Feb. 11, 2007
http://www.slate.com/id/2159553/?nav=fixThe Los Angeles Times and Washington Post lead with, while the New York Times fronts, Vladimir Putin's harsh criticism of American foreign policy at an international security conference in Munich. Speaking in front of dozens of American and European officials, including Defense Secretary Robert Gates, Putin said the U.S. "has overstepped its national borders in every way," causing global instability and setting off a nuclear arms race. According to the LAT, which has the best coverage, "one German questioner jokingly told Putin he hoped the president had not set off 'another world war.'"
The WP describes the tone of the speech as "more a considered lecture than a Khrushchevian dais-thumper." Nevertheless, in 32 minutes Putin reeled off a laundry list of complaints that touched on America's "hyper-use of military force", the West's support of reform movements in eastern Europe, American work on antimissile systems, NATO expansion, and Russian access to Western markets. An American congressional delegation that included John McCain and Joe Lieberman sat stone-faced in the audience.
In its lead story, the NYT shows how members of Congress have already found a way around pesky new ethics rules, passed just a month ago. It's now illegal for lobbyists to pay directly for lawmakers' lavish vacations and expensive dinners. But they can still donate money to members' political action committees, which, in turn, can pay for these outings as fundraising events. The NYT compiles a nifty little list of PAC fundraising events that would make Jack Abramoff jealous (though Rep. Eric Cantor really needs to get more creative).
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