WASHINGTON, March 27 (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 the mend -- U.S. Rep. John Shadegg, R-Ariz., returned to his Phoenix-area home just 72 hours after undergoing coronary bypass surgery. Shadegg was admitted to Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center in Phoenix Friday after routine tests detected a problem. He expects to be back to work by the time the spring district work period ends on April 9.
Sounds Greek to me -- President Bush proclaimed March 25 as "Greek Independence Day," marking the occasion with a meeting with His Eminence Archbishop Demitrious, the head of the Greek Orthodox Church in America, at the White House Monday morning.
A proclamation issued by the president said, in part, "Ancient Greece was the birthplace of the democratic principles and thought that fundamentally shaped the growth of democracy in world history.... As modern Greece celebrates the anniversary of its independence, won 181 years ago, Greeks can be proud that its vibrant democracy continues and that it is based upon the beliefs in freedom and self-rule first forged in classical Greece over 2500 years ago. ... embraced by peoples of the world who aspire towards democracy, including the Founders of the United States; and they were tested by the attacks of September 11, 2001. The terrorists sought to destroy a political and economic system that promotes individual freedoms and tolerance, defends national liberty, and supports the full participation of its citizens in the democratic process. The terrorists failed; but rather than destroying us, their attacks strengthen our resolve to stand up to this evil. Along with the members of our worldwide coalition, including Greece, we are committed to defeating terrorism and protecting liberty."
Minnesota madness -- Freshman GOP Rep. Mark Kennedy, R-Minn., has opted to seek re-election in the newly drawn 6th Congressional District rather then in the newly configured 2nd, which he currently represents. The move, which acknowledges the placement of his home in the 6th C.D. in the new map, pushes Kennedy into a race with U.S. Rep. Bill Luther, D-Minn., who has squeaked through to re-election by increasingly smaller margins.
Kennedy will not have to get by former U.S. Rep. and Sen. Rod Grams, R-Minn., who is saying he will not be a candidate for the seat. Early speculation had that he was considering a return to public life. In 2000, as a first-termer senator, Grams was defeated by multi-millionaire Mark Dayton, 49 percent to 43 percent.
Adding to the confusion is that John Kline, a retired Marine colonel who almost defeated Luther in 1998 and 2000, is being urged to run in the new 2nd Congressional District in which Kennedy chose not to run. There is also speculation that Rep. James Oberstar, D-Minn., who currently represents the 8th Congressional District, might run in the new 6th -- swapping his safe seat with the marginal Luther. Some feel that the 14-term veteran Oberstar would be the tougher opponent for Kennedy.
So much for promises -- The American Life League is unhappy with President Bush. ALL President Judie Brown says he broke a promise when he authorized public funding for human embryo research. "Now," Brown says, "he is compounding that breach of trust. His nominee for NIH director is a man who has pushed embryo destruction at Johns Hopkins University and will undoubtedly promote embryo killing on the federal level."
The administration has selected Elias Zerhouni of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine as director of the National Institutes of Health. The league says Zerhouni was a driving force in establishing the Institute for Cell Engineering, "which intends to advance embryonic stem cell research" and could, according to Brown, benefit greatly from NIH grants.
Happy their at the helm -- The Global AIDS Alliance is praising a new proposal by Sens. Jesse Helms, R-N.C., and Bill Frist, R-Tenn., to allocate $500 million in emergency spending to help stop the global AIDS epidemic. The proposal would immediately fund the purchase of medications that help block the transmission of the AIDS virus to newborns. However, the GAA is unhappy that the Helms-Frist proposal includes a private sector match requirement that could lower the total dollar figure.
The GAA is urging that the amount be increased to $700 million and broadened in scope. "It's not enough to solely prevent HIV infection of newborns," GAA Executive Director Dr. Paul Zeitz said. "We must also provide ongoing treatment of the mothers and fathers living with AIDS, so that they may live to raise their children. ... A policy that ignores parents' needs for lifesaving triple-drug AIDS treatment is one that fosters greater destruction of families and increases in the number of orphans."
It all seems kosher -- Lobbyist Jack Abramoff, who routinely appears on the list of Washington's most powerful and influential people, reportedly has a new venture in the offing. The entrepreneurial Abramoff is said to be putting together the city's first upscale, New York-style deli -- something that most everyone can agree the city sorely needs.
Personnel notes -- Christian Josi, the longtime executive director of the American Conservative Union, is leaving the group to become a vice-president at Nichols-Dezenhall Communications, a public relations and crisis communications firm based in Washington.
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