------------------------------------------------------ The Hardball Briefing On MSNBC ------------------------------------------------------
Hardball airs tonight 7p, 11p & 4a ET and 4p, 8p & 1a PT The Hardball 7th Anniversary juggernaut steamrolls through Cleveland tonight for a one on one exclusive interview with Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry at the Slovenian National Home where Kerry continues his "Jobs First Bus Tour" in key midwestern battleground states...We'll do most of the show with Kerry and then get some political reax from reporters and also bring you up to speed on the U.S. assault on Fallujah...If you're near a TV flip on MSNBC for the latest...For those who don't have a TV nearby, msnbc.com has posted a 5 minute video clip for your benefit http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4824213/ "I can hear more than 10 explosions a minute. Fires are lighting the night sky," one witness told Reuters. "The earth is shaking under my feet." http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=4959470 Btw, Officials with the Marine 1st Division our telling NBC's Kevin Sites that the attack was prompted by a sizable insurgent force attacking Marine position...The AC-130 gunship pounding was a respondent measure... The Marines also just released this press statement: 1st MARINE DIVISION BLUE DIAMOND HQ, AR RAMADI, IRAQ Press Release 04-027 Marines prepare for joint patrols with ICDC, Fight off night attack Marines and members of the Iraqi Civil Defense Corps began rehearsal for joint patrols, which will soon begin in Fallujah. ICDC, Iraqi Police Service and Marines will team up to patrol the streets of Fallujah. This is a deliberate step toward returning control of the city to Iraqi authorities. The patrol rehearsals began yesterday outside of Fallujah, with ICDC personnel and Marines practicing the integration of their forces, communications procedures and reactions to ambushes. Marines are committed to assisting authorities in Fallujah establish an effective presence. In Gharma today, Marines and Navy Seabees surveyed the ground for a project to convert an old military compound into a medical clinic. Marines and Seabees also met with local sheiks to gain their input for the plan. Marine Defenses Attacked During the Night Anti-Iraq forces attacked Marines in defensive positions in Fallujah shortly after 10 p.m. tonight, again violating the current cease-fire. Marines responded by directing precision weaponry against the enemy forces in order to defend themselves. ### We'll bring you up to speed at 7p ET with the latest...With the breaking news we may have to shift things around a bit but definitely count on Kerry and the latest from Fallujah...Plus, maybe a little somethin' somethin' on the Pennsylvania primary... Hardball 7th Anniversary homepage (updated with Bandar video from last night...scroll down) http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4759855/ Thursday we'll discuss Iraq with Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld... Dominic Bellone wrote, compiled and edited The Hardball Briefing from Washington, DC Fun Clinton News: Bill Clinton Memoir Set for June Publication...First Printing of 'My Life' To Be 1.5 Million Copies (The Washington Post) http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A43670-2004Apr26.html Curry: Cheney's day before Supreme Court...Sierra Club, Judicial Watch eye energy task force http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4830129/ President Bush's approval ratings have climbed during April despite growing instability in Iraq and the deadliest month for U.S. forces there since the invasion last year.(AP) http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4838461/ Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry told voters from Ohio's rust belt on Tuesday that President Bush's record on job creation should be described as "mission not accomplished." (AP) http://apnews.myway.com/article/20040427/D827AQN00.html John Kerry, a decorated Navy veteran criticized by Republicans for his anti-war activities during the Vietnam era, lashed out at President Bush on for failing to prove whether he fulfilled his commitment to the National Guard during the same period. (AP) http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4836412/ The White House said Tuesday it expects that President Bush rather than Vice President Dick Cheney will handle most of the questions when they appear jointly Thursday before the commission investigating the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. (AP) http://apnews.myway.com/article/20040427/D827A1MO0.html At the administration's request, Thursday's unprecedented questioning of a president and vice president at the White House will not be recorded and a transcript will not be made. (Reuters) http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=4958955 Congressional oversight of intelligence criticized...Reports on Iraqi arms, al Qaeda threat receive little attention (The Washington Post) http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4839412/ More troops suffering severe head wounds...Injuries prove devastating for doctors, too (The Washington Post) http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4839405/ Last Spanish combat troops leave Iraq...Logistics crews will pull out by May 27 (MSNBC) http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4845463/ The Pentagon's rush to modernize the military boosted quarterly financial results for U.S. defense contractors such as Lockheed Martin Corp. and Rockwell Collins Inc. , the companies said on Tuesday. (Reuters) http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml;jsessionid=Y1NLYMUDNXHAQCRBAELCFFA?type=businessNews&storyID=4958934§ion=news Milbank: In Minn., Bush Takes a Cue From Clinton...Bite-Size Proposals on Internet Access, Fuel Cells and Medical Records Highlighted http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A44653-2004Apr26.html Ex-Iraq hostages billed $21,000...The three Japanese who were held hostage in Iraq -- and returned home last week amid a storm of criticism -- have been billed $21,000 for the cost of transportingthem back to Japan. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4843265/ Penn. Republicans vote in key Senate race...Specter faces challenge from conservative in primary (AP) http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4836654/ International Red Cross officials visited Saddam Hussein at a secret prison in Iraq on Tuesday, the eve of his 67th birthday, officials said.(Reuters) http://news.myway.com/top/article/id/86706|top|04-27-2004::13:25|reuters.html Opinion/Editorial Miniter: Defensive Diplomacy...How Donald Rumsfeld brings people together. http://opinionjournal.com/columnists/bminiter/?id=110005008 Oliphant: I watched Kerry throw his war decorations http://www.boston.com/news/politics/president/articles/2004/04/27/i_watched_kerry_throw_his_war_decorations/ David Campbell: Dad ... what's a terrorist? http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/04/22/1082616260498.html ========================================= 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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