Det danske Fredsakademi
Kronologi over fredssagen og international politik 8. november 2006 / Timeline November 8, 2006
Version 3.57. November 2006, 9. November 2006
11/08/2006
NEW CONGRESS, NEW POSSIBILITIES FOR HISTORY AND ARCHIVES
THE NCH ELECTION EXCLUSIVE REPORT!!
by R. Bruce Craig (editor) with Emily Weisner (contributor)
NCH WASHINGTON UPDATE (Vol. 12, #43; 8 November 2006)
For the first time in a dozen years, Democrats managed to regain
control of the House of Representatives by a substantial margin --
by at least 15 seats. At this writing they also have the
possibility of gaining control of the Senate as well, albeit by a
much smaller margin. Yet to be decided are the two closest battles
of the mid-term elections the Senate contests in Montana and
Virginia. Because of state recount procedures, it may be at least
ten days before we know for sure who won those most contested
races.
The leadership of the newly configured Democratic controlled House
promises to shake things up. Hill insiders well expect that Nancy
Pelosi (D-CA) will be elected the first woman Speaker of the House
in history come January. Also, it is not insignificant to note that
many House Democrats who feel that the Republican leadership
treated them shoddily over the last decade or so, consider that the
110th Congress will be "payback time." Because the Democratic
majority in the 110th Congress will be fairly sizable (though
nowhere near big enough to overcome a presidential veto),
nevertheless, Democrats will be in a position to run rough-shod
over the Republicans. Pelosi's challenge will be to balance these
"let's go get-em" attitudes of some of her colleagues with her
desire to maintain "a bipartisan way for Americans" and a cordial
working relationship with moderate House Republicans. She will need
to, in order to get anything done.
In the more genteel Senate, the change in leadership (if it takes
place) will have less of an effect in the upper chamber as it
traditionally is much more congenial institution. One can be
assured though that Bernie Sanders (Ind.-VT) the newly elected
senator from Vermont and an avowed democratic socialist will shake
things upon the Senate floor! Nevertheless, the dramatic shift in
the Congressional political landscape will impact history and
archives substantially come January.
Most Hill observers believe that the change in leadership is
perhaps more important than any individual race. Nevertheless,
Democrats were especially elated at their victory in wresting from
the Republicans the seat of the much hated former Majority Leader
Tom Delay, who resigned after his role in a campaign finance scheme
was revealed.
Yet, there are some casualties of the elections including several
long-term friends of the history and archive communities who went
down to defeat. Most notable is Jim Leach (R-ID) who was a prime
mover and supporter of the House Humanities Caucus. Leach is also
one of the few strong and vocal Republican voices for the
humanities and also a staunch advocate for funding for the National
Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC) which the
White House Office of Management and Budget has been trying to zero
out for the last two years. In the Senate, Mike DeWine (R-OH) who
has been one of the prime movers of the "Presidential Sites
Improvement Act" (S. 431) legislation that seeks to provide
up to $5 million a year in federal cost-share funds to support
presidential sites also tended to be pretty good on issues of
concern to our communities.
Historians and environmentalists have reason to rejoice at the
defeat of outspoken (actually just plain rude) cattle rancher
Richard Pombo (R-CA), the present House Resources Committee Chair
(and former National Parks Subcommittee Chair) who was soundly
defeated by Democrat challenger Jerry McNerney who is an
alternative energy proponent his profession is that of a
wind-power engineer.
Also on the positive side, Senator Robert C. Byrd (D-WV) won 64% of
the electorate against his millionaire Republican challenger who
pulled about 34% of the vote. While the victory is by a smaller
margin than Byrd's last election win six years ago when he captured
78% of the West Virginia vote, he returns to the Senate's as the
institution's senior senator the longest lived member of that
body. If the Democrats take control he will be the most powerful
member as he is poised to once again regain the chair of the
Appropriations Committee. That's good news for programs like the
Teaching American History" initiative.
Some prognostications: In the House, the senior Democrat on the
House Committee of Education, George Miller, should he become
Chair, would be a forceful advocate for federal grants of students
and education reform in general. Good news in the education realm
also if the Democrats take control of the Senate Senator
Edward Kennedy (D-MA) would probably become Chair of the Senate
Education Committee. However, it is still unclear what Kennedy
would do regarding the two issues of prime concern to history
educators the reauthorizations of the "No Child Left Behind"
(NCLB) and the Higher Education Act.
If Henry Waxman (D-CA) becomes the Chair of the Government House
Reform Committee there will be in the words of Steven
Aftergood of the Federation of American Scientists and author of
the online publication Secrecy News" -- "a new day in
Washington."
Chris Shays (R-CT) the present chair of the Government Reform
subcommittee on National Security, Emerging Threats and
International Relations narrowly managed to hold onto his House
seat. Shays has been a national leader in confronting the problem
of overclassification of government records and has earned the
respect of many who are concerned with these issues. This last
Congress, he has conducted three hearings on secrecy in government
and has probably done more useful work on this issue than any other
member of Congress. If fellow New Englander Patrick Leahy (D-VT)
rises to become Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee there would
be, in Aftergood' s view, be "an earthquake a good one" as
there would be a significant change in direction in terms of
greater government accountability and oversight in the Senate as
well.
The immediate problem confronting Congress when they return to
Washington will be dealing with the numerous FY 2007 appropriations
bills that have yet to be acted on. Exactly what will happen now is
anyone's guess. One thing for sure, the agency numbers agreed to in
conference are sure to change.
11/08/2006
Bush, Rumsfeld Agree: 'Timing Right for New Leadership at
Pentagon'
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Nov. 8, 2006 - Calling Donald H. Rumsfeld "a superb
leader during a time of change," President Bush announced at a
White House news conference today that he and Rumsfeld have agreed
the time has come for a change in leadership at the Pentagon.
Bush said he will nominate Bob Gates, former director of central
intelligence and current president of Texas A&M University, to
succeed Rumsfeld as secretary of defense.
"Our military has experienced an enormous amount of change and
reform during the last five years while fighting the war on terror,
one of the most consequential wars in our nation's history," Bush
said. "Don Rumsfeld has been a superb leader during a time of
change, yet he also appreciates the value of bringing in a fresh
perspective during this time of war.
"Don Rumsfeld is a patriot and has served our country with honor
and distinction," Bush continued. "He is a trusted advisor and a
friend, and I'm deeply grateful for his service to our
country."
Rumsfeld became the youngest person to hold the top Pentagon post
under President Gerald R. Ford in 1975. He has served in the post
under President Bush since the current administration took office
in January 2001.
Defense Secretary Nominee Boasts Strong Intelligence
Background
By John D. Banusiewicz
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Nov. 8, 2006 - President Bush's nominee to succeed
Donald H. Rumsfeld as secretary of defense brings more than a
quarter century of experience in the Central Intelligence Agency
and the National Security Council to the table.
Bush announced today that he and Rumsfeld agreed the timing is
right for a change in leadership at the Pentagon.
When he was sworn in as director of central intelligence under
President George H.W. Bush in November 1991, Gates, now president
of Texas A&M University, was the first career CIA officer to
rise from an entry-level position to the director's post. He served
four presidents during his 26-year career, which included nine
years on the National Security Council.
Gates, 63, is a native of Wichita, Kan. After graduating from the
College of William and Mary in 1965, he earned a bachelor's degree
in history from Indiana University in 1966 and a PhD. in Russian
and Soviet history from Georgetown University in 1974.
He is a member of the bipartisan Iraq Study Group, also known as
the Baker-Hamilton Commission, which was formed in March to study
the war in Iraq and make policy recommendations to Congress and the
executive branch. The commission's report is expected to be
published next month.
Gates's nomination will require Senate confirmation.
"If confirmed by the Senate, Bob will bring more than 25 years of
national security experience and a stellar reputation as an
effective leader with sound judgment," Bush said at a White House
news conference in which he announced his intention to nominate
Gates for the Pentagon's top post.
"During his service at the CIA and at the National Security Council
Bob Gates gained firsthand knowledge that will help him meet the
challenges and opportunities that our country faces during the next
two years," Bush said. "He is a steady, solid leader who can help
make the necessary adjustments in our approach to meet our current
challenges."
Bush said he had talked with Gates at the president's Crawford,
Texas, ranch on Sunday. "I found him to be of like mind," the
president said. "He understands we're in a global war against these
terrorists. He understands that defeat is not an option in Iraq."
(American Forces Press Service correspondent Jim Garamone
contributed to this report.)
11/08/2006
CONTRACTS from the United States Department of Defense
Northrop Grumman Space and Mission Systems Corp., Redondo Beach,
Calif., is being awarded a $126,194,566 cost-plus-award fee
contract modification. The contractor will perform activities
associated with rebaselining the Space Tracking and Surveillance
System (STSS) program for FY05 through FY08 due to funding
restriction. Fiscal year funding constraints require work content
to be prioritized and time phased differently from the current
block 6 performance baseline. As a result, in order for the
contractor to regain schedule, the contractor's cost will increase
(i.e. double/triple shifts, additional personnel). The contractor
will also perform additional government directed testing to improve
mission assurance. At this time, no funds have been obligated. This
work will be complete June 2008. Headquarters Space and Missile
Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif., is the
contracting activity (F04701-02-C-0009/P00106).
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