October 8, 2008 4:39:47 AM CDT
(Newser) – Analysts were surprised to see the name of retired general James Jones on Barack Obama's vice-presidential shortlist yesterday, but Noam Scheiber, in the New Republic thinks he knows what the former NATO commander was doing there. Per Bob Woodward’s most recent book, Scheiber notes Jones was so put off by Donald Rumsfeld he refused to interview for the Joint Chiefs chairmanship.
Jones considered resigning to protest the management of the Iraq war, and told Gen. Peter Pace, who did get the JCS job, not to be a “parrot on the secretary’s shoulder.” He told several congressmen that the Chiefs had been “systematically emasculated” by Rumsfeld. Politico quickly pours cold water on the pick, though, noting that Jones and John McCain go way back.
Sources New Republic, Politico
Sep 5, 08 4:21 AM CDT The Bush administration conducted an extensive spying operation on Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and other Iraqi leaders even while seeking to win their trust, according to a new book from the Washington Post's Bob Woodward. The book portrays an administration hamstrung by indecision as its Iraq strategy fell apart in 2006, and a detached president orchestrated "overconfident" briefings on the situation. More »
Aug 27, 08 10:01 PM CDT Joe Biden accepted his party's nomination to be vice president tonight, then took to the podium to pound the theme that John McCain will offer nothing more than a third Bush term, CNN reports. "John McCain doesn't seem to get it," said Biden, stressing his own humble roots and decrying the dire financial straits of blue-collar families. "Americans need more than a good soldier," he said, referring to McCain's war record. "They require a wise leader." More »
Aug 24, 08 4:29 PM CDT The newly announced Obama/Biden ticket predictably dominated the talk shows today. Politico gives the run-down:
Aug 17, 08 1:19 PM CDT Top Obama surrogate Sen. Joe Biden announced today that he’s heading to Georgia, joining McCain surrogatges Joe Lieberman and Lindsey Graham. The move bodes well for both Biden, who’s been much-discussed as a possible vice president, and Obama, who needs to seem active as McCain dispatches men and talks with key leaders of the conflict almost daily, Talking Points Memo reports. More »
Aug 11, 08 5:20 PM CDT Republican vice presidential hopeful Tom Ridge is campaigning with John McCain in Pennsylvania today, CNN reports. McCain and ex-Pennsylvania governor Ridge started the day meeting with employees at a GE plant. Asked what he would do on first taking office, McCain replied, “Call Tom Ridge to Washington from whatever vacation he is taking and get him to work." More »
Barack Obama • John McCain • Iraq • vice president • Donald Rumsfeld • Bob Woodward • James Jones
