WASHINGTON, Dec. 11 (UPI) -- Capital Comment -- Daily news notes, political rumors, and important events that shape politics and public policy in Washington and the world from United Press International.
On second thought...
The resignations of Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill and National Economic Council Chairman Larry Lindsey did not catch members of the White House senior staff by surprise. They had, according to one source close to the White House, been in the works for almost a week before they were announced. The president indicated that he wanted to fill the positions quickly, and the speed with which CSX Chairman John Snow was found and announced gives credence to that. The delay in naming a replacement for Lindsey, widely rumored to be former Goldman Sachs Chairman Stephen Friedman, suggests his selection may be in trouble.
Friedman is viewed by many of the president's strongest supporters as too concerned about deficits and not as concerned with the efficacy of tax cuts to stimulate economic growth. "There are strong concerns that Friedman would not be able to sell the president's tax cut agenda because he has never shown any inclination to believe in those policies," said Steve Moore, president of the supply-side group Club for Growth. Others names being floated for the post include Richard Rahn, former U.S. Chamber of Commerce chief economist, and the Heritage Foundation's Dan Mitchell. Another name frequently mentioned is Glenn Hubbard, chairman of the president's Council of Economic Advisers, under a scenario that would have him holding down both jobs.
No more secrets...
Former Washington state Sen. Slade Gorton, a Republican, is the latest appointee to the commission investigating the terrorist attacks of September 2001. The former member of the Senate Armed Services, Intelligence and Appropriations committees was named to the post by incoming Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, R-Miss. Gorton, who is affiliated with the Seattle-based law firm of Preston, Gates, served in the Senate from 1980 to 1986 and again from 1988 to 2000. The National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States is a 10-member group established by Congress to investigate and make a full accounting of the circumstances surrounding the attacks and to make recommendations for reform. The Republican and Democratic leaders in the House and Senate will each name two members to the panel, chaired by former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger. Gorton is Lott's first selection.
Location, location, location...
Sen. George Allen, R-Va., wants the Bush administration to consider putting the headquarters of the new federal Department of Homeland Security in the Old Dominion. In letters sent Tuesday to President George W. Bush and Homeland Defense Secretary-designate Tom Ridge, Allen makes the case for Virginia, saying, "Virginia is already home to the Pentagon, the headquarters of the Central Intelligence Agency and numerous other programs and installations involved in protecting the safety and freedom of Americans." Allen, who served a term as Virginia's governor, says its proximity to Washington as well as major military and technological centers makes it an ideal place to put the new department.
Pink for peace...
Anyone in shouting distance of the White House during the Tuesday lunch hour could not have missed the several hundred marchers protesting the war against Iraq. Carrying signs and banners bearing anti-Bush, anti-war, anti-Israel or anti-oil company slogans, the protesters chanted and sang songs against the prospect of armed conflict with Saddam Hussein. The demonstration was one of close to 30 held around the country in honor of International Human Rights Day, sponsored by a coalition of liberal organizations including the National Organization for Women, Peace Action and the National Council of Churches. Across H Street on the north side of Lafayette Park, the Women's Peace Vigil passed out fliers in opposition to the war for their bright pinkness.
What can a dollar buy today?
U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao announced Tuesday that a toll-free hot line had been set up to help current and former employees of Dollar Tree Stores Inc., collect more than $582,200 in back wages and interest. The payback comes after the department determined the company failed to pay overtime to certain workers from May 12, 2000, through May 11, 2002.
The department's investigation found that Dollar Tree Stores did not include night premium pay and incentive bonuses in computing the overtime pay rate. Workers who believe they may be owed back pay who have not received a notice from the chain may telephone 1-866-4USWAGE for assistance.
Fighting for what's right...
The United States Helsinki Commission, a human rights monitoring group, held an interparliamentary forum on Capitol Hill on Tuesday to discuss ways to combat anti-Semitism in Europe. Scheduled to participate in the discussion are U.S. Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., Dr. Juliane Danker-Wetzel of the Center for Research on Anti-Semitism at the Technical University in Berlin, Ken Jacobson of the Anti-Defamation League, World Jewish Congress President Rabbi Israel Singer and Arkadi Vaksberg, deputy head of the Moscow Pen Center.
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