Determined bureaucracies a challenge to the policy process

While at a book review at the American Enterprise Institute, John Bolton spoke with his fellow panelists about the role the Bureaucracy plays in shaping policy. The forum addressed the late Peter W. Rodman’s book Presidential Command: Power, Leadership, and the Making of Foreign Policy from Richard Nixon to George W. Bush. The author and the panelists found that some of the bureaucratic practices often limited the number of options presented to those higher up, by deriving consensus and stifling dissent. Bolton said, “Secretaries of State and Presidents ought to welcome competing views, and then the higher level policy maker makes the decision.” Lack of accountability was also of concern to both author Rodman and the panel, who stressed that the the president and other elected officials are the ones who have legitimacy derived from the constitution and the democratic process. The panel met for approximately an hour and a half.

By Michael Ruhl, University of New Mexico - Talk Radio News Service

At the end, Bush praises Transportation Achievements

President Bush said that the Department of Transportation (DOT) has had an "impressive record" on providing safety to air travelers during his presidency. He called the last seven years of air travel the "safest ever."

In a speech at the DOT today, Bush singled out Transportation Secretary Mary Peters, saying she has done a "fabulous job" and calling her "a strong leader." He praised her response to the bridge collapse on Aug. 1, 2007 of Highway I-35 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. According to Bush, Peters led "a swift and effective federal response" to the bridge collapse, and stated that the bridge was reopened "months ahead of schedule."

The President also declared that this December the government will open military air space to civilian air craft in areas of the East Coast, Midwest, Southwest, and the West Coast. He also said that this holiday season, the government, in an attempt to protect consumers, will increase regulations on airlines. He claimed there would be higher compensation assured to consumers who lost bags on flights, and tougher penalties for airlines that do not reveal hidden fees.

According to Bush, the administration has "taken steps to address the source of most flight delays and cancellations across the country, and that would be the heavy air traffic around New York City." He said they have accomplished this because they have "improved our traffic control."

Bush said that it is important to be innovative in improving air travel over the coming years. He said the energy bill he signed last year "will save fuel and cut greenhouse gas emissions by specifying a national fuel economy standard of 35 miles per gallon by 2020."

Bush advocated that the private sector be the leader in providing advancement. He felt that the government should "provide incentives" to "develop new technologies, invest in our infrastructure, and help make our transportation system worthy of the 21st century."

Humphrey Institute: What Are Americans Looking For?

Journalists, a self-proclaimed adult pollster, and a political consultant participated in a panel discussion about the American electorate, the top issues in this election, and the emergence of Gov. Sarah Palin (R - AK) at the Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota on Tuesday morning.

According to the United Nations Foundation and Public Opinion Strategies Americans, left, right, and swing, show consensus on the importance of three issues: America's dependence on foreign oil, terrorism, and the global economy.

Co-founder of Public Opinion Strategies Bill McInturff said all Americans want a "balance of toughness and diplomacy" as a presidential attribute. Editor and publisher of The Cook Political Report Charlie Cook both argued Palin's selection removed John McCain's advantage with the experience argument – especially regarding national security. McInturff spoke last and said, "I think the electorate is far from resolved about who is going to be president."

Bush Legacy Bus in town for the RNC

Today the Bush Legacy Tour stopped in St. Paul to display their exhibition about the Bush administration. The converted greyhound bus contains information on the energy crisis, the Katrina disaster, the war in Iraq and other areas where the Bush Administration has been publicly criticized. According to tour Press Secretary Julie Blust, the purpose of the bus tour is to expose people to the failing policies that George W. Bush implemented during his days as the President of America, and to ensure they are not continued. "McCain will be a continuation of the Bush legacy," Blust stated.

The tour, funded by a non-profit organization, started off in Washington DC on the 24th of June 2008 just one block away from the White House and has been out o the road ever since. The tour has made stops in Dayton, Ohio; Crawford, Texas; and in Denver, Colorado for the Democratic National Convention. The last month of the tour has not been scheduled, but the bus is currently stationed at the home of Dan Reed in St. Paul and will remain active here during the RNC.

Dan Reed, who hosted the tour gathering, claims that his neighborhood is highly political active and therefore decided to hold their own neighborhood rally in support of the Bush Legacy Bus Tour. Reed believes that the nomination of Governor Sarah Palin as McCain's running mate won't help his chances in traditionally liberal Minnesota. "McCain will not win this state," Dan Reed stated.

Admitting that he at first supported Sen. Hillary Clinton, Reed claimed that after gaining knowledge about Sen. Barack Obama and the new direction he promises to bring, he changed his thoughts on a potential Obama-presidency. "Let's take this to the next level, let's get a change," Reed said

Today at Talk Radio News Service

Bureau Chief Ellen Ratner and our New York and UN correspondent Dan Patterson are currently in Sudan.

Legal Correspondent Jay Tamboli is on the look outs for upcoming FISA discussions.

Our Washington Bureau will cover the Foreign Education and Labor Committee hearing on “Insuring the Availability of Federal Student Loans” and it will also attend the House Armed Services Committee hearing on “Mental Health Overview.”

The President is out of town.