(Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki. AP photo: Khalid Mohammed)

by Frank James

Who could blame President Bush or Sen. John McCain for privately fuming right about now since Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki has just delivered a big gift with a bow on top to Sen. Barack Obama by embracing his 16-months timetable for withdrawing U.S. combat troops from Iraq.

Maliki said as much in an interview with the German magazine Der Spiegel. Here is the relevant excerpt:

SPIEGEL: Would you hazard a prediction as to when most of the US troops will finally leave Iraq?

Maliki: Those who operate on the premise of short time periods in Iraq today are being more realistic. Artificially prolonging the tenure of US troops in Iraq would cause problems. Of course, this is by no means an election endorsement. Who they choose as their president is the Americans' business. But it's the business of Iraqis to say what they want. And that's where the people and the government are in general agreement: The tenure of the coalition troops in Iraq should be limited.

by William Neikirk

President Bush said at his press conference Tuesday that he was withholding judgment on a new economic stimulus package until the results of the last one are clear.

Then the Labor Department reported today that, as a result of soaring inflation at the consumer level, the average inflation-adjusted wage in June was down 0.9 percent, the biggest drop in nearly two years.

That sounds like an answer, doesn't it, Mr. President?

In "real" terms, the average American's standard of living is falling. Since economic growth is so heavily dependent on consumer spending, a good jolt of government stimulus could well be in order once again.

Because the economic news is so grim these days, Democrats in Congress are preparing for another stimulus measure, which could include more tax cuts or some "targeted" spending to help the least fortunate. They are talking about a $50 billion package.

Those concerned about the budget deficit are not so hot on another tax cut that would require the U.S. to borrow from financial markets (including China and Japan) to pay for it.

But one could also argue that doing nothing could raise the deficit, too, if the economy sinks into a deep downturn, causing a plunge in government revenue. Another stimulus package could well be a safety net against a deep recession.

At this time, it appears the U.S. economy is being driven by two main sources--exports (because of the cheaper dollar) and government spending, which includes those stimulus checks.

by Mark Silva

President Bush, asserting that the American banking system remains strong at a time of troubling bank failures, today declined to predict when the economy will regain steam.

"I'm not an economist... But I do believe that we're growing,'' Bush said at a White House press conference this morning, asked when the economy might turn around. "I'm an optimist.''

Asked if the economy might turn around before he leaves office in January, Bush said he'd like it to turn around tomorrow.

"I'm also realistic enough to know that things don't change on a dime,'' the president said at this, the first full press conference that he has held since late April.

And the president, conceding that the war "is going better'' in Iraq than it is in Afghanistan -- with American casualties in the Afghan fighting exceeding those of U.S. losses in Iraq in recent weeks - insisted in the face of new campaign-trail criticism that the U.S. is waging a "two-front war'' and will prevail in both fights.

"The question really facing the country is, will we have the patience and determination to succeed in these two theaters,'' he said, offering a wish that "whoever succeeds me will understand that we're at war'' and the importance of winning in both.

Bush, who had said at a press conference in February that he hadn't "heard'' that gasoline prices might reach $4 per gallon this summer, said today: "I've heard of it now.''

by Matthew Hay Brown

No sooner had President Bush blamed rising gasoline prices on Democratic intransigence this afternoon than congressional leaders dismissed his decision to lift the executive ban on offshore drilling as a political stunt.

"Once again, the oilman in the White House is echoing the demands of Big Oil," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said. "The Bush plan is a hoax. It will neither reduce gas prices nor increase energy independence. It just gives millions more acres to the same companies that are sitting on nearly 68 million acres of public lands and coastal areas."

"I've been in Washington long enough to know a political stunt when I see one," said Rep. Rahm Emanuel, chairman of the House Democratic Caucus. "The good news is the American people won't be fooled. If the President wants to lower gas prices, he should stop hosting press conferences and start taking action."

Bush's Rose Garden announcement amounted to the latest salvo in a monthslong battle over energy policy while the cost of oil has continued to climb. Republicans - and growing numbers of Americans generally - have favored opening up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and offshore areas to exploration.

"For years, my administration has been calling on Congress to expand domestic oil production," Bush said during his Rose Garden announcement. "Unfortunately, Democrats on Capitol Hill have rejected virtually every proposal - and now Americans are paying at the pump."

Bush's decision to lift the ban imposed by his father on drilling in the outer continental sheft leaves only a congressional prohibition in place. He called on lawmakers to remove it forthwith.

"The only thing standing between the American people and these vast oil resources is action from the U.S. Congress," he said. "Now the ball is squarely in Congress' court. Democratic leaders can show that they have finally heard the frustrations of the American people by matching the action I've taken today, repealing the congressional ban, and passing legislation to facilitate responsible offshore exploration."

by Katie Fretland

In an effort to reduce pressure on oil prices and increase supply of domestic oil, President Bush today lifted a ban on offshore drilling. But that does not mean drilling will start immediately. An order by Congress remains in place.

"This is a difficult period for millions of American families," Bush said. "Every extra dollar they have to spend because of high gas prices is one dollar less they can use to put food on the table or send a child to school. And they are rightly angered by Congress' failure to enact common-sense solutions."

Bush said increasing access to offshore exploration of the Outer Continental Shelf is one of the most important steps the country can take. He laid blame on Democrats who he said have rejected "virtually every proposal" to expand domestic oil production.

"... Congress has restricted access to key parts of the OCS since the early 1980s," Bush said. "Experts believe that these restricted areas of the OCS could eventually produce nearly 10 years' worth of America's current annual oil production. And advances in technology have made it possible to conduct oil exploration in the OCS that is out of sight, protects coral reefs and habitats, and protects against oil spills."

by John M. Glionna

SAN FRANCISCO -- For many residents of this liberal bastion, President Bush's name is mud. Now activists here want to make that moniker stick.

A group calling itself the Presidential Memorial Commission of San Francisco this week submitted a proposal to rename a sewage treatment plant after the outgoing chief executive in recognition of the political and environmental "mess" they say will be his legacy.

Supporters submitted 12,000 signatures with San Francisco election officials, hoping to place on the ballot an initiative that would rechristen the Oceanside Water Pollution Control Plant as the George W. Bush Sewage Plant.

"We think this is a fitting tribute to this president," said Brian McConnell, a member of the group, whose insignia shows the presidential seal with a bald eagle holding two plungers. "It's fair to say that we're going to be cleaning up a substantial mess over the next decade or more, thanks to Bush. Environmental degradation. A war in Iraq that cost $1 trillion- plus. It's going to be a big job."

Republicans aren't amused by the gesture. "It doesn't dignify a response," White House spokesman Trey Bohn said of the initiative.

John M. Glionna writes for the Los Angeles Times. Read the full article on the proposed George W. Bush Sewage Plant at latimes.com.

by Frank James

Another example of how tough it is to be president. You can get in trouble for complimenting the local vegetables when on a foreign trip without causing a controversy.

The Wall Street Journal has a small story about domestic asparagus growers being ticked off after President Bush lauded German asparagus during a June visit to Germany during which the president described the Teutonic version of the missile-shaped vegetable as "fabulous."

The Journal reports that this resulted in the president receiving a shipment of American asparagus:

"Anyone who enjoys asparagus is missing out if they haven't tried the asparagus we grow in Washington," said Rep. Doc Hastings, a Republican. To make sure the president wasn't missing out, he and Democratic Sen. Patty Murray shipped 10 pounds of domestic asparagus to the White House.

But interesting as that is, it's not the best part of the story. That would be this bit of information which will no doubt come as news to many people. It was certainly news to me:

American asparagus farmers have been struggling in recent years against cheaper imports. Shipments from Peru and Mexico now account for almost 80% of America's fresh-asparagus market by volume. Imports of Peruvian asparagus had increased to 87 million pounds by 2006 from four million pounds in 1991. The U.S. in the early 1990s began subsidizing Peru's asparagus industry and eliminated import tariffs to encourage an alternative crop for coca growers, hoping to stem the flow of Andean cocaine.

So American asparagus growers have been sacrificed to the drug war? Think on that the next time you're in the produce section checking out those spears.

by Matthew Hay Brown

Three months ago, congressional Democrats began pressing President Bush to halt new shipments to the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. Today, with gasoline prices still climbing, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi asked him to begin drawing the reserve down.

"Deploying a small portion of the resources in the SPR would provide much needed assistance to American consumers facing record prices and help our economy during a serious period of instability," Pelosi wrote to Bush. "I strongly urge you to use every available tool, including deployment of the SPR, to provide timely relief for American consumers and businesses."

Bush initially resisted the calls to stop adding 60,000 barrels of oil each day to the giant undergound caverns in Texas and Louisiana where the reserves are stored, but relented after Congress passed legislation to do so by veto-proof margins.

It's unclear whether Pelosi's current request will garner the same bipartisan support.

"The fact is, the American people expect and deserve far more than what Speaker Pelosi is proposing," House Minority Leader John Boehner said in a statement. The Ohio Republican did not indicate whether he favored drawing down the reserve.

"With her call for President Bush to release supplies from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, the speaker is admitting yet again that increasing the supply of oil will help reduce the price of gasoline," Boehner said. "I agree that more supply is necessary, and so do my House Republican colleagues who have been arguing for decades in favor of more American energy production."

Pelosi's letter follows.

by Katie Fretland

Human rights groups have asked for a boycott of the Beijing Olympics--a call that was answered by British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and German Chancellor Angela Merkel. But President Bush has defended his decision to attend the opening ceremony.

Bush said during a news conference ahead of the G8 Summit that skipping the opening ceremony would be "an affront to the Chinese people" and discourage frank dialogue with China. The Olympics is an opportunity to cheer on U.S. athletes, Bush said.

China's human rights record has come under fire, following its crackdown on anti-government riots in Tibet earlier this year. The Chinese government reported that 22 people died in violence in Lhasa, the capital of Tibet, but supporters of Tibet reported that many more were killed.

Last week, Congressmen Chris Smith (R-N.J.) and Frank Wolf (R-Va.) urged Bush to boycott the Olympics, unless China improves the way it treats dissidents.

Bush said Sunday there has been progress in China in talks with the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan spiritual leader. Bush said he hopes to meet with China's President Hu Jintao to discuss religious freedom.

"I have been very clear in my view that, for example, a whole society is one that honors religion, and that people shouldn't fear religious people," Bush said. "After all, truly religious people love their neighbor, and that China benefits from people being able to worship freely.

By Clarence Page

Even Robert Mugabe can't escape the age of YouTube.
The British Guardian has posted video of state-sponsored vote rigging by Zimbabwe's aspiring president-for-life that would put an old-school Chicago precinct captain to shame.

The video, shot by a Zimbabwean prison officer for the British Guardian, can be viewed here .
There have been numerous reports of killings, torture and stolen votes in Mugabe's recent anointment, but this is the first known evidence to be captured in video.
Opposition Morgan Tsvangirai, who has experienced beatings and detention from Mugabe's 28-year-old regime himself, pulled out of the election to stop the waves of violence and intimidation against his own supporters.

Though Mugabe was the only candidate, he directed voters to turn out for him anyway because he didn't just want to win. He wanted a landslide.

What he got was a "ZANUslide," according to at least one Zimbabwean journalist on-the-run . ZANU-PF is the acronym for Mugabe's political party, Zimbabwean African National Union-Popular Front.

by Matthew Hay Brown

In his final Fourth of July weekend in the White House, President Bush takes a stab today at defining the American creed.

"In the United States, we believe in the rights and dignity of every person," he says this morning in his weekly radio address. "We believe in equal justice, limited government, and the rule of law. And we believe in personal responsibility and tolerance towards others."

Bush takes the opportunity to talk about the citizenship ceremony he attended Friday, and traces the service of American soldiers from Bunker Hill to Baghdad.

The complete address follows.

by Frank James

President Bush was heckled today by anti-war and civil-liberties protestors at an Independence Day naturalization ceremony he attended at Thomas Jefferson's old slave-plantation home, Monticello.

As the president started his speech protesters, at least one of whom appeared to be from the group Code Pink, started shouting "war criminal" and "fascism" at the president.

Bush, who doesn't even generally like to be interrupted by cell phone ring tones while he's talking, appeared to take the interruption in stride.

In fact, he adeptly played off the protestors to make a point about American democracy.

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you, and happy Fourth of July. (Applause.) I am thrilled to be here at Monticello. I've never been here before. (Audience disturbance.)

To my fellow citizens to be, we believe in free speech in the United States of America. (Applause.)

That Bush had never been to Monticello before was perhaps the biggest news of the event. Monticello is right up there with George Washington's Mount Vernon in terms of places that are must-sees on the list of presidential sites. For a man who has a helicopter at his disposal, it seems he would have made what's around a 100 mile trip as the crow flies a lot sooner than the last few months of his second term.

Of course, a president doesn't really plan his itinerary; the staff does. In any event, we're glad he got to Monticello and we hope he took the tour. Jefferson was quite the innovator. For instance, he designed a dumbwaiter that brought wine up from his basement wine cellar into the dining room and placed a bed where a wall separating two rooms, his study and bedroom, would normally be, allowing him to roll out of bed to either area, depending on what he wanted to do.

You can view the entire speech or read the transcript.

(Photo by Adrian Bradshaw / EPA)

by Frank James and David Nitkin

In the time-honored Washington tradition of waiting until the last minute before a weekend or holiday to drop controversial news, the White House waited until the eve of the Independence Day holiday to announce that President Bush will attend the opening ceremonies of the Beijing Olympics.

Here's the press release where they buried the lead, not mentioning until the last sentence that the president will be in Beijing for the pageant-filled start of the games. (Though, true to form, White House announcements of impending trips typically spell them out in chronological order.)

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary

In South Korea, President Bush and President Lee will discuss regional and global security issues as well as their commitment to getting their respective legislatures to ratify the U.S.-Korea free trade agreement, which will bring important benefits to workers, farmers, ranchers, and entrepreneurs in both the United States and Korea. The President will then travel to Thailand to celebrate 175 years of the U.S.-Thailand relationship and to discuss issues bilateral and regional issues with Prime Minister Samak. In China, the President looks forward to seeing President Hu and other senior Chinese leaders for discussions on a wide range of issues including the way ahead on North Korean denuclearization. The President and Mrs. Bush will attend the Opening Ceremonies of the Summer Olympic Games on August 8.

by Katie Fretland

The United States is urging the U.N. Security Council to consider sanctions that would freeze the financial assets of Zimbabwe's president who won a disputed election marked by political violence.

Robert Mugabe won last week's widely-condemned election for his sixth term as president. Foreign observers reported that the few voters who cast ballots voted out of fear, amid violence in which opposition supporters were killed.

According to the text of a draft resolution, Washington proposes to also freeze the assets of 11 Mugabe officials and ban them from traveling outside the country, The Associated Press reports. The United States is also pushing for Mugabe to negotiate with the opposition party to form a unity government.

Earlier this week in Cairo, Mugabe rejected the idea to share power with the opposition, the Los Angeles Times reports. Mugabe spokesman George Charamba told reporters that the West "can go hang a thousand times. They have no basis, they have no claim on Zimbabwe politics at all."

The election was a final blow to hopes of democracy and diplomats predict the fleeing of up to a million refugees, the Chicago Tribune reports.

"On the death list are some who won't get that chance," correspondent Paul Salopek writes.

"Zimbabwe's shelves are bare. With inflation now orbiting almost meaninglessly at over 2 million percent, the country has become a surreal land of 16-billion-Zimbabwe-dollar chicken legs. Whole chickens aren't available. And Mugabe exhausted his meager treasury by handing out a last few mini-buses and farming tools to sway his cowed and slat-ribbed electorate."