Brownback close to P2008 bid; General says Rumsfeld authorized prison abuses; Mainstream Dems.
November 26th, 2006
MONDAY NEWS UPDATE.BROWNBACK CLOSE TO P2008 BID; GENERAL SAYS RUMSFELD AUTHORIZED ABUSES.
US Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS) strongly hinted on ABC's This Week that he will soon make an official announcement on his likely Presidential candidacy. "We're very close with announcements ... and really considering whether we could bring a message to the country that needs to be discussed. I think there is room, on the Republican side, for somebody that's a full-scale conservative, that's an economic and fiscal and social conservative," he said. He is also a leading voice in Congress for US action to end the ongoing genocide in Darfur. Brownback has made several trips to Iowa, New Hampshire and other early contest states over the past year. Brownback -- the most socially conservative of the likely GOP candidates -- would need to rely on heavy support from the party's Religious Right base in order to gain traction ... Former US Army Brigadier General Janis Karpinski told Spain's El Pais newspaper that Defense Secretary Don Rumsfeld personally authorized in writing the mistreatment of prisoners in Iraq's Abu Ghraib prison. Karpinski was the commandant of the prison when the abuses took place. The letter authorized US contractors to use sleep deprivation, making prisoners stand for hours on end, and other similar techniques. "The handwritten signature was above his printed name [in the letter] and in the same handwriting in the margin was written 'Make sure this is accomplished,'" said Karpinski. She said she is now willing to testify against Rumsfeld in any court cases or hearings. The Pentagon declined comment on Karpinski's statements ... Incoming House Committee Chairs Barney Frank (D-MA) and John Dingell (D-MI) said they plan to advance an agenda for "mainstream America" in the next Congress. Because of that, according to Frank, don't look for the new House leadership to advance divisive, liberal hot button issues like gay-in-the-military, etc.
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