------------------------------------------------------ The Hardball Briefing On MSNBC ------------------------------------------------------
Hardball airs tonight on MSNBC at 7p, 11p & 4a ET & 4p, 8p & 1a PT Find MSNBC on your TV http://www.msnbc.com/CableOperator.asp MSNBC also is on your XM satellite radio on channel 130 Big day in Iraq as power is officially handed over from the United States to Iraqis themselves two days earlier than originally scheduled...While they'll have sovereignty, U.S. troops will still be on the ground to provide security...So now what? We'll bring you the latest from Baghdad and tell you what it means from the perspective of a few foreign policy heavyweights: Norman Schwarzkopf, fmr. Clinton national security chief Sandy Berger & former Bush '41 Secretary of State Lawrence Eagleburger.... Howard's in the house tonight and he'll do the politics of the transfer and what it means for the race for the White House...Shuster is working on a set up package to layout the political particulars... And finally, Michael Moore's controversial new documentary "Fahrenheit 9/11" hit theaters over the weekend and took in near $22 million bucks, making in #1 in box office earnings and the highest grossing documentary of all time...We'll Ray Bradbury's take...He wrote the legendary sci-fi thriller "Fahrenheit 451", the book from which Moore derives his title...A "must read" for those interested in the pernicious effect of a totalitarian government... And oh yeah, Andrea Mitchell fills in for Chris... Dominic Bellone wrote, compiled and edited The Briefing from Washington, DC Militants: Marine held hostage...An Arab TV network broadcast a videotape on Sunday showing a blindfolded man in military uniform it said was a U.S. Marine taken hostage in Iraq. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5310187/ Early handover in Iraq...The U.S.-led coalition transfers power to an Iraqi government two days early, in an apparent bid to frustrate insurgents opposed to the new government. (MSNBC) http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5312795/ "The Iraqi people have their country back," President Bush declared in Istanbul, where he is attending the NATO summit. "We have kept our word." (The Washington Post) http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A10917-2004Jun28?language=printer The Bush administration welcomed the early transfer of political power in Iraq Monday and said it would strengthen the new government's hand to deal with rampant violence and the threat of terrorism. (MSNBC) http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5313897/ With Iraqi sovereignty restored, the State Department will assume the dominant role in shaping Bush administration policy on Iraq, Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage said Monday. (AP) http://apnews.myway.com/article/20040628/D83G4L0O0.html Is history repeating itself?...Americans try their hand at resolving the 'Mesopotamia question' http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5313721/ Subdued reaction on streets of Baghdad...Happiness tempered by fear of more violence, uncertain future http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5316060/ Post Analysis: Iraq occupation erodes Bush doctrine...Setbacks test foreign policy...The occupation of Iraq has increasingly undermined the core tenets of President Bush's foreign policy, according to a wide range of Republican and Democratic analysts and U.S. officials. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5311406/ Court rules U.S. can hold citizen as 'enemy combatant'...But justices say detainees can mount legal challenge to harsh treatment (MSNBC) http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5316401/ NATO to help train Iraq's armed forces...Alliance also agrees to boost force in Afghanistan (AP) http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5282414/ Saddam to face Iraqi judge soon, official says...Ex-leader to remain in physical custody of U.S. (Reuters) http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5314794/ With thousands of Republicans set to invade the city this summer, high-priced escorts and strippers are preparing for one grand old party (NY Daily News) http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/story/206962p-178564c.html The choice for voters: Health care or tax cuts...Policy costs crowd out other initiatives (The Washington Post) http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5311849/ Picket line keeps Kerry from mayors' meeting...He cancels Boston appearance over planned police demonstration (AP) http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5315908/ Sammon: President Bush's re-election campaign is ridiculing what it calls "John Kerry's coalition of the wild-eyed," which includes filmmaker Michael Moore and former Vice President Al Gore. http://washingtontimes.com/national/20040628-123409-3914r.htm Fineman: How to Run For Veep...The final lap: Some make deals. Others show off their public support. There are a lot of ways to curry favor. But only John Kerry knows what will work http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5305082/site/newsweek/ Candidates Take Aim at Sportsmen's Vote...Group Seen as Factor in Swing States (The Washington Post) http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A10525-2004Jun27?language=printer Kerry lacking coherent message...John Kerry is having problems crafting a message that connects with the swing voters and parts of his Democratic base that his presidential campaign needs to win in the battleground states, several analysts say. (The Washington Times) http://washingtontimes.com/national/20040628-123408-5008r.htm Teresa Heinz Kerry controls a family fortune valued at nearly $1 billion, the Los Angeles Times reported Sunday. (AP) http://apnews.myway.com/article/20040627/D83FJMF81.html Majority Leader Bill Frist refused on Sunday to criticize Vice President Dick Cheney for cursing on the floor of the Senate in a confrontation with a Democratic senator. (AP) http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5316384/ Michael Moore's "Fahrenheit 9/11" took in a whopping $21.8 million in its first three days, becoming the first documentary ever to debut as Hollywood's top weekend film. (AP) http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5310191/ Moore says 'Fahrenheit' success 'mind-boggling'...Director credits political detractors for boosting ticket sales (AP) http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5316390/ U.S. Customs and Border Protection has begun the first sustained civilian use of unmanned aerial vehicles, as part of a $10 million Department of Homeland Security initiative aimed at gaining "operational control" of the Arizona-Mexico border. (The Washington Times) http://washingtontimes.com/national/20040628-123415-2931r.htm Irish television viewers tuning in to watch coverage of President Bush's visit to their country may have seen a bit more of him than expected. Cameras filming Dromoland Castle, the 16th-century estate where he was staying, inadvertently caught a glimpse through a window of the president changing his clothes, and sent an embarrassed Irish government scrambling to suppress release of the images. (AP) http://apnews.myway.com/article/20040626/D83EUV9O0.html Opinion/Editorial Fund: Bad ACTors...If Dems want honest elections, why did a Soros-backed group hire criminals to get out the vote? http://www.opinionjournal.com/diary/?id=110005278 Bob Dole: Gauging our Success http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A10683-2004Jun27.html Katrina's editors' cut: Nader--Unsafe at Any Speed...The Green candidate is sane enough to make the distinction between Kerry and Bush. http://www.thenation.com/edcut/index.mhtml?bid=7 ========================================= This email is never sent unsolicited. You have received The Hardball Briefing Newsletter because you subscribed to it or, someone forwarded it to you. 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