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The Hardball Briefing On MSNBC
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Break out the popcorn and TV trays folks because we're in for a long, fun
ride...Chris anchors coverage of SOTU from 7 to 8 pm ET...Keith takes over for
an hour and then Chris and company return for the speech at 9:01 ET until
Midnight...At the bewitching hour, Ron & Joe take over for "After Hours"
(Remember that from the conventions? With the smooth jazz bumper
music?)...They'll kick it for 2 hours for you late night insomniac types...
I'm not gonna spend all day convincing you on why you should watch...Devotees
of Hardball know that big Washington events are the nights that Chris lives for
and really shines...I told him he's going unscripted, unplugged and without a
net...Our 7 pm panel will consist in some part: Howard, Scarborough and Laura
Ingraham with a dash of David Gregory from the White House (lawn, I assume) and
White House spokesperson Nicolle Devenish...We'll also chat with Senators Trent
Lott and John McCain (I know folks, this is a record, 3 McCain appearances in 3
days!)...
At 8:30 Chris will jump in with Keith and "voice over" POTUS departure from the
White House en route to the Capitol...Chris will also want to show off his
knowledge of all the Members of Congress, Senators, cabinet et al. as they
arrive into the House chamber...
At 9 pm we toss to the speech and then the Dem response from Reid and
Pelosi...We'll of course have correspondents strategically placed throughout
the Capitol, White House and the Pentagon...Shuster will do Statuary Hall which
of course will serve as the post-game spin room....Our late night panel: Norah,
Meacham, Scarborough & Frum (author of Bush's 2002 "Axis of Evil" SOTU)...And
for those of you who stay up late with us, we'll bring you a special appearance
by Pat...
Our "friends" over at ABC News list a number of interesting things to look for
in tonight's speech...Here's one which provoked a chuckle: "Watch how often the
pool director chooses Sen. Clinton as the reaction cut-away."
So fire up the popcorn, the carryout, the TV trays, whatever and join us for
the fun...Live from the Nation's Capitol...
Dominic Bellone wrote, compiled and edited The Hardball Briefing from
Washington, DC
Fun MSNBC news: Tucker Carlson finally lands in his new slot at MSNBC
http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/entertainment/10791652.htm
His view of New Jersey? "When you live here, it's just Jersey," he reminded us.
"I'm embracing every aspect of it. 'The Sopranos' is a blueprint for life in
New Jersey, as far as I'm concerned." (Reliable Source) Click & Scroll
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A55646-2005Feb1.html
Bush to outline goals on Social Security, Iraq...State of the Union speech also
tackles democratic reform, domestic issues (AP)
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6898631/
This time, confident Bush primed...President expected to portray Iraqi vote as
policy vindication (SF Chronicle)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2005/02/02/MNGMUB49GL1.DTL
Presidential promises scorecard (USA Today)
http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/news/20050202/a_scorecard02.art.htm
Pope's condition 'improving'...Doctors optimistic, says Italy's health minister
(MSNBC) http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6886516/
Sunni cleric group calls Iraq's vote illegitimate...Mosul police chief sets
2-week deadline for insurgents (AP) http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6874656/
Former Texas Rep. Martin Frost dropped out of the race for Democratic national
chairman on Tuesday after failing to win the backing of organized labor,
winnowing the field to front-runner Howard Dean and three challengers. (AP)
http://apnews.myway.com/article/20050202/D880F0T80.html
Infighting hinders Homeland Security...Squabbles said to reduce department's
effectiveness (The Washington Post) http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6896595/
Chertoff vows to balance security and liberty...Homeland Security nominee faces
senators (AP) http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6894700/
The Senate won't vote Wednesday to confirm attorney general nominee Alberto
Gonzales, GOP senators say, in part because Democrats don't want to give
President Bush a success to talk about in his State of the Union speech. (AP)
http://apnews.myway.com/article/20050202/D880D8V80.html
A Purple Heart changes his stripes (DC Examiner)
http://www.dcexaminer.com/articles/2005/02/02/news/d_c_news/003anderson.txt
They may both be out of office, but Bill Clinton remains the ultimate boogeyman
for former Sen. Jesse Helms. In a fund-raising a letter for his senatorial
library, Helms invokes the specter of the former president leading the United
Nations after Kofi Annan retires next year (AP)
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=519&u=/ap/20050202/ap_on_re_us/helms_clinton&printer=1
Rep. Bobby Jindal is planning to demonstrate solidarity with Iraqi voters by
dipping a finger in purple ink before President Bush's State of the Union
speech Wednesday. (AP)
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=544&u=/ap/20050202/ap_on_go_pr_wh/state_of_union_purple_ink_1&printer=1
For better and for worse, Carville and Matalin spar - lightly (Home News
Tribune) http://www.thnt.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2005502020397
Entertaining for Their Countries...On Embassy Row, Some Important Meals Start
With a Hands-On Trip to the Market (Post Food Section)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A53638-2005Feb1.html
Recipe: Buffalo Wings
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A53645-2005Feb1.html
Power Struggle Grips the Club for Growth (NY Sun)
http://www.nysun.com/article/8587
Fidel Castro said Tuesday that U.S. President George W. Bush appears deranged,
and that Cubans would much rather live in the Caribbean island's "heaven" than
try and survive in what he said was Bush's corrupt, capitalist "hell." (AP)
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/F/FL_CUBA_US_CASTRO_FLOL-?SITE=FLPET&SECTION=STATE&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
Sex and the Yogi? No way, says Yankee legend Yogi Berra. The Hall of Famer is
suing Turner Broadcasting System for $10 million, claiming his moniker was
tainted when it was used in a racy ad for "Sex and the City." (NY Daily News)
http://nydailynews.com/02-02-2005/front/v-echo/story/277109p-237261c.html
Opinion/Editorial
Shafer: Together, Again...Judith Miller and Ahmad Chalabi.
http://slate.msn.com/id/2112900/
Pat: The American-Sunni War http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=42656
Carter: I Like Mike...Michael Chertoff isn't the Neanderthal he's been made out
to be. http://slate.msn.com/default.aspx?id=2112909
Terry: The Mud Puddle Preservation Plan
http://www.humaneventsonline.com/article.php?id=6474
Doonesbury http://www.ucomics.com/doonesbury/
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