United States president George W. Bush addressed the United Nations General Assembly this morning. Bush discussed the importance of “advancing the vision of freedom,” assisting developing nations, and sharing common goals.

Bush discussed the importance of pursuing those who spread terror. “We must not relent until our people are safe,” the president stated.

Listen to Audio File (3:04) – Bush on the UN’s Role in Fighting Terrorism at the General Assembly

 

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Testifying before the House Judiciary Committee Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) says that the war in Iraq was totally unnecessary, unprovoked and unjustified. (0:32)

 

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Rep. Lynn Woolsey (D-Calif.) says that while President George Bush spends billions of dollars on the War in Iraq, he is neglecting our economy at home. In addition, while spending trillions of dollars overall in Iraq, he refuses to invest in America’s longterm economic success. (:31)

 

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When asked about water boarding, former Attorney General John Ashcroft said that it has proved very valuable. The intelligence received from enhanced interrogation techniques has saved the lives of Americans. President Bush has a duty to do everything within the law and within his power to work against terrorist attacks. (1:30)

 

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Former White House Press Secretary under George W. Bush Scott McClellan testified under oath before the House Judiciary Committee. McClellan presented the committee with his knowledge of the lead-up to the war in Iraq and the Valerie Plame leak, two topics he discusses in his book “What Happened: Inside the Bush White House and Washington’s Culture of Deception.”

McClellan stated that he did not know if the leak of former covert CIA agent Valerie Plame was used as a way to further criticize Plame’s husband, Ambassador Joseph Wilson. In his book, McClellan says that he finds it unlikely that President Bush would have authorized Scooter Libby to leak classified information and said he cannot rule out Vice President Cheney give the authorization. Rep. Robert Wexler (D-Fla.) said that the statements made in McClellan’s book are enough to consider impeachment proceedings on Cheney.

On the Iraq War, McClellan said that counterevidence is crucial in the lead-up to a war and that the Bush White House ignored evidence that was contradictory to the administration’s goals. Though he admitted Bush never used words like “shade the truth” or “propaganda,” McClellan said that the war was presented to Americans in those manners.

McClellan explained that the purpose for writing his book was to share his experiences with the American people and to analyze how a popular governor became a polarizing president, frequently beginning his responses by reminding the committee that he discussed the answer in his book. Rep. Lamar Smith (R-Texas) posed questions to McClellan that challenged his motivations for writing the book, asking about the political positions of the book’s editors and inquiring on the profits McClellan will receive. After McClellan repeatedly said “Can I finish my response?” as Smith interjected with additional questions, Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) apologized to McClellan, stating that the committee’s purpose was to investigate topics discussed in the book, not to question McClellan’s character.

Congressman and Republican presidential contender Ron Paul (R-TX) addressed a crowd at a discussion and signing to promote his new book, The Revolution: A Manifesto, currently a number-one bestseller on Amazon.com. Dr. Paul, who will continue to run for the presidency despite Sen. John McCain’s (R-AZ) presumed nomination, said the purpose of his book is to “galvanize” the American people and foster enthusiasm about civil liberties and a return to American libertarian principles.
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At the CWA conference, Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) says he has opposed the Iraq war since the beginning, and is the one candidate who can stand up to John McCain with credibility and say no to a “hundred year occupation of Iraq and a George Bush third term.” (0:26)

 

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President George Bush endorses Sen. John McCain as the Republican nominee for president in the Rose Garden at the White House and McCain responds to the endorsement (2:57)

 

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