Defense Department Mum On Woodward Book

The Pentagon is declining to comment on veteran journalist Bob Woodward’s upcoming book “Obama’s Wars” after details of the book appeared in the press Tuesday evening.

“We haven’t read the book, so [we] can’t comment on what might be in it,” Pentagon spokesperson Col. David Lapan told reporters Wednesday.

According to an article in the New York Times, Defense Secretary Robert Gates is depicted in the book fretting that National Security Adviser Gen. James L. Jones would be replaced by Deputy Adviser Thomas Donilion.

In addition, the Times says that the Pentagon sent a request to the White House asking the President for 4,500 troops to assist the additional 30,000 announced in December.

“All I can say at this point is that the Department is fully focused on the mission at hand in Afghanistan and implementing the President’s strategy,” Lapan said.

Lapan could not answer what level of cooperation Secretary Gates may have had with the Woodward.

RNC Hammers Boston Fundraiser For Lincoln

The Republican National Committee says the reason the White House is campaigning for Sen. Blanche Lincoln in Boston is because neither it nor she is popular in her home state of Arkansas.

“The Obama-Lincoln Policies Are Unwelcome In Arkansas,” read a headline in an email blast the organization sent out today…

House GOP'er To Introduce Israel-Palestine Resolution

Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Ranking Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, is seeking bipartisan support for a resolution she will introduce later this week reaffirming U.S. support for Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state and urging the Palestinian leadership to finally recognize that right.

“U.S. law is very clear: the Palestinian Authority must recognize Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish State, and stop all anti-Semitic and anti-Israel incitement.  Abu Mazen and other Palestinian leaders have been just as clear in their rejection of their obligations to recognize Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state and to root out violent extremists,” said Ros-Lehtinen in a statement put out on Wednesday.

“Israel’s status as a Jewish state is non-negotiable. Make no mistake: When Palestinian leaders refuse to recognize Israel as a Jewish state, they refuse to make a true and lasting peace.”

Van Hollen Urges Senate To Pass Disclose Act

Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement today applauding the Senate for scheduling a vote this week on the Disclose Act:

“I applaud Majority Leader Reid and Senator Schumer’s decision to bring the DISCLOSE Act to the Senate floor for another vote. As we get closer to Election Day, we see the detrimental impact of leaving the Citizens United ruling unchecked – a flood of shadowy special interest spending designed to mislead voters, funded by a select few who want to keep their identities secret.”

“We must increase transparency and shine a light on the special interests trying to influence elections – the fundamental nature of our electoral system is at stake. I urge Senate Republicans to end their obstruction of this important legislation and allow a vote on the DISCLOSE Act. Without it, Americans will not have access to the information they deserve in order to make informed decisions. If you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to fear from the DISCLOSE Act.”

Shelby Blasts SEC Response To Ponzi Scheme

U.S. Senator Richard Shelby (R-Ala.), ranking Republican on the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, today made the following statement during a Committee hearing on the SEC’s Response to the Stanford Ponzi Scheme.

“The Stanford case represents a major failure by the Securities and Exchange Commission in carrying out its investor protection mandate.  Investors were defrauded of billions of dollars, and thousands of victims have had their lives shattered as a result.  One of those victims, Craig Nelson from Alabama, testified at last August’s field hearing on the Stanford case. We now know that Allen Stanford openly flaunted the money that he stole from his victims.  He used it to buy part of a Caribbean island, to bribe foreign securities regulators, and fund sporting events.  His victims deserve to know how this could have happened.”