Lieberman would vote with the GOP

* insightmag (via c&l):

The source said that under Mr. Rove’s plan, Mr. Lieberman would vote with the GOP on national security issues and help provide the party with a 50-50 split on major legislation. The deciding vote would then be cast by Vice President Dick Cheney.

* amy:

"In news from Capitol Hill, the Senate has rejected a move to ban the use of cluster bombs near civilian areas. The Democrat-proposed amendment would also have barred arm sales to countries not respecting the same rules. The measure was defeated by 70 to 30 votes. Relief and human rights groups have alleged Israel used American-made cluster bombs in its attack on Lebanon."

* amy:

"In other news from the Senate, members of a committee looking into the Bush administration’s use of pre-war intelligence said Wednesday their long-awaited report will not be released until after November’s mid-term elections. The committee is comparing the administration’s pre-war intelligence on Iraq with the allegations it made publicly about Saddam Hussein. The report was ordered more than two years ago and is said to be nowhere near completion."

* amy:

"Back in the United States, a new poll shows public opposition to the Bush administration’s “war on terror” is at its highest point to date. According to the annual Transatlantic Trends poll, 58% percent of Americans disapprove of President Bush’s handling of foreign policy. It’s the first time in the poll’s history more Americans disapprove than approve of the administration’s international policies. In Europe, the level of opposition is at seventy-seven percent – also the highest so far."

* nyt poll via holden:

"Do you think Saddam Hussein was personally involved in the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks against the World Trade Center and the Pentagon?
Yes: 31%
No: 60%

During wartime, some presidents have either received or assumed special war powers, which give the president more authority to act independently when he feels it is necessary. In the current campaign against terrorism, is it a good idea or a bad idea for the president to have the authority to make changes in the rights usually guaranteed by the Constitution?
Good Idea: 36%
Bad Idea: 59%

In order to reduce the threat of terrorism, would you be willing or not willing to allow government agencies to monitor the telephone calls and e-mails of ordinary Americans on a regular basis?
Willing: 38%
Not Willing: 59%

As a result of U.S. military action against Afghanistan, do you think the threat of terrorism against the United States has increased, decreased, or stayed about the same?
Increased: 35%
Decreased: 16%
Stayed About the Same: 46%

As a result of the United States' military action against Iraq, do you think the threat of terrorism against the United States has increased, decreased, or stayed about the same?
Increased: 48%
Decreased: 12%
Stayed About the Same: 39%

Right now, is the U.S. involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan creating more terrorists who are planning to attack the U.S., eliminating terrorists who were planning to attack the U.S., or is the U.S. involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan not affecting the number of terrorists planning to attack the U.S.?
Creating Terrorists: 54%
Eliminating Terrorists: 15%
Not Effecting Number: 24%"

* via holden:

"Even in Poland, the European country that generally shows the warmest regard for American presidents, Bush has gone from a 62 percent approval rating in 2002 to 40 percent. Bush's overall approval rating among Europeans was 18 percent"

never forget poland.