Free Republic

ormer White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan writes in a surprisingly scathing memoir to be published next week that President Bush “veered terribly off course,” was not “open and forthright on Iraq,” and took a “permanent campaign approach” to governing at the expense of candor and competence. Among the most explosive revelations in the 341-page book, titled “What Happened: Inside the Bush White House and Washington’s Culture of Deception” (Public Affairs, $27.95): —McClellan charges that Bush relied on “propaganda” to sell the war. —He says the White House press corps went too easy on the administration. —He admits that some...

President at odds with NRA, a powerful ally WASHINGTON, May 8 — The ban on assault weapons has put President Bush at odds with the National Rifle Association, a powerful lobby he counts among his staunchest supporters. The question is whether to extend the ban on the weapons, which expires next year. Bush says yes; the NRA says no.