Washington Post
Writer of the 'Fact Checker' column, and former diplomatic correspondent, for the Washington Post; author of The Confidante: Condoleezza Rice and the Creation of the Bush Legacy
PROFILE
Glenn Kessler
Guest
FROM Glenn Kessler
To the Point
Post Conventions: A Tale of Two Americas Between now and November, voters will be inundated with dramatically different visions of America and what it needs. There's enough hyperbole on both sides to keep fact-checkers busy but, in a polarized nation, facts may matter less than emotion. Violent images in both news and entertainment may exaggerate voters' fears. We hear what's revealed by the early polling.
To the Point
Separating Fact and Fiction: Truth and Lies in American Politics Today Nobody should be surprised when politicians distort the facts or tell outright lies. In 2007, the St. Petersburg Times introduced a feature called PolitiFact . It's complete with a "Truth-O-Meter," and a range from "True" through "Mostly True" to "Mostly False," "False" and finally, "Pants on Fire." PolitiFact joined the Annenberg Public Policy Center's FactCheck.org . The Washington Post now has a regular feature called The Fact Checker . While such checkers promise to give voters the truth, they themselves are critiqued from the Right and the Left, accused of choosing the facts they check according to hidden agendas. Does one side lie more than the other? Do the media add to the confusion by trying to find "balance" between the two or are "facts" really what voters want to know? If so, why do they sometimes cling to beliefs in proven falsehoods?
Which Way, L.A.?
Republicans Vote to Slash the Federal Budget Republicans are trying to make good on the promises that gave them control of the House of Representatives-- planning action on 600 amendments to this year’s budget before taking off for the Presidents’ Day weekend. Will the Senate and the White House allow 100 billion dollars in spending reductions? Would they make a dent in the deficit?
To the Point
Republicans Vote to Slash the Federal Budget Republicans are trying to make good on the promises that gave them control of the House of Representatives-- planning action on 600 amendments to this year’s budget before taking off for the Presidents’ Day weekend. Will the Senate and the White House allow 100 billion dollars in spending reductions? Would they make a dent in the deficit?
Which Way, L.A.?
Israel Faces Flotilla Raid Fallout Israel is issuing no apologies for the botched assault on the flotilla of ships trying to break its blockade of Gaza. The US is walking a familiar line between Israel's need for security and the Palestinians' need for both humanitarian aid and reconstruction materials. Washington is also trying to pacify Turkey, a crucial Middle East ally, which wants Israel punished for the deaths of Turkish citizens on one of the vessels. As Israel releases hundreds of prisoners seized at sea, we hear about conditions in Gaza and debate the legality of the blockade.
To the Point
Israel Faces Flotilla Raid Fallout Israel is issuing no apologies for the botched assault on the flotilla of ships trying to break its blockade of Gaza. The US is walking a familiar line between Israel's need for security and the Palestinians' need for both humanitarian aid and reconstruction materials. Washington is also trying to pacify Turkey, a crucial Middle East ally, which wants Israel punished for the deaths of Turkish citizens on one of the vessels. As Israel releases hundreds of prisoners seized at sea, we hear about conditions in Gaza and debate the legality of the blockade.
To the Point
Netanyahu Tests Obama's Resolve, White House Diplomacy There was a total news blackout last night at the White House when President Obama met Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu — for two hours in two separate sessions. In public, there wasn't even a handshake. Glenn Kessler is diplomatic correspondent for the Washington Post .
Which Way, L.A.?
The US and Israel: How Deep Are the Differences? When Vice President Biden was in Israel last week, the Netanyahu government announced new plans for Jewish housing in East Jerusalem. The aftermath included yesterday’s Palestinian “day of rage” and diplomatic outrage from the Obama administration toward Israel.
To the Point
The US and Israel: How Deep Are the Differences? When Vice President Biden was in Israel last week, the Netanyahu government announced new plans for Jewish housing in East Jerusalem. The city was quiet today after yesterday's "Day of Rage," by Palestinians protesting the announced Israeli construction plans. In public, the US and Israel are exchanging warm words, but tensions are high, and Israel has yet to respond to US demands that the plans be reversed. Did Prime Minister Netanyahu want to sandbag Biden? Was President Obama looking for a way to get tough with Israel? What does it all have to do with peace talks, Iran, American troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, and US credibility in the Middle East?
To the Point
Senate Passes a Jobs Bill, Will New Jobs Ensue? With 11 votes from Republicans today, the Senate passed and sent to the President what’s billed as the first in a series of measures designed to create jobs . The cost will be $17.6 billion. Derek Thompson covers business for TheAtlantic.com .
To the Point
Changing Tack, Bush Sends Senior Diplomats to Talk with Iran President Bush has been adamant: no talks with Iran until it suspends enrichment of uranium. But tomorrow, his number-three diplomat will meet in Geneva with the European Union's foreign policy chief and Saeed Jalili, Iran's nuclear negotiator. Glenn Kessler, author of The Confidante : Condoleezza Rice and the Creation of the Bush Legacy, reports for the Washington Post .
To the Point
Pakistani Opposition Leader Bhutto Assassinated Heads of state around the world are reacting to today's assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto in Pakistan. President Bush delivered his comments from his ranch in Crawford, Texas. Who will fill the vacuum her death leaves in Pakistani politics? Who will carry her banner in the January election? Will that election occur as scheduled? How did Pakistan become unsafe for democracy? Will President Musharraf be able to control the aftermath of the Bhutto assassination? This, and a friend's personal memories of Bhutto.
To the Point
Turkey Recalls Ambassador over Armenian Genocide Bill Turkey says it's not withdrawing its ambassador to the US, but it is asking him home for a week or so of consultations. This comes in the aftermath of yesterday's declaration by a committee of Congress that Turkey committed " genocide " against Armenians in 1915. The Washington Post 's Glenn Kessler is author of The Confidante : Condoleezza Rice and the Creation of the Bush Legacy.
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To the Point
Terrorism and tweets, hate speech and murder Just days before an election, Britain is coping with a rash of deadly terrorism, and Prime Minister Theresa May is on the defensive. And again today, President Trump has tweeted criticism of the Mayor of London. Later, a double murder in Portland, Oregon has revealed the ugly past of a supposedly “progressive” city. One immediate question: is “hate speech” protected by the First Amendment?
To the Point
Will the Senate write a healthcare bill in secret? While Democrats and Republicans argue White House relations with Russia, another question is being decided behind closed doors: who gets help buying health insurance and who doesn't? We hear how the pros and cons are being shrouded in secrecy.
To the Point
Trump plays scolder-in-chief with NATO allies At the opening of NATO’s dramatic new headquarters in Brussels today, President Trump acknowledged that Article 5 — promising that “an attack on one nation is an attack on all” -- has only been invoked one time: in the aftermath of September 11. But the President failed to provide what 27 other Alliance members have been waiting for: a re-commitment by America’s new leader to Article 5. Instead, they got a scolding.
To the Point
Replacing Obamacare: Now you see it… now you don’t As the Senate deliberates replacing Obmacare, health coverage for millions of people is at stake. There've been no public hearings, and a draft measure won't be made public. Is the House version so unpopular that that Senate is hiding a version that looks much the same?