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The Hardball Briefing On MSNBC
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As winter approaches, the sun sets earlier here in the capital, and that late
afternoon darkness is taking on a heavier meaning lately as the list of
political investigations, scandals, and criminal charges continues to grow for
members of Congress, former White House staffers, and beltway bureaucrats. Rep.
Randy "Duke" Cunningham (R-CA) resigned yesterday in his hometown of (sunny)
San Diego after pleading guilty to charges of accepting bribes and tax evasion.
Cunningham's admission came on the heels an expansion of Special Prosecutor
Patrick Fitzgerald's CIA leak investigation and a widening web of involvement
in Washington in the investigation of lobbyist Jack Abramoff's dealings.
Hardball's David Shuster will fill us in on the latest developments in the leak
probe and map out the larger picture of ethical investigations that are
underway. Attorney Stan Brand, former counsel to the House, will be here to
explain the impact of these scandals. Also, Newsweek's Howard Fineman and the
Washington Times' Tony Blankley, guys who know a few things about congressional
corridor conversations, will join Chris to talk about the politics of ethics
and what all of this means for both parties. You're going to learn
something...just be there.
Plus, Seymour Hersh of the New Yorker will talk with Chris about the Iraq War,
the president's mindset on it, and where his reporting indicates the war is
headed -- it could be in the air (literally). You can read Hersh's latest
report here: http://www.newyorker.com/fact/content/articles/051205fa_fact.
And you won't want to miss Chris' interview with Alan Alda. That's right, the
man who plays Sen. Arnold Vinick on NBC's "The West Wing," will be here to talk
about politics, acting, and his new book titled "Never Have Your Dog Stuffed."
Check out the Vinick campaign website here:
http://www.nbc.com/The_West_Wing/Campaign/Vinick_Sullivan/.
Here are some things you might not have read yet today:
--AP reports on President Bush's border inspection today
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10239677/
--Newsweek takes a big look at the roads within and out of Iraq
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10219753/site/newsweek/
--AP has highlights from an interview with CIA Director Porter Goss
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10250860/
--George Will contemplates money in politics in Newsweek
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10216905/site/newsweek/
--Doonesbury http://www.doonesbury.com/strip/dailydose/index.html
Brooke Brower compiled the "Hardball Briefing" in Washington, D.C.
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