brainrow

From the Washington Post:

“The evidence we have today indicated we have been deceived and betrayed for a number of years by a highly respected and trusted individual,” said Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.), the NRCC chairman.

Could it be? Are Republicans finally catching on to George W. Bush?

Sadly, no:

The former treasurer for the National Republican Congressional Committee diverted hundreds of thousands of dollars — and possibly as much as $1 million — of the organization’s funds into his personal accounts, GOP officials said yesterday, describing an alleged scheme that could become one of the largest political frauds in recent history.

For at least four years, Christopher J. Ward, who is under investigation by the FBI, allegedly used wire transfers to funnel money out of NRCC coffers and into other political committee accounts he controlled as treasurer, NRCC leaders and lawyers said in their first public statement since they turned the matter over to the FBI six weeks ago.

Hey, over in the Republican Party, this is known as “an entrepreneurial spirit.”

You have to feel sorry for John McCain:

Iraqi leaders have failed to take advantage of a reduction in violence to make adequate progress toward resolving their political differences, Gen. David H. Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, said Thursday.

McCain has based his presidential campaign on the notion that “the surge is working.” It was a brave position to take early on, when it just seemed like more of the Bush policy of “keep doing what doesn’t work.” The surge looks better now, with violence down and Iraqis stepping up to fight al Qaeda murderers in Iraq.

But Iraqi politicians have failed to achieve — even to pursue — political reconciliation during this period of reduced violence. When the surge ends, does the deadly chaos in Iraq return to pre-surge levels? If so, what’s the solution? Oh, that’s right — John McCain has said he’s fine with keeping U.S. forces in Iraq for 100 years.

U.S. troops giving their lives to establish order in Iraq hasn’t motivated Iraqi politicians. I wonder: will the prospect of having those troops withdrawn motivate them to make the deals necessary to hold their country together?

General Petraeus testifies to Congress next month. I’m not alone in guessing that he’ll say we need “another six months” to fully assess the situation. Let’s see — just two hundred more of those six-month extensions and John McCain gets his wish.

Encouraging words from America’s most discouraging human being:

President George Bush has attempted to restore confidence in the US economy, amid the deepening financial crisis.

Speaking at the Economic Club of New York the President acknowledged that growth had slowed but said that the economy is basically sound.

Omigod! Sell! Sell! Sell!