At today's Capitol Hill hearing with Attorney General Eric Holder at first wasn't sure who subpoenaed the AP's phone records, but later blamed his deputy attorney general:
"I'm trying to find out who authorized the subpoena," Rep. Sensenbrenner said. "You can't tell me if Deputy Attorney General Cole authorized the subpoena. Somebody had to authorize the subpoena because the code of federal regulations is pretty specific that this is supposed to go as close to the top as possible."
"No, what I'm saying is that I can't say as a matter of fact," said Holder. "I have to assume, I say I would probably 95%, 99% certain the deputy attorney general acting in my stead was the one who authorizes the subpoena."
A little bit later, Holder said, "Let me say this: I've been given a note we have confirmed that the deputy was the one who authorized the subpoena."
Not front page material in the Grey Lady's news judgment. But good enough for page A-11. With the third paragraph reassuring readers that an agency spokesperson had insisted
Newspapers endorse candidates with such solemnity that you'd think they believe their readers actually care and that elections might actually hang in the balance. "Oh my God, did you see this, Helen? The Times is endorsing Obama. I guess that changes everything."
Lee Smith: "Who Leaked Israeli Iran Plan? Some analysts say the White House leaked details of Israel’s alleged attack plan to discourage the Jewish state. Others call the idea ‘absurd.’"
Dean Singleton, chairman of the Associated Press board, introduced President Obama this afternoon at a speech to news editors in Washington. But Singleton didn’t just tell the audience the president was the next speaker—the supposed newsman offered lavish praise for the Democratic president.