For the Record - various goings on in politics - Brief Article

National Review, July 23, 2001

In Zogby poll, 60 percent view President Bush favorably. . . . Among Bush's top 300 appointees, reports National Journal, 34 percent are Catholic, 34 percent are lawyers, 26 percent are Ivy League graduates, 15 percent served in Clinton administration, and 10 percent are black. . . . Treasury secretary Paul O'Neill blasts World Bank for its $225 billion in loans over the last ten years: "Visit some of the poorest nations in the world, and you will see that we have too little to show for it. . . . It's time for a new approach to eliminating poverty."

Senate minority leader Trent Lott discusses embryonic stem-cell research, on Meet the Press: "There are some delicate questions here, but the benefits are substantial, as we understand it, and they should be carefully considered. . . . This is an important issue that has potentially significant health benefits, and we should not ignore it." . . . In Ipsos-Reid poll, 49 percent of women support ban on all research into human cloning, but only 35 percent of men agree. . . . Surgeon general David Satcher, a Clinton administration holdover, issues report saying schools should distribute contraceptives.

Simon & Schuster will publish two books by Sen. Jim Jeffords (I., Vt.), one called My Declaration of Independence on reasons for bolting GOP, and another on politics more broadly. . . . Sen. Robert Bennett (R., Utah) on Jeffords fallout, in Washington Post: "There will be a satisfaction in the new Republican majority that he won't have a chairmanship." . . . Sen. Jean Carnahan (D., Mo.) doesn't say whether she'll run for reelection next year, and potential challenger, former representative Jim Talent (R., Mo.), also refuses to commit. . . . Former vice president Dan Quayle ponders running for governor of Arizona, reports U.S. News & World Report. . . . Illinois lieutenant governor Corinne Wood (R.) calls for boycott of Abercrombie & Fitch over catalog pornography, but Gov. George Ryan (R.) won't support her cause. . . . Michigan Republicans become so desperate for candidate to oppose Sen. Carl Levin (D.), nomination frontrunner is Michael Skupin, best known for appearance on TV show Survivor.

Randy Forbes (R.) wins special election in Virginia, to succeed late Rep. Norm Sisisky (D.), boosting GOP House majority to 6 seats. . . . Rep. Albert Wynn (D., Md.) on soft-money ban: "The assumption seems to be that in the absence of the allegedly corrupting influence of soft money, Congress could more effectively address the Patients' Bill of Rights, prescription drugs, the California energy crisis, etc. I find this underlying assumption false, naive, and insulting." . . . Walter Mondale becomes latest in chorus of Democrats saying Al Gore should break silence and criticize Bush publicly. . . . Pat Robertson lobbies Congress for help in opening California oil refinery he recently purchased. . . . In Gallup poll, 23 percent of Americans say they're feminists, including 25 percent of women and 40 percent of Hispanics. . . . North Dakota chamber of commerce endorses dropping "North" from name of state.

Seattle policeman Eric Michl on why his colleagues take passive crime- fighting approach in black neighborhoods, in Seattle Times: "Parking under a shady tree to work on a crossword puzzle is a great alternative to being labeled a racist and being dragged through an inquest, a review board, an FBI and U.S. attorney's investigation and a lawsuit.". . . Invitation for Justice Clarence Thomas to speak at ACLU event in Hawaii rescinded after local board members protest, calling Thomas "an anti-Christ" and "a Hitler," arguing that having Thomas speak was "like having a serial murderer debate the value of life."

Bono, lead singer of U2, pens note to Sen. Jesse Helms (R., N.C.) after 79-year-old Helms attends first-ever rock concert: "Hope you had fun at the concert. We are really confusing the cynics with our friendship and our action in Africa. You are blessed, [as] I am to know you." . . . Barbra Streisand website urges Americans to "turn up your thermostat to 78 degrees when you're home, and 85 degrees when you're out," but New York Post reports singer's Manhattan home is kept "as cold as a meat locker." . . . Bill Clinton to Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat: "I'm a colossal failure, and you made me one." . . . Legislation for Smithsonian black-history museum on Mall gains momentum in Congress. . . . House committee approves national monument for John Adams, Abigail Adams, and John Quincy Adams. . . . Richard Nixon's dog Checkers, made famous in 1952 speech, may be exhumed from Long Island pet cemetery and reburied on Nixon library grounds in California.

Following Cuban dictator's fainting spell, Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen says, "Bad news about Castro's health is good news for everyone who loves freedom." . . . British defense study recommends continuing to bar women from "direct-fire close-combat roles." . . . Pope John Paul II makes first visit to Ukraine. . . . Russian president Vladimir Putin says his favorite Jack Nicholson movie is One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest.