*'CHILDISH' LEADERS RESPOND: After French President Jacques Chirac criticized Eastern European governments as "childish and irresponsible" and "not well brought up"-and also threatened to oppose their countries' admission to European institutions-for supporting the United States on Iraq (see page 3), leaders of those nations responded. "We thought we were preparing for war with Saddam Hussein and not Jacques Chirac," said Alexandr Vondra, deputy foreign minister of the Czech Republic.
Prime Minister Peter Medgyessy of Hungary said that he was "too well brought up to respond to comments like that." Adam Rotfeld, Poland's deputy foreign minister, said, "I would prefer if he expressed himself more politely." Ion Iliescu, Romania's president, said, "Jacques Chirac should regret such expressions, which are not in the spirit of friendship and democratic relationships."
*LAST COUNT: With the Democratic-led filibuster against U.S. Court of Appeals nominee Miguel Estrada continuing in the Senate now that members have returned from the Presidents' Day recess, Republicans are confident that all 51 GOP senators are solidly behind President Bush's nominee. And at least three Democratic senators-Ben Nelson (Neb.), Zell Miller (Ga.), and John Breaux (La.)-are also on board. But there are not enough (60) to thwart the filibuster.
Republicans are increasingly coming to the conclusion that the only way the 54-vote majority can be used to confirm Estrada is for Majority Leader Bill Frist (R.-Tenn.) to force the Democrats to begin a real, 24-hour-a-day filibuster. This will make clear to the public, say angry Republicans, the extent of the Democratic obstructionist tactics against the well-qualified Hispanic nominee. (See page 25.)
*REPRESENTATIVE PROTESTS? As the media give major play to demonstrations by the anti-war movement protesting any U.S. action in Iraq, recent surveys indicate the marches seem not to have persuaded the public. A just-completed Gallup/CNN/USA Today poll shows 63% of Americans nationwide support armed action against Iraq, while a CBS/New York Times survey finds 66% in favor of striking against Saddam.
*AND THEN THERE WERE TEN: Just as former House Democratic Leader Dick Gephardt (Mo.) last week made the official announcement that, as expected, he is running for the Democratic presidential nomination in '04, former Illinois Sen. Carol Moseley-Braun, who was beaten for re-election in 1998, also entered the Democratic sweepstakes. (See page 7.) In addition, Rep. Dennis Kucinich (Ohio)-a self-styled "FDR Democrat" and, like Moseley-Braun, an opponent of any Iraqi war-said that he, too, is exploring a bid for the presidency. With retired Gen. Wesley Clark likely to join the pack soon, that will bring to ten the number of Democrats announced or exploring a race for George W. Bush's job.
*PARTIAL-BIRTH BAN ON THE WAY: The Partial-Birth Abortion Ban, certain to be signed by President Bush after two vetoes from Bill Clinton, is on its legislative journey. HR 760, recently introduced by Rep. Steve Chabot (R.-Ohio), would ban the procedure, called by the American Medical Association (AMA) "not good medicine" and "not medically indicated."
Said original co-sponsor Rep. Pat Toomey (R.-Pa.), "Partial birth abortion is a heinous act that robs a baby of life just moments before and inches away from birth. I am pleased to join Congressman Chabot and so many other members in supporting this legislation. Last year the House passed this bill but the Senate failed to take action, thus preventing it from being sent to the President. Once again, I look forward to House passage and working with the Senate to get this bill to the President and signed into law this year." Since the favorable results of last fall's elections, President Bush has repeatedly mentioned the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban as one of his top legislative priorities.
*RADICAL FLORIDA PROFESSOR ARRESTED: University of South Florida Prof. Sami Al-Arian and seven others were arrested February 20 and charged with aiding terrorists. Atty. Gen. John Ashcroft accused Al-Arian of being the North American head of Palestinian Islamic Jihad. "The Palestinian Islamic Jihad is one of the most violent terrorist organizations in the world," said Ashcroft. "The Palestinian Islamic Jihad is responsible for the murder of over 100 people in Israel and the occupied territories, including at least two Americans: Alisa Flatow, age 20, and Shoshana Ben-Yishai, age 16." Al-Arian had been under investigation since 1995, and his university's board of trustees had voted to fire him in December 2001 even though he had tenure. Al-Arian has been fighting that decision.
