Washington Round-Up

Bush Undecided On Speech Wardrobe

Aides Suggest Fatigues Over Flight Suit As Means To Show Determination

A storm is raging inside the White House, as aides argue and debate the attire for President Bush, when he addresses the nation this evening about the war in Iraq.

Mr. Bush will speak to the nation at 8 p.m. from Fort Bragg, N.C., before an audience of hundreds of troops. Tuesday is the first anniversary of the formal transfer of sovereignty to the Iraqis after the American-led invasion.

About half the staff is encouraging the President to wear the same flight suit he wore on the aircraft carrier, the USS Abraham Lincoln and declared "Mission Accomplished" back in May 2003.

The other half is suggesting, as a sign of commitment and "standing with the men" the President wear the traditional green fatigues. That for where the war in Iraq is at the moment, the show of solidarity with the men in the arena will "echo across the world".

Bush faces nagging polls showing more-and-more Americans doubting that the situation in Iraq is improving, The President will emphasize in his address that there is a "clear path to victory" and urge Americans to maintain their resolve.

In a related move, Bush signed a Presidential order forbidding, should it come before the mission is accomplished, and the U.S. pulls out of Iraq, that helicopter evacuations from rooftops in Iraq of any military, press or Iraqi citizens.


Gonzales Unwraps Justice Statues With Fanfare

'When Eagles Soar' Played During Unveiling; New AG Orders Fully Nude Works

Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, last Friday, removed the large blue drapes hanging over the ''Spirit of Justice" and the ''Majesty of Justice", the two Art Deco, semi-nude aluminum statues in the Justice Department's Great Hall, with great fanfare.

Perhaps as a dig to his predecessor, former Attorney General John Ashcroft, Gonzales had Ashcroft's song, "When Eagles Soar" playing during the unveiling.

Ashcroft, in his family-values crusade against pornography, had curtains installed in January 2002, to cover the statues.

Gonzales also took it a step further, in speaking at the ceremony, indicated he's commissioned two new, fully-nude statues for the Great Hall.


Rumsfeld Confirms Insurgent Talks and Long Haul

Details Sketchy But "Not Negotiating With Terrorists"

Both on Sunday, on Fox News Live, and at a press conference yesterday, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld confirmed that talks are "on-going" with the insurgents attacking U.S. and Coalition forces.

"I can't tell you who exactly is talking to who" clipped Rumsfeld. "These people don't exactly have business cards."

When pressed further, Rumsfeld denied that the United States was "negotiating with terrorists".

"My goodness, that would never happen. For all I know, it's a-guy-who-knows-a-guy-who-knows-a-guy-who-knows-a-guy kind of thing".

Rumsfeld also stated that "the insurgency will be put down by the Iraqi people over time".

"It won't be won by the coalition forces. Insurgencies tend to go on 5, 6, 8, 10, 12 years."

Rumsfeld than admitted that he is placing his bets in Las Vegas on 8-years of more insurgence.

"It's my lucky number", beamed Rumsfeld.