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Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) is demanding an apology on the Senate floor by Sen Dick Durbin (D-IL) for his remarks comparing US interrogators at Guantanamo Bay to Nazis, Soviets, and Pol Pot.
In a letter to Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), Frist said that previous opportunities for Durbin to clarify his remarks did not go far enough.
"Subsequent statements by Senator Durbin indicate only that he was regretful if people misunderstood his remarks," Mr. Frist said. "We do not believe his remarks were misunderstood." As reported here, Durbin did not back away from his remarks, but blamed Republcans and the Bush administration for conditions in Guantanamo Bay.
The letter is the latest in a growing wave of criticism toward the Illinois Democrat. The list includes the Anti-Defamation League, White House spokespersons, Sen. John McCain, and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich. Gingrich has called for a censure of the senior senator from Illinois.
Jim Manley, a Reid Spokesperson called the letter "pathetic." "Republicans don't have an agenda, so they are trying however they can to pull attention away from the real problems facing the country," Manley said. "It is interesting to note that reporters got the letter before we did, as far as I can tell."
Actually, it is the Democrats who do not have an agenda, except the "agenda of no."
Frist tells Durbin to apologize on Senate floor-Nation/Politics-The Washington Times, America's Newspaper
Dick Durbin,Bill Frist
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FLASH EXTRA
A jury in Mississippi has convicted a former member of the Ku Klux Klan in the killings of three civil rights workers in 1964.
Edgar Killen was convicted of manslaughter in a case that brings back the memories of the struggle for civil rights in the South.
The 80-year old Killen could receive up to 20 years for each count.
More as this story develops.
Ex-KKK Member Convicted in 1964 Killings - Yahoo! News
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Other Interesting Items
With both sides pointing fingers, the nomination of John Bolton to be ambassador to the United Nations was blocked by obstructionist Senate Democrats. The vote fell six votes shy of the required 60 votes to close debate.
Republicans continue to claim that Democrats are only interested in blocking a good nominee who is necessary to the administration's goal of reforming the UN.
Democrats blame the president for not during over confidential documents. Documents that would be leaked by the democrats to embarrass Bolton or the President.
The defeat also signals a continued erosion of the leadership ability of Bill Frist (R-TN). Frist was unable to keep all Republicans in line to vote to close the debate.
As noted here yesterday, it is likely that President Bush will give Bolton a recess appointment to the position when Congress leaves for the July 4 holiday. The appointment would remain in effect until January 2007. At that time, the Senate may have a filibuster proof majority.
Democrats Block Vote on Bolton Nomination -- 06/21/2005
John Bolton
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DNC Chairman Howard Dean told democrats at a fundraiser in Boston that he will continue to use harsh rhetoric to describe Republicans in spite of criticism from inside the party.
"We are going to be much tougher and in-your-face with the Republicans when they say things that aren't true," Dean said, in an apparent response to criticism outside and inside the Democratic Party that he is using over-the-top language to rally his party. Hold on Mr. Dean, are you saying that reports of what you said in typical liberal outlets is not true. Republicans did not report what you were saying, the Washington Post, New York Times, and the Boston Globe did.
Later in the speech, Dean attacked Vice President Dick Cheney's remarks about Dean. In an interview last week, Cheney said, "Maybe his mother loved him, but I've never met anybody who does."
Dean's response show he did not understand what Cheney said. "I don't care if Dick Cheney likes my mother or not; we are going to fight back," Dean said. Cheney said nothing about liking your mother, only that she is the only one who likes you, Howard. Maybe you should find a staff that can accurately report what is being said.
When asked about his remarks about Republicans, Dean declined to answer directly. Instead he blamed Republicans and the "media circus."
Are the Democrats sure they want Dean to lead the party? If so, more races will be lost, and the Libertarians may become a viable party.
Dean raises cash, party spirits - The Boston Globe - Boston.com - Local - News
Howard Dean
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More later.
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