER EXPERT (New York Post, NY - Mar 12, 2007)
• What would you like to ask this week's guests? (web page for submitting questions for this weeks show)
• Meet the Press mailbox (web page for comments)

[Phsstpok]

CBS Face The Nation (Bob Schieffer)

Below are the topics and guests announced for this program, along with my take on the "memes" that the show is trying to push.  With each guest's name are a series of links that I found in a web search that helped me get a handle on who they are and what their likely positions will be when they are interviewed.

• Meme:
  • The Dhimmicrats and RINOs are actually trying to destroy Bush's presidency, even at the cost of American lives.  Who knew?
  • The Chuck & Arlen roadshow moves on to its scheduled engagement for this week, with Abbot & Costello as their understudies
  • It's a conspiracy, I tell ya!  McChimpy Bushitler is out to rule the world, one US Attorney at a time!  And Rove planned it!
• Topics:
  • The U.S. Attorneys Controversy
  • The Iraq War Funding Vote
• Guests
  • Senator Charles Schumer, Democrat - New York
    • Senate web site | Bio
    • Vice Chair, Democratic Conference
    • "Specter Clock" runs out during Justice aide's lengthy questioning (WLOS, NC - Mar 30, 2007)
    • Sen. Schumer's Office: Subpoenas Ready For Rove, Miers (AND, South Africa - Mar 28, 2007)
    • Schumer needs to recuse himself from the AG story - part II (Stop the ACLU, PA - Mar 31, 2007)
    • Republican lawmakers urges attorney general to step down (Boston Herald, MA - Mar 31, 2007)
    • U.S. senators say they are preparing a bill to push China to overhaul currency policies (International Herald Tribune - Mar 28, 2007)
    • Sen. Charles Schumer Grilled on Walter Reed (NewsMax.com, FL - Mar 9, 2007)
    • Sen Charles Schumer: ‘What Do Democrats Stand for?' (NewsMax.com, FL - Mar 6, 2007)
    • One for the win column (Buffalo News, NY - Mar 30, 2007)
  • Senator Arlen Specter, Republican - Pennsylvania
    • Senate web site | Bio
    • Judiciary Committee
    • 'Specter Clock' Runs Out During Hearing (Town Hall, DC - Mar 30, 2007)
    • Sampson in hot seat: Dems want to know who was behind plan to circumvent Senate (The Hill, DC - Mar 28, 2007)
    • Start Stopping Arlen Now: Specter Will Run Again (Evening Bulletin, PA - Mar 29, 2007)
    • Arlen: WhatdahyaExpector (Huffington Post, NY - Mar 29, 2007)
    • Republicans don't need Arlen Specter Tony Phyrillas (Opinion Editorials, VA - Mar 20, 2007)
    • Sunday's Pseudo Republicans (National Ledger, AZ - Mar 30, 2007)
    • Ten Years Ago, Subpoenas Drew TV Yawns (NewsBusters - Mar 31, 2007)
    • Some GOP senators make sense (The Spokesman Review, WA - Mar 31, 2007)
  • Dan Bartlett
    • Counselor to the President
    • White House Bio
    • Gonzales firms defense on prosecutors' dismissals (Barre Montpelier Times Argus, VT - Mar 31, 2007)
    • White House counsel interview by National Public Radio over firings (Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, IN - Mar 23, 2007)
    • 'Kick Me'? (The Weekly Standard - Mar 30, 2007)
    • Bush Counsel: Rove Subpoena Would Be Refused (NPR All Things Considered, March 21, 2007)
    • Fired prosecutor: White House counsel asked why Republicans were angry at me (
    • Showdown Over Public Testifying (Raw Story, MA - Mar 26, 2007)
    • Showdown Over Public Testifying (ShortNews.com, Germany - Mar 22, 2007)
    • Is Gonzales a Diversion? (Washington Post, DC - Mar 14, 2007)
• Face The Nation contact information - ftn@cbsnews.com

[Phsstpok]

Fox News Sunday (Chris Wallace)

Below are the topics and guests announced for this program, along with my take on the "memes" that the show is trying to push.  With each guest's name are a series of links that I found in a web search that helped me get a handle on who they are and what their likely positions will be when they are interviewed.

• Meme:
  • The Dhimmicrats are actually trying to destroy Bush's presidency, even at the cost of American lives.  Who knew?
  • It's a conspiracy, I tell ya!  McChimpy Bushitler is out to rule the world, one US Attorney at a time!  And Rove planned it!
  • We must admit that we are the source of all evil in the world, surrender Bush for executing, cut our own throats, and then Joe Biden will think about forgiving this country, or maybe not
  • We Dhimmicrats are for the troops!  Let's give them IED proof vehicles to use then redeploy them to Iowa!
• Topics:
  • The White House and Democrats are standing eyeball to eyeball over issues that could determine the rest of the Bush presidency — but who will blink first?
    • Democrats pass legislation to force the US to withdraw from Iraq by early 2008
      • "A major setback for the Bush administration this week"
      • President Bush has vowed to veto the bill
      • Military officials warn that the billions of dollars in funding are urgently needed to continue the war
      • Will the president compromise on a withdrawal date?
      • Will Democrats backtrack to ensure they are not seen as cutting funding to the troops?
    • The "exploitable eight"
      • "With increasing evidence that Attorney General Alberto Gonzales was not being completely candid regarding his role in the U.S. Attorney firings, how long will he last?"
      • Will Democrats subpoena key White House officials to testify on the matter?
  • Fox News Sunday panel
    • The latest developments in the 2008 Presidential Race
  • Fox News essay: Coming up on Fox News Sunday
• Guests
  • Senator Mitch McConnell, Republican - Kentucky
    • Senate web site | Bio
    • Senate Minority Leader
    • McConnell sure of Bush war-deadline veto (Kentucky.com, KY - Mar 27, 2007)
    • Making Mitch Pay (Yahoo! News - Mar 31, 2007)
    • Pure Horserace: Beware The Insurgents (CBS News, NY - Mar 30, 2007)
    • Liberal group's ad criticizes McConnell over war support (Houston Chronicle, TX - Mar 27, 2007)
    • Democratic Activists Put McConnell on Hit List (Politico, DC - Mar 26, 2007)
    • Good for Mitch McConnell (The National Center for Public Policy Research, DC - Mar 26, 2007)
    • Dumb Stuff Republicans Say On The Senate Floor (Huffington Post, NY - Mar 30, 2007)
    • Mitch McConnell: GOP's Quiet Blocker Plays to Win (Kiplinger.com, DC - Mar 23, 2007)
    • Fineman: GOP Stick to Their Guns on Iraq (Newsweek - Mar 31, 2007)
    • Mitch McConnell: GOP May Regain Senate Majority (NewsMax.com, FL - Mar 13, 2007)
    • McConnell statement on Democrat's budget (Princeton Times Leader, KY - Mar 23, 2007)
  • Senator Joe Biden, Democrat - Delaware
    • Senate web site | Bio
    • Chairman Senate Foreign Relations Committee
    • 2008 Presidential Candidate | Campaign web site
    • Biden says Bush playing 'chicken' with Democrats (WMDT, MD - Mar 30, 2007)
    • Joe Biden-Not Quite Right (Local Liberty Blog, CA - Mar 15, 2007)
    • Biden amendment to fast-track new armored vehicles passes (WGMD Radio, DE - Mar 30, 2007)
    • Note to Prez Hopefuls: Quit Your Day Job (U.S. News & World Report, DC - Mar 30, 2007)
    • Biden/Lugar Resolution Calling for American Leadership on Climate Change Passes Senate Foreign Relations Committee (All American Patriots (press release), Sweden - Mar 29, 2007)
    • Can Joe Biden Catch Fire? (OpEdNews, PA - Mar 15, 2007)
  • Fox News Sunday panel
    • Brit Hume
      • Fox News
      • Media Watchdog Group Salutes Liberal Gaffes (FOX News - Mar 30, 2007)
    • Bill Kristol
      • The Weekly Standard
      • 'Kick Me'? (The Weekly Standard - Mar 30, 2007)
    • Mara Liasson
      • National Public Radio
      • Giuliani: Authentic Candidate or Also-Ran? (NPR - Mar 14, 2007)
• Fox News Sunday contact information - FNS@foxnews.com

[Phsstpok]

CNN Late Edition (Wolf Blitzer)

Below are the topics and guests announced for this program, along with my take on the "memes" that the show is trying to push.  With each guest's name are a series of links that I found in a web search that helped me get a handle on who they are and what their likely positions will be when they are interviewed.

• Meme:
  • The Dhimmicrats are actually trying to destroy Bush's presidency, even at the cost of American lives.  Who knew?
  • It's a conspiracy, I tell ya!  McChimpy Bushitler is out to rule the world, one US Attorney at a time!  And Rove planned it!
  • Pay no attention to the corruption in the ruling party, it won't be noticed by the media, I guarantee you that!
  • Global warming is the worst crisis in history!  Oh, wait.  That was last month, before the massive freeze in California (requiring federal aid) and Kit Bond is good at refuting the notion anyway... never mind, let's not talk about that.
• Topics:
  • President Bush and Congress face off over when to withdraw from Iraq. Who will win this political battle? We’ll ask two key U.S. senators.
  • the race for 2008 is in full swing.
• Guests
  • Senator Kit Bond, Republican - Missouri:
    • Senate web site | Bio
    • Senate Select Intelligence Committee vice chairman
    • Bond bashes vote to set Iraq timetable (Columbia Daily Tribune, MO - Mar 28, 2007)
    • Change the Channel, End the War (Huffington Post, NY - Mar 20, 2007)
    • Senator says Libby trial should have never happened (Journal Chrétien, France - Mar 18, 2007)
    • Bond on global warming (Kansas City Star, MO - Mar 28, 2007)
    • 'Daily Show' Mocks the 'Goreacle' (NewsBusters - Mar 23, 2007)
    • Ambassador nominee under fire (Kansas City Star, MO - Mar 27, 2007)
    • Senate Democrats applaud withdrawal of Fox nomination (WIS, SC - Mar 28, 2007)
    • Rachael Ray meets Trent Lott. (New Republic, DC - Mar 28, 2007)
  • Senator Dianne Feinstein, Democrat - California
    • Senate web site | Bio
    • Senate Select Intelligence Committee member
    • Official denies firing of SD prosecutor tied to corruption case (Examiner.com - Mar 29, 2007)
    • Violations Force Feinstein Military Committee Resignation (Judicial Watch, DC - Mar 29, 2007)
    • Culture of Corruption: Diane Feinstein Edition? (Jawa Report - Mar 28, 2007)
    • Feinstein calls for Attorney General to resign (San Francisco Chronicle, CA - Mar 25, 2007)
    • Feinstein sees Cunningham link in dismissal of San Diego US (KGET 17, CA - Mar 14, 2007)
    • New docs: Feinstein concerns on Lam prompted DOJ reaction (CBS 47, CA - Mar 24, 2007)
    • What Really Happened in the US Attorneys Mess (National Review Online, NY - Mar 28, 2007)
  • Rev. Al Sharpton
    • Former Democratic presidential candidate
    • REV. AL DELAYS DEM BLESSING (New York Post, NY - Mar 30, 2007)
    • 'JEALOUS' REV. AL BLASTS BARACK (New York Post, NY - Mar 12, 2007)
    • WHY REV. AL IS SCARED OF OBAMA'S POPULARITY (New York Post, NY - Mar 15, 2007)
    • Rev. Al Sharpton Denies, Decries Rumors in N.Y. of His Reported Jealousy of Barack Obama (Black America Web, Tx - Mar 25, 2007)
    • Sympathy for the devil: Leave Rev. Al alone! (Salon - Mar 19, 2007)
    • 'Murder': Sharpton wanted stronger indictments (Amsterdam News, MD - Mar 28, 2007)
  • David Ignatius
    • Washington Post
    • Spy tale with a Mideast plot to die for (Sacramento Bee, CA - Mar 31, 2007)
    • No TIME like the Future (Town Hall, DC - Mar 30, 2007)
  • Michael Ware
    • CNN correspondent
    • To our readers in Iraq (Power Line, MN - Mar 27, 2007)
    • One more word from Sergeant Krueger (Power Line, MN - Mar 29, 2007)
    • 116 Iraqis Killed in Day of Carnage; McCain Checks into Cloud Cuckooland (Bay Area Indymedia, CA - Mar 28, 2007)
  • Candy Crowley
    • CNN senior political correspondent
    • Politico apologizes for Edwards mishap (MLive.com, MI - Mar 22, 2007)
    • Richardson pitch: Regular guy with extraordinary résumé (CNN - Mar 13, 2007)
  • Jeff Greenfield
    • CNN senior analyst
    • Report: Jeff Greenfield Leaving CNN For CBS (Post Chronicle - Mar 31, 2007)
    • When Fate steps into the political arena (CNN - Mar 22, 2007)
  • Joe Johns
    • CNN correspondent
    • Joe Johns "Vindicated:" Radio/TV Gallery Says CNN Didn't Ambush Sen. Stevens (MediaBistro - May 15, 2006)
    • CBC chooses CNN over Fox? (Think Progress, DC - Mar 14, 2007)
• CNN Late Edition (web page for comments)

[Phsstpok]

ABC This Week (George Stephanopoulos)

Below are the topics and guests announced for this program, along with my take on the "memes" that the show is trying to push.  With each guest's name are a series of links that I found in a web search that helped me get a handle on who they are and what their likely positions will be when they are interviewed.

• Meme:
  • The Dhimmicrats are actually trying to destroy Bush's presidency, even at the cost of American lives.  Who knew?
  • It's a conspiracy, I tell ya!  McChimpy Bushitler is out to rule the world, one US Attorney at a time!  And Rove planned it!
  • We must admit that we are the source of all evil in the world, surrender Bush for executing, cut our own throats, and then Turbin Durbin will think about forgiving this country
• Topics:
  • faceoff on the controversy surrounding the U.S. Attorney firings.
• Guests
  • Dan Bartlett
    • Counselor to the President
    • White House Bio
    • Gonzales firms defense on prosecutors' dismissals (Barre Montpelier Times Argus, VT - Mar 31, 2007)
    • White House counsel interview by National Public Radio over firings (Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, IN - Mar 23, 2007)
    • 'Kick Me'? (The Weekly Standard - Mar 30, 2007)
    • Bush Counsel: Rove Subpoena Would Be Refused (NPR All Things Considered, March 21, 2007)
    • Fired prosecutor: White House counsel asked why Republicans were angry at me (
    • Showdown Over Public Testifying (Raw Story, MA - Mar 26, 2007)
    • Showdown Over Public Testifying (ShortNews.com, Germany - Mar 22, 2007)
    • Is Gonzales a Diversion? (Washington Post, DC - Mar 14, 2007)
  • Senator Dick Durbin, Dhimmicrat - Illinois
    • Senate web site | Bio
    • Former Gonzales aide testifies about firings of US attorneys (Kansas City Star, MO - Mar 30, 2007)
    • Dems losing grip on terror war (Troy Record, NY - Mar 31, 2007)
    • Anti war protestors demonstrate at Durbin's office (WJBC News, IL - Mar 28, 2007)
    • Cochran fails in bid to strip troop withdrawal timeline from Iraq bill (Jackson Clarion Ledger, MS - Mar 27, 2007)
    • 'Kick Me'? (The Weekly Standard - Mar 30, 2007)
    • Is Obama Or Durbin Talking About This? (The Conservative Voice, NC - Mar 30, 2007)
    • Study Shows One Amtrak Option May Have Advantages Over the Rest (WREX-TV, IL - Mar 29, 2007)
    • Durbin Legislation (WIFR, IL - Mar 23, 2007)
    • Sen. Durbin Amendment to Delay Potential Cuts in Medicaid Payments (PharmaLive.com (press release), PA - Mar 23, 2007)
    • SEN. DURBIN INTRODUCES PAUL SIMON STUDY ABROAD FOUNDATION ACT (Decatur Tribune, IL - Mar 29, 2007)
    • Dick Durbin Snuggles Up With 'Comely' Angelina Jolie (National Ledger, AZ - Mar 14, 2007)
  • Tommy Thompson
    • Former Wisconsin Governor
    • Republican presidential candidate
    • Thompson says he's only reliable conservative (DesMoinesRegister.com, IA - Mar 31, 2007)
    • Tommy returns to tout health care reform (Greater Milwaukee Today, WI - Mar 30, 2007)
    • Former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson makes stop in Boone (WHO-TV, IA - Mar 24, 2007)
    • Tommy Thompson Will Likely Enter GOP Presidential Race in Coming Weeks (LifeNews.com, MT - Mar 22, 2007)
    • Thompson predicts he'll move ahead of other candidates (Radio Iowa, IA - Mar 27, 2007)
    • Tommy Thompson for President? (WKBT, WI - Mar 22, 2007)
  • "Roundtable."
    • Fareed Zakaria
      • Washington Post Bio
      • What the warriors cannot achieve (Khaleej Times, United Arab Emirates - Mar 28, 2007)
    • Martha Raddatz
      • ABC's Chief White House Correspondent
      • 'The Long Road Home' by Martha Raddatz (calendarlive.com, CA - Mar 16, 2007)
      • ABC's Martha Raddatz on Iraq War (FOX News Transcript - Bill O'Reilly Show - Mar 5, 2007)
    • George Will
      • DC can't be turned into a state (Bangor Daily News -  - Mar 29, 2007)
  • Voices segement Cal Ripken Jr. on perseverance.
• ABC This Week comments email address

[fkabuckeyesrule]

I'd say Fox News has the most watchable....while I don't care for Biden politically he is a very entertaining and usually interesting....not to mention very articulate.

[fkabuckeyesrule]

Has anyone read Martha Raddatz's book? It seems interesting. She was on the Laura Ingraham radio show a couple of weeks ago.

[Bahbah]

not to mention very articulate.

And Biden is clean too.

[Phsstpok]

Ping

The Weekend Talk Show Preview Thread is up

It will also be cross posted (sometime soon... maybe) to my blog at

http://wizards.townhall.com/

Here's a sample of  my usually witty commentary...

Week three of the "exploitable eight" freak show and it's wearing pretty thin.  If they can't get Gonzalez within this next week then this is a failed maneuver, and they know it.  All the stops are out and this will probably be a week for very shrill rhetoric.  Leahy, Schumer, Biden, Specter, Feinstein and Durbin, along with Lil Timmah, Old Bob, Georgie Steponallofus, Wolfie and Mike Wallace's boy will all be in full dudgeon.  Harumph, harumph.  And not a word about Chuck Schumer's criminal identity theft operation or DiFi's billions in pork steered to her husband's companies.  That wouldn't fit the anti-Bush template that guides their every thought and is the source of their every breath.

<snip>

Bottom line, this week is about as artificial and phony as any yet conceived by the DBM.  Ironically they've had to provide space for people like Hatch and McConnell, which may just spell the beginning of the end for our dinosaur brethren.  They won't be missed.

---

My visit with my eye surgeon today went okay, but only okay.  He did end up pulling two more stitches, hence this very late post of the preview thread.  At least he didn't do any new cutting on the eye today like two weeks ago!  He ended up saying he's skeptical about being able to fit a contact lens to get me vision as things stand, which means we may end up having to redo the transplant.  Oh joy.  Two weeks from now we begin the process of trying to fit a lens to the affected eye and see if we can come up with something that works.  If we can't get that done then I'm probably looking at a fun time this summer as we try to come up with a "better fit" graft.  I repeat... oh joy.

I will be around tomorrow, but probably not much more than last week.  That will be about half hurtin' eye and half "oh crap" doldrums.  I repeat... oh joy!  Poor me.  Nobody loves me, everybody hates me.  I guess I'll go out into the garden and eat some worms. <g>

Oh, to put my own "trials and tribulations" in some sort of context, will everyone please remember Tony Snow in your prayers?  I know all of this bunch is likely already doing so, but I want to make the gesture to one of my favorite people that there is out there.

Tony, we miss you and we love you.

I live by this motto, "I cried because I had no shoes, until I met a man who had no feet."  Every time I go to my surgeon and begin to feel even the least bit sorry for myself I just have to look around the waiting room and see the people there much worse off than I am.  And to think about dealing with cancer puts my petty problems firmly into perspective. 

[Chuck54]

Thanks as always Phsstpok. You are the greatest for gathering all this information.

I always enter the Sunday Morning Thread well ahead of the game.

[Txsleuth]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1809981/posts

Look for Dan Bartlett to be asked about THIS article tomorrow..of course. blech

[Bahbah]

You are going to feel an odd tug because of all of the people pulling for you. Do not be alarmed.

[maica]

The roundtable appears abbreviated this week, with Brit, Bill and Mara, but not Juan and apparently no substitute for him.

#####

Maybe since Chris Wallace has taken to participating as a dem partisan on the panel, 2+2 is really the correct number for "balance."

[Bahbah]

My thought about Hatch and McConnell are that they are both intelligent and effective people. They are both also decent human beings with standards. When Adolf Hitler began his takeover of Germany, some fine people opposed him. People with standards for their personal behavior. We all know how that worked out. I am as conflicted as these good men.

Diane Feinstein has been at the public trough for years enriching herself and her family. So has Harry Reid. There are others, of course. Until good people in positions of power speak up, what are we to do? We write and email and rage about it, but nothing is done. So what have we learned about people in our government? They will protect the wrongdoers if they are powerful enough. I throw up my hands. For the time being anyway.

[Txsleuth]

The David Asman special about Sandy Berger is on Fox starting right now.

[Txsleuth]

You have been through so much...and it sounds like you still face a lot more work on your eye.

I don't think I have ever thought for a second you have any self pity....I think you are quite brave, and a whole lot more "ambitious" considering your physical problems than I would be...

I appreciate every word you type...and I know you do suffer for doing it. I don't think I have thanked you enough.

I will pray that you and the Doc will get a contact lense that will work...I can squeeze that pray in between the one for Tony Snow, and the one for our country.

[rodguy911]

Leahy,hatch and rangel,what a crew with guests like that its time to sleep in.
great josb as usual P you always have the knack.

[rodguy911]

Its hard to get a sub for Juan no one quite that stupid.

[Barset]

Love the "exploitable eight" and Reverend Al's umbrage at the less than umber Obama. Laughed straight through; you must have "a merry heart" which "is a continual feast."

I am in awe of you doing all this for us, even under ordinary circumstances, but with your current vision problem, I am humbled. Thank you, Phsst, and you are in my thoughts and prayers for a good outcome.