A poll put out by USA Today shows that for the first time, a majority (51%) of Americans believe that the Bush administration "deliberately misled the public about whether Iraq had weapons of mass destruction."

The bad news for the administration doesn't end there however. Head below the fold for more.

Between the diaries by QWQ and  Phoenix Woman about the Representative Waxman's call for hearings into the leakgate, and in particular, the call for "A congressional hearing at which Mr. Rove testifies under oath" there seems to be a climate of celebration. Finally, Rove will get what's coming to him.

Unfortunately, congressional hearings are not the best venue for this. In fact, putting Rove in front of a congressional committee under oath may be his best shot at a "get out of jail free" card.

I'll explain why below the fold.

Just saw this on Yahoo. I know some high-ranking Dems in Minnesota were courting FBI whistle-blower Coleen Rowley to run for something, but last I heard she wasn't interested. Luckly for us, she's changed her mind.

More below

For the first time since World War Two, a female soldier has been awarded the Army's third highest award for valor. Even more notably, the award was made for heroism displayed while actively participating in a combat action.

Right on the heals of sinking poll numbers, a probe by the AG's office along with the Cook County State's Attorney, and a general arua of bad juju, Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich is shifting the blame for his problems on to his farther-in-law Chicago Ald. Richard Mell.

Yesterday I daired on the subject of Blagojevich's sinking numbers and why he must be pressured not to run for relection. Today we have G-Rod telling the people of Illinios that he's going to fight back, and he has the "testicular virility'' (you heard me) to back it up.

I can only say one thing: Dude, WTF?

More below the fold.

Over the last couple months, Kos and the irregulars have done a good job keeping us apprised of the latest developments in upcoming gubernatorial races that are likely to be heavily contested.

However, what may become one of the most hotly contested gubernatorial battles is likely to come from an unexpected corner, a place that most Kossers likely view as safe.

In case you missed it, Rod Blagojevich's numbers are in the shitter.

It's not a little bad, it's very bad. Come below the fold to find out why, and what we can do about it.

While much has been writien about the on-going dual between Senators Reid and Frist over the nuclear option, on the eve of the atomic showdown I thought it might be interesting to look at another, less public dual: that between Senate Majority Whip Mitch McConnell and Senate Minoirty Whip Dick Durbin. Two pieces today offer insights into the fight for votes.

From the Moonie times

More below the fold.

Last night Christine Cegelis, last year's Democratic candidate for the Illinois 6th District congressional seat, held a conference call to discuss her future plans, the state of her district, and how the netroots factor in to all this.

For those who don't know the story, Christine ran a campaign from the grass-roots up, supported by a motivated ground effort that brought her an unprecedented 44.2% of the vote against incumbent Henry Hyde. Christine has said from the begin she plans to run again, however it's unlikely she'll get a rematch with Hyde. The rumors going around the district are that he's retiring, or even getting an ambassadorship (to the Vatican of all places). As such, part of last night's discussion dealt with just who might be running in Hyde's place, either in 2006, or earlier if a special election is called.

More below the fold.

Since it's Friday, and a pretty slow one at that, I thought it might be nice to do something fun to unwind (and after the roller-coster this week has been I think we all need it).

A lot of you may be familiar with Mozilla Foxfire add-on RPXP, which allows Kosser to high-light the names of their favorite posters in blue, or their least favorite in red. I thought it might be fun to ask: Who's on your blue list?

No, it isn't a joke. It's not an eraly April Fools gag. Rumsfeld is criticising the handling of the invasion of Iraq and how it contributed to the start of the insurgency. But predictably, the criticism is directed away from anyone who actually was to blame for this (like himself) instead, he's chosing a nice scape-goat that's sure to please the Freepers and the "France hates America" crowed.

That's right, he's blaming Turkey. More on the latest outrage below the fold.

It's the year after a Presidential election in Illinois, and that means it's time for state politicos to start thinking about next year's mid-terms. While the election two years after a presidential election is usually a quiet one in many states, such is not the case in Illinois. This is because elections for state-wide office are held on mid-term years, separating state office seekers from the pressures of national party politics. However, after the crushing defeat dealt to Illinois Republicans in 2002 (a massacre that was almost the mirror image of the pounding Democrats took nation-wide), and a state GOP that has since been thrown into a chaos of Keysian proportions, one might think that the Democrats in this safe-blue state would be safe from any serious Republican challenge. Not quite. There's a week link in the chain, and unfortunately for Dems the weak link is at the very top.

The NYT has an editorial today which deals with the Giuliana Sgrena shooting. While some may see this as a white-wash, I feel it pretty well sums up just what went wrong, and points out that Giuliana Sgrena shooting was hardly unique. Rather then the conspiracy alleged by some, the shooting was the tragic, but the logical conclusion of the rules of engagement forced on US personnel by an enemy that from the opening days of the invasion has used car bombings of roadside check points as one it's deadliest strategies.

CNN is checking the facts behind Bush's on the record statements about his social security plan. Guess what, Bush isn't telling the truth. Shocking! What actually is somewhat shocking is that CNN had the sand to call him on it.

Read more below

The NYT has a piece about the Senate, and the danger of the so-called "nuclear option." Read on for details.

More below

For a long time now, I'm said to anyone who would listen that the street gang problem in certain US cities (LA first and foremost) will degenerate into full blown urban warfare if radical changes are not taken to how law enforcement and public policy makers treat the problem.

Today I read a disturbing report that shows the day of an Iraq-like insurgency on US streets may far to close for comfort.

The author for the Swift Boat Liars is at it again. Jerome Corsi, co-author of the slimy smear-piece Unfit for Command is setting his sights on Congressional Democrats, accusing them of taking money form the Iranians, and somehow helping them develop nuclear weapons -in short, treason.

These outrageous accusations aren't being taken sitting down by the targets of this book. In the latest showing of Democratic spine, several high profile senators, presumably targets of the hit-piece to be released next month, offered scathing indictments of the book and its author.

I've been thinking a lot about this question recently.

I know there's a good cadre of ex-Republicans and reformed conservatives on here. While they've been less vocal in their conversion, I'm guessing there's quite a few former Greens, socialists, libertarians, and others on here who a few years ago would not have considered themselves part of the Democratic party (and I'm guessing more then a few of you disliked the Dems almost as much as the GOP).

Whatever you used to be, I'm wondering what made you switch. Why did you become a Democrate?

From Dan Froomkin's
White House Briefing comes an early look at Rove's new plan of attack.

This article also has some interesting stuff about Gannon and Bush's social security scheme, but it was this, near the bottom that caught my attention.