February 28, 2008
At least a few of our readers have figured it out already, but here goes: We've been winding things down at The Gate for the last couple of weeks, and today we formally say goodbye. Actually, we prefer John McLaughlin's way of doing things, so we say: Bye-bye!
It has truly been an honor and pleasure to write for and interact with you. (Even the Ron Paul fanatics who hate us because we don't cover him enough.)
The Gate would have turned a year old next month, but we're pretty proud of the more than 1,700 posts we've churned out. Most memorable for me -- Jane Roh -- was covering the U.S. attorney firings investigation, which culminated with the resignation of Attorney General Alberto Gonzales in August, and liveblogging the David Petraeus/Ryan Crocker hearings in September. It's been an intense and rewarding experience, and I'll always be grateful for those opportunities.
And then there's our campaign coverage, where I've gotten some witty and insightful assists from fellow Deputy Managing Editor Irene Tsikitas. The abundant and frequently silly MSM campaign coverage wore us out at times, but it's been a real honor covering what is likely the most pivotal presidential election of my lifetime. (Won't miss liveblogging those debates, though.)
You can tell by the accompanying photo that we had lots of fun along the way, too. Thanks to our online graphics team, Ryan Merrill and Reuben Dalke, for gamely producing myriad image requests.
As for me, I am leaving National Journal and moving on. I will still be participating in the Horserace '08 weekly radio roundtable on the campaigns, so look for me on air and online. To keep up with my whereabouts and reporting, visit me on Facebook. If you want to weigh in on the demise of The Gate, e-mail thegate[at]nationaljournal.com.
Thanks for reading along. I enjoyed writing for you.
-JANE ROH
Posted at 3:27 PM
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Attorney Scandal, Campaigns, Iraq, WH 2008
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Senate Democrats are inching toward including an energy tax plan as part of budget legislation to overcome a Republican-led obstacle there, as the House yesterday reaffirmed its support of repealing billions of dollars in incentives for oil and gas companies in a stand-alone measure.
While House Democrats have pushed through similar proposals this Congress with majority support, Senate Democrats have been unable to get the 60 votes needed to overcome a Republican filibuster.
Senate Democrats have mulled including an energy tax plan that repeals oil and gas company incentives to pay for extending and expanding renewable energy and efficiency incentives as part of a filibuster-proof budget reconciliation bill.
See CongressDaily (subscription) for the full story.
Posted at 9:19 AM
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Congress, House, Senate
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World. Rivals in Kenya have signed a deal forming a coalition government, ending the violence that has killed 1,500 since the disputed elections in December.
Administration. President Bush appointed the first U.S. special envoy to the Organization of the Islamic Conference -- a Texas Muslim named Sada Cumber.
Courts. The Supreme Court yesterday heard arguments on Exxon Mobil's appeal of a $2.5 billion award to those harmed by the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill.
Congress. A bill that would more than triple the funding for the global AIDS initiative got a stamp of approval from both parties in the House as well as the White House yesterday.
Economy. During testimony on the Hill yesterday, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke told lawmakers that he is concerned about the economic downturn and that the Fed would consider further cuts in interest rates.
Iraq. Turkey is ignoring U.S. demands to end its incursion into Kurdish-controlled northern Iraq.
See Earlybird (subscription) for more of this morning's headlines.
Posted at 9:16 AM
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February 27, 2008
Media fixation on the March 4 primaries as do-or-die contests for Hillary Rodham Clinton guaranteed that last night's debate -- the final one before voters in Ohio, Rhode Island, Texas and Vermont go to the polls -- would get a lot of attention, but it was something of a surprise to see Clinton turn some of that attention back on the media.
Clinton called MSNBC's moderators out for going easy on Barack Obama, telling Brian Williams that she is used to always being tapped for the first question on any given topic. (Slate has a lengthy explanation of Clinton's comment about the SNL skit mocking the media for fawning over her rival.)
A question about the North American Free Trade Agreement sparked Clinton's comment last night at Cleveland State University. NAFTA is particularly delicate territory in bellwether Ohio, which has a high proportion of blue-collar workers concerned about jobs going overseas.
Continue reading "Clinton & Obama: The Alamo Debate In Ohio"
Posted at 12:07 PM
Posted to:
Barack Obama, Campaigns, Democrats, Hillary Rodham Clinton, WH 2008
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Conservative icon and National Review founder William F. Buckley Jr. died this morning at the age of 82 at his home in Stamford, Conn. Citing his son Christopher, the New York Times reports that Buckley suffered from diabetes and emphysema, although the exact cause of his death is not yet known. He was reportedly found at his desk at home. "He might have been working on a column," his son said.
At The Corner, Kathryn Jean Lopez posted a tribute to the National Review's "dear friend, mentor, leader, and founder":
He died while at work; if he had been given a choice on how to depart this world, I suspect that would have been exactly it. At home, still devoted to the war of ideas.
As you might expect, we'll have much more to say here and in NR in the coming days and weeks and months. For now: Thank you, Bill. God bless you, now with your dear Pat. Our deepest condolences to Christopher and the rest of the Buckley family. And our fervent prayer that we continue to do WFB's life's work justice.
Buckley's final column, posted on NRO Feb. 2, is a recap of the preceding debate between Democratic presidential candidates Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama in Hollywood. Reflecting his love of the written word, the column is largely an homage to "Fowler's Modern English Usage."
Posted at 11:40 AM
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The White House yesterday threatened to veto a Senate Democratic housing stimulus package, saying it would cost too much and rewrite bankruptcy rules that would undermine current mortgages.
In a Statement of Administration Policy [PDF], the Bush administration listed many items that it objected to in Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's bill of direct aid and consumer-friendly initiatives designed to help homeowners who cannot afford to pay their mortgages because they took predatory loans. It said many of the provisions are "unnecessary, costly, and counterproductive."
The White House opposed a provision sponsored by Senate Majority Whip Richard Durbin, D-Ill., that would allow a judge to change the terms of a primary mortgage that has entered into foreclosure. Durbin reworked his provision to pick up support, such as credit union lobbying groups that received a carve-out for members that made interest-only loans for those with good credit histories.
Continue reading "White House Threatens Veto Of Mortgage Reform Measure"
Posted at 9:12 AM
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Bush Administration, Congress, Economy, Senate
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Administration. President Bush is threatening to veto legislation that would remove nearly $18 billion in tax breaks for oil companies if the bill makes it through Congress.
Congress. The Senate has renewed debate on the Iraq war, with Democrats pushing discussion on a bill that would cut off funding.
Iraq. The Turkish military's continued presence in Iraq after an incursion into the Kurdish-dominated north prompted Baghdad to call for an immediate withdrawal of Turkey's troops.
Nation. The number of deportations of illegal immigrants is on the rise.
Courts. The Supreme Court ruled yesterday on a job-discrimination case about bias in corporate culture.
See Earlybird (subscription) for more of this morning's headlines.
Posted at 9:05 AM
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February 26, 2008
The Financial Times is reporting that the North Korean government has invited Eric Clapton to perform. The invitation comes on the heels of a historic visit by the New York Philharmonic to the Hermit Kingdom.
Judging by the New York Times' account of the intensely emotional concert, we can't even begin to imagine how "Slowhand" will be received. That is, by those North Koreans who have actually been permitted to listen to the British guitar icon's music.
FT reports that Clapton agreed to a concert "in principle," although his reps have yet to confirm it. Rock and pop are banned in North Korea. Some will have fun imagining Kim Jong Il rocking out to "Cocaine" -- but AP reports that his son, Kim Jong Chol, is the family's Clapton fan.
Continue reading "North Koreans Reportedly Love 'Layla'"
Posted at 3:31 PM
Posted to:
Asia, Japan, North Korea, Nuclear Weapons, South Korea
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