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The Hardball Briefing On MSNBC
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**Hardball with Chris Matthews tonight 6:30 pm to 8 eastern**
I don't want to sound like a broken record on the time thing folks but we need to be
clear on the matter...It's a branding issue really...Chris will anchor MSNBC coverage
tonight from 6:30 to 8 pm eastern/ 3:30 pm pacific...And if you thought I was being
cheeky yesterday with the talk of my brother messing up the time zone thing, dig this
letter from Tim in Hollywood I found this morning in The Briefing mailbag:
"Like your brother, I also made that mistake last night. I usually get this in my
afternoon e-mail, so I'm not used to Chris being on at 3:30pm Pacific Time. Us
Californians are used to seeing Hardball in the evenings, so 6:30pm sounded right to
me too. Thanks for pointing it out though."
Thanks for checking in Tim...Always good to hear from our readers...
And don't forget, tomorrow night we're live from 8-10 pm eastern on MSNBC...Order in
dinner and spend Saturday night with Chris and the gang at MSNBC...I won't bore you
with all the talk of "we'll have the latest news from the front"....You know that as a
Hardball/MSNBC fan...You rely on us for that and I needn't remind you
constantly...Even Trent Lott told us last night that he tunes in to MSNBC for the
latest news and that he's a big Lester Holt fan...I forgot to pitch him on the
Briefing though...Maybe next time...
Be that as it may, in addition to the latest news, here's some of the guests we're
efforting: Scarborough, Kyl, Raghida and Luntz, Michael Short (retired General type),
Rick Francona (another retired military guy...He's got the lowdown on Saddam) and
Howard...
Oh, and I almost forgot...We got AEI's Michael Ledeen...He's one of those neocon hawks
that Chris has sparred with in the past over this war...Here's a rather compelling
quote from him in today's Washington Post...
Ledeen: "I think the level of casualties is secondary. I mean, it may sound like an
odd thing to say, but all the great scholars who have studied American character have
come to the conclusion that we are a warlike people and that we love war. . . . What
we hate is not casualties but losing. And if the war goes well and if the American
public has the conviction that we're being well-led and that our people are fighting
well and that we're winning, I don't think casualties are going to be the issue."
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A40017-2003Mar27.html
Big story to keep an eye on:
WashPost: General - A longer Iraq war is likely....The Army's senior ground commander
in Iraq said Thursday that overextended supply lines and a combative adversary using
unconventional tactics have stalled the U.S. drive toward Baghdad..."The enemy we're
fighting is different from the one we'd war-gamed against," Wallace, commander of V
Corps, said during a visit to the 101st Airborne Division headquarters here in central
Iraq. http://www.msnbc.com/modules/exports/ct_infobeat.asp?/news/891872.asp
Although you're familiar with Olbermann's filler reportage, we've decided at MSNBC to
make him a fixture at the network..."Countdown with Keith Olbermann"...Veteran news
and sports anchor returns to MSNBC as host of new primetime program
http://msnbc.com/news/892155.asp
Also, I spoke with Caddell a few minutes ago...Don't worry we'll bring him back...He's
on fire and mad as Hell, but you knew that already...
The Hardball Briefing was written, compiled and edited by Dominic Bellone from
Washington, DC
Complete Coverage on the web 24/7 http://iraq.msnbc.com
At this hour....
One U.S. Marine has been killed in an accident and four have gone missing after
fighting in southern Iraq, the U.S. Central Command said on Friday. (Reuters)
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=2467388
Fresh explosions shook the Iraqi capital Friday night and Arabic-language television
stations said more than 50 Iraqis had been killed in what they said was an air raid on
a marketplace in the city (Reuters)
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml;jsessionid=1OBBBGA51HTXMCRBAEOCFEY?type=topNews&storyID=2468032
White House officials on Friday denied U.S. war planners were caught off guard by
Iraqi resistance on the road to Baghdad and said second-guessing by news reporters and
others was frustrating President Bush who believed the war was progressing "on track."
(Reuters)
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml;jsessionid=1OBBBGA51HTXMCRBAEOCFEY?type=politicsNews&storyID=2467882
Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld issued a stern warning to Syria on Friday to stop
sending military equipment to Iraqi forces, saying such shipments have included
night-vision goggles. (AP)
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&cid=540&ncid=703&e=1&u=/ap/20030328/ap_on_re_mi_ea/war_us_military
NBC Backgrounder on the Fedeyeen:
IN AT LEAST TWO ANALYSES--ONE WRITTEN LAST MONTH--THE CIA LAID OUT THE POTENTIAL
THREAT POSED BY IRAQI IRREGULARS, INCLUDING THE FEDAYEEN AND BAATH PARTY LOYALISTS.
"THOSE WHO SAY WE DIDNT WARN THEM WERE NOT READING THEIR HOMEWORK," SAID ONE SENIOR US
OFFICIAL FAMILIAR WITH THE ANALYSES.
"THEY WENT ON AT SOME LENGTH ABOUT THE THREAT. YOU READ THIS AND IT SOUNDS LIKE A
SCRIPT".
THE SIX-PAGE FEBRUARY ANALYSIS--CLASSIFIED ONLY AT THE SECRET LEVEL--
WAS TITLED "IRAQ: POTENTIAL RISKS IN REAR AREAS". IT NOTES THAT THE LOYALISTS COULD
BE EXPECTED TO USE "RPGs AND SMALL ARMS." IT ALSO STATES "COMMITTED LOYALISTS COULD
POST THE GREATEST THREAT TO US FORCES IN THE REAR AREAS" AND USE "HIT AND RUN TACTICS,
SMALL ARMS, RPGS" AND "LAY LANDMINES".
THE ANALYSIS ALSO PREDICTED THAT SOME OF THE LOYALISTS WOULD BE "DRESSED IN CIVILIAN
ATTIRE" AND WOULD USE "URBAN AREAS AS BASES TOP THREATEN SUPPLY LINES USING GUERILLA
TACTICS".
"TO BE FAIR," THE OFFICIAL SAID, "WE FOCUSED MOSTLY ON THE THREAT OF WMD, BUT WE
CLEARLY POINTED OUT THIS THREAT IN BOTH THE FEBRUARY REPORT AND ANOTHER ONE IN
NOVEMBER". THE OFFICIAL SAID THAT THERE WERE SUMMARIES IN OTHER REPROTS AS WELL.
Despite mounting criticism that they failed to anticipate the strength, resolve and
tactics of Iraqi forces - including pointed comments from a U.S. general in the field
- U.S. military planners insisted Friday that they have sufficient military might in
place to topple Saddam Hussein and a war plan flexible enough to overcome whatever the
enemy throws at them. (MSNBC) http://msnbc.com/news/842500.asp?0cv=CA01
The U.S. Central Command on Friday rejected suggestions that U.S. planners had
underestimated Iraqi troop strength and fighting ability in preparing the invasion of
Iraq, challenging the assessment of a U.S. general in the field. However, in An
Nasiriyah - a southern city where the Americans hadn't expected to be challenged -
Marines battled Iraqi fighters for the third day in a row in street combat.
http://www.msnbc.com/modules/exports/ct_infobeat.asp?/news/870749.asp
Thunderous explosions rocked Baghdad on Friday and a towering column of churning
orange smoke rose over the skyline in some of the mightiest bombardment of the Iraqi
capital in days (AP)
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20030328/ap_on_re_mi_ea/war_baghdad&cid=514&ncid=514
Signs of U.S. POWs found at hospital...U.S. Marines who secured a hospital that had
been used by Iraqi forces later found several bloodied U.S. uniforms worn by female
soldiers, NBC's Kerry Sanders reported Friday from the hospital.
http://www.msnbc.com/modules/exports/ct_infobeat.asp?/news/889604.asp
The US military plans to send 100,000 more troops to Iraq in the next month,
effectively doubling its forces on the ground. (ITV News)
http://www.itv.com/news/1155246.html
Richard Perle, one of the architects of the U.S. war on Iraq, resigned on Thursday
from his post as chairman of the influential Defense Policy Board amid calls from
Congress for a probe of his business dealings. (Knight Ridder)
http://www.kansas.com/mld/kansas/5498573.htm
Missteps With Turkey Prove Costly...Diplomatic Debacle Denied U.S. a Strong Northern
Thrust in Iraq (The Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A39794-2003Mar27.html
A highly publicized U.S. campaign to persuade senior Iraqi military and civilian
leaders to surrender has failed to produce any significant defections, and U.S.
intelligence officials have concluded that those closest to President Saddam Hussein
are unlikely to give up. (LA Times)
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/iraq/battle/la-war-intel28mar28,1,3119600.story?coll=la%2Dhome%2Dheadlines
The first ship bringing humanitarian aid to Iraq since the start of a U.S.-led
invasion arrived at Umm Qasr, Iraq's only deep-water port, late Friday afternoon. The
arrival of the Sir Galahad, a British naval supply vessel carrying 200 tons of food,
medicine and blankets and also water, had been delayed because of mines in the
waterway. http://www.msnbc.com/news/887467.asp
Iraqis hold back open support...Fear of Saddam Hussein and uncertainty about U.S.
staying power temper the enthusiasm at the prospect of being free from oppressive rule
in Umm Qasr, in southeastern Iraq. (The Washington Times)
http://washingtontimes.com/world/20030328-1360026.htm
After ordering U.S. military commanders to target Saddam Hussein in the first air
strikes of the war, President Bush has given them authority to attack the Iraqi leader
again without his prior approval. (AP)
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&cid=540&ncid=703&e=1&u=/ap/20030328/ap_on_re_mi_ea/war_bush_as_commander
CEO Bush Takes Over War Message...He has been called a CEO in wartime, a chief
executive content to delegate to his generals and to cheerlead from the Oval Office.
But President Bush has played a somewhat different role in the war with Iraq, and like
the planners at the Pentagon, he has been forced to adapt to the realities of the
battlefield. (The Washington Post) http://msnbc.com/news/892070.asp?0cv=CB10
Anti-Hussein Officials Rebuke Unilateral U.S. Battle Strategy...Dissidents Say Failure
to Incorporate Iraqis Constitutes 'War of Conquest' (The Washington Post)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A34762-2003Mar26.html
Anyone looking for a strongly dovish alternative to the foreign affairs and national
security policymakers advising President Bush would be hard pressed to find it among
the analysts and former diplomats advising the leading Democratic presidential
hopefuls. (The Forward) http://www.forward.com/issues/2003/03.03.28/news4.html
After he tagged President Bush as a diplomatic failure and sparked a national
firestorm almost two weeks ago, Sen. Tom Daschle, D-S.D., said Thursday he believes
his remarks were ill-timed. (Rapid City Journal)
http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/articles/2003/03/28/news/local/top/news01txt
Israelis Seem Unconcerned About Iraqi Attack...The ambivalence of the Israeli public
toward the potential threat that sent 39 Scud missiles smashing into Israel during the
Persian Gulf War has left the government trying to maintain a precarious balance. (The
Washington Post) http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A38652-2003Mar27.html
President Bush will push Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon hard on a Middle East
peace plan once the war in Iraq is over, Secretary of State Colin Powell was quoted as
saying on Thursday. (Reuters)
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=politicsNews&storyID=2461654
Go Sammy Go Corner...
Peter Arnett's Baghdad Diary -- ask him a question!!!
http://www.msnbc.com/news/883204.asp
Joe Scarborough on HBAll - commenting on war so far (Day 6)
http://www.msnbc.com/news/891217.asp
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Antonia Zerbisias: Fog of coverage paved the way for war...TV belatedly turning
critical lens on itself
http://torontostar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1035779956241&call_page=TS_Columnists&call_pageid=970
Opinion/Editorial
Novak: No cakewalk http://www.townhall.com/columnists/robertnovak/rn20030327.shtml
Deals and promises...Some pundits argue that the Shiites in southern Iraq haven't
welcomed coalition troops as advertised because the U.S. let them down in 1991. But
the charge that the Shiites shouldn't trust us because we broke our promise is wrong.
http://www.msnbc.com/modules/exports/ct_infobeat.asp?/news/891279.asp
The Wall Street Journal: The Iraq Tipping Point...What it will take to topple Saddam
and his sons. http://www.opinionjournal.com/editorial/feature.html?id=110003263
Henniger: Taking Sides...The Iraq war will divide the world--for the better.
http://www.opinionjournal.com/columnists/dhenninger/?id=110003264
Sweet: Bush, Blair see UN role in Iraq, but differ on details
http://www.suntimes.com/output/sweet/cst-nws-map28.html
Doonesbury http://www.ucomics.com/doonesbury/
Mallard Fillmore http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/fun/mallard.asp
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