Feature

Pentagon Wants $450 Billion Increase Over Next Five Years

by: Josh Rogin, Congressional Quarterly

George W. Bush and Defense Secretary Robert Gates. (2)
George W. Bush and Defense Secretary Robert Gates make remarks about the US defense budget in 2007. The Pentagon is preparing to release a new defense budget prior to Bush leaving office that is $450 billion more than previous estimates. (Photo: Reuters)

    Pentagon officials have prepared a new estimate for defense spending that is $450 billion more over the next five years than previously announced figures.     The new estimate, which the Pentagon plans to release shortly before President Bush leaves office, would serve as a marker for the new president and is meant to place pressure on him to either drastically increase the size of the defense budget or defend any reluctance to do so, according to several former senior budget officials who are close to the discussions.     Experts note that releasing such documents in the twilight of an administration is a well-worn tactic, and that incoming presidents often disregard such guidance in order to pursue their own priorities. »

Justice Department politics.

Marilou Johanek | Financial Crisis Buries DoJ Bombshell

by: Marilou Johanek, The Toledo Blade

    At any other time, what happened in the U.S. Justice Department last week would have been big news. At any other time, when internal reports by Justice Department call for more investigation into a case of unethical, if not criminal, conduct on the part of lawmakers and the White House, the administration would have a lot of explaining to do.

    But the Bush administration got lucky. As its Treasury and Federal Reserve chiefs warned that the sky was falling and the economic crash and continuing tumult on Wall Street made them seem prophetic, »

Obama campaign rally in Chillicothe, Ohio.

Obama Accuses McCain of Trying to Divide Americans

by: Charles Babington, The Associated Press

    Chillicothe, Ohio - Presidential candidate Barack Obama on Friday accused Republican John McCain of trying to divide the country, but he let fellow Democrats handle harsher attacks while he kept his message mostly upbeat.

    Speaking to an outdoor audience, Obama said "it's not hard to rile up a crowd by stoking anger and division." He said Americans want "someone who can lead this country" with a steady hand in a time of economic crisis, not divide it.

»

Recent Articles

News

Opinion