Last week was a bruising one for the White House. As well as the Libby indictment, it saw the US death toll in Iraq pass the 2,000 mark and the humiliating withdrawal of Mr Bush's supreme court nominee, Harriet Miers. In a bid to regain the news agenda, Mr Bush yesterday announced a major bird flu initiative, but the Democrats' move will ensure this morning's newspapers and TV shows are again dominated by the Iraq intelligence row... Jamie Wilson, Guardian 11/2
“The Libby indictment provides a window into what this is really all about, how this administration manufactured and manipulated intelligence in order to sell the war in Iraq and attempted to destroy those who dared to challenge its actions,” Reid said before making the motion which sent the Senate into a closed-door session. Democratic Whip Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., told reporters, “tomorrow is the one-year anniversary of the last election, Sen. Roberts said he could not initiate Phase II because of the last election, another year has passed, there is no deadline…. The American people are entitled to this information.”... Tom Curry at MSNBC 11/1
There was serious speculation that the Democrat might force the Intelligence Committee chair to stop stonewalling. Reid--like his predecessor, Tom Daschle--has rarely been as bold as the times have demanded. And the nation has suffered as a result. But Tuesday he had mounted a challenge that is appropriate and necessary. As such, he merits the high praise of being referred to not as a Democrat or a Republican but as the leader of the opposition that this country has so sorely needed. We can only hope that Reid will, by his actions in coming days, seek to retain the title.... John Nichols in The Nation 11/1
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