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Thursday, June 16, 2011
The Morning Scoop - Michele Bachmann's First Dude
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Rep. Michele Bachmann's growing 2012 buzz won't just put her positions under a microscope—her husband, Marcus, a Christian counselor, believes there is a "homosexual agenda" and has referred to gays as "barbarians." He has raised five children and nearly two dozen foster children with his wife, and stood by her side throughout her political career. The Daily Beast's David Graham reports.
The United States may soon lose its closest partner in Pakistan: Gen. Ashfaq Kayani, whom The New York Times calls "the most powerful man in the country," is coming under increasing pressure to cut ties with the United States. Pakistan's army is run by 11 top commanders known as the Corps Commanders, and the Times says most, if not all, are demanding Kayani get tougher with America. One general says a coup is not out of the question. The Washington Post says Kayani was jeered at a recent town-hall style meeting with officers, and that U.S.-Pakistan relations are the worst they've been since September 11, 2001.
New York's state assembly approved a gay-marriage bill late Wednesday evening, setting up a tense showdown in the higher chamber. As of Wednesday, Senate Republicans were still undecided on how they would vote on the measure. "This issue has not been resolved," said GOP leader Dean Skelos. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, who has pushed hard to legalize same-sex marriage, put forward the legislation on Tuesday, and it currently has the backing of 31 out of 62 state Senators—just one short of approval. Passage would make New York the most populous state yet to pass gay marriage.
As was expected, Al Qaeda has appointed Ayman al-Zawahiri to replace Osama bin Laden as its leader. The announcement came on an Al Qaeda-affiliated militant website. Al-Zawahiri, an Egyptian doctor who is believed to turn 60 this Sunday, is often described as the brains behind Al Qaeda. He is believed to be hiding along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border.
Newt Gingrich demanded an apology from NBC News Wednesday night for a report that blamed his wife for much of his campaign's recent turmoil. (Sixteen top staffers resigned en masse last week.) The NBC report said staffers were upset over Callista Gingrich's role, including her demand that the campaign arrange screenings of movies made by their for-profit production company. NBC says she insisted on screenings followed by Q&As, where they could sell DVDs—events that took up hours of time. When staffers in South Carolina refused a screening, she and Newt skipped an event in Myrtle Beach so they could return to D.C. to attend the opera "Don Pasquale" at the Kennedy Center. NBC also says Callista refused to allow early-morning travel because she needed time to do her hair. ""He wanted to campaign but on the other hand he had to keep his wife happy," said one former staffer. On Wednesday, Newt told Fox News, "I believe NBC owes Callista an apology, because the fact is my campaign is my campaign. We make decisions as a couple, but in the end, I take full responsibility."
Charlie Rangel was censured for not paying taxes on his Dominican villa—but at least he made up to $500,000 on its sale. The Daily Beast's John Solomon sifts through Congress' latest financial-disclosure forms and finds a Congress full of landlords (Pelosi), millionaires (Boehner), and some new Tea Party debtors.
Art Basel's Marclay Bash by Lloyd Grove The annual artfest draws Will Ferrell, Larry Gagosian and other notables, as Wendi Murdoch, Dasha Zhukova, Tina Brown, and Credit Suisse throw a dinner for ground-breaking artist Christian Marclay. Lloyd Grove reports on the festivities as buyers and collectors celebrate a rebound in the high-end market.
Tracy's Bizarre Apology Tour by Tricia Romano After making homophobic jokes during a performance last week, Tracy Morgan is trying to make amends. But Joan Rivers tells Tricia Romano, "He shouldn't apologize."
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