Reluare duminică, 18 ianuarie 2004

Poll Bolsters Bush on Terrorism But Finds Doubts on Economy

Date: 18 January 2004

By Robin Toner and Janet Elder

Robin Toner

New York Times/CBS News poll finds Americans support Pres Bush for his handling of war against terrorism but have doubts about his economic and domestic policies; fewer than one in five people said their tax burden was eased by tax cuts, centerpiece of economic program; support Bush gained after capture of Saddam Hussein has largely dissipated; overall approval rating stands at 50 percent, and Bush remains polarizing figure in sharply divided country, with 9 in 10 Republicans, but only 1 of 4 Democrats, approving of his performance; still, Bush retains powerful advantage on national security with members of both parties; graphs compare ratings with other presidents at similar juncture and show responses to specific questions (L)

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As Iowa Goes . . .

Date: 19 January 2004

Editorial says Iowa is kicking off Democratic presidential primary with its caucuses; says event has been turned into overpolled, overspun symphony of attack ads; says it has created kind of trial by fire that allows voters to see how well perceived front-runner Howard Dean might fare under kind of unimaginable pressure and scrutiny that come with modern American presidential race; contends that Iowa caucuses, followed by primary in New Hampshire, another extremely unrepresentative state, are no way to choose a potential president

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Carter Put It on the Political Map, And Iowa Hasn't Budged Since

Date: 19 January 2004

By Todd S. Purdum

Todd Purdum

Importance of Iowa caucuses has grown since 1976, when little-known former governor Jimmy Carter finished far ahead of everyone else and went on to win White House; unlike 1976, Iowa is now crowded with networks' mobile newsrooms and notable news anchors weighing in on contest; contest in Iowa looms all the larger this year because primary schedule is so compressed: of delegates needed for nomination, more than one-tenth will be allotted by Feb 3, and nearly 60 percent by Mar 2; Carter was last little-known candidate to come out of Iowa and win nomination; since then, Iowa caucuses have served to winnow field; race this year is seen as so close that all major candidates could conceivably survive to fight on; in Iowa, outperforming expectations can be enough of victory to propel candidate forward; chart listing caucus results for Democrats and Republicans since 1972 (M)

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Dr. Dean Assumes His Place on the Examining Table

Date: 18 January 2004

By Daniel Okrent

Daniel Okrent

Comment by The New York Times public editor Daniel Okrent examines allegations by Howard Dean supporters of bias by Jodi Wilgoren and others covering presidential primary race; finds some unfair comments and one overplayed story, but not pattern or partisan agenda; observes that full-body examination Dean is getting reflects his leading position in Democratic race, and warns supporters of much more to come if Dean is nominated (M)

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A Question of Credibility; Ascent of USA Today Reporter Stumbled on Colleagues' Doubts

Date: 19 January 2004

By Jacques Steinberg

Jacques Steinberg

Colleagues of Jack Kelley, longtime foreign correspondent at USA Today, had suspicions about his dispatches long before his abrupt resignation on Jan 6 amid questioning of 1999 report of his from Yugoslavia; some even began keeping crude dossiers on him as early as mid-1990's, questioning plausibility of his battelfield descriptions, clipping articles from other newspapers that included phrasing similar to his and even making copies of his correspondence with editors; it was staff members who pressed for full investigation of Kelley's reporting after newspaper reported that investigation of sampling of his work turned up no fabrications; Kelley insists his reporting will stand up to scrutiny; photos (M)

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The Place to Be Seen in Des Moines

Date: 19 January 2004

By Todd S. Purdum

Todd Purdum

Restaurant in downtown Des Moines, Iowa, comes alive once every four years; in weeks preceding caucuses, 801 Steak and Chop House's tables are filled with biggest names in politics and broadcasting; it has stayed open for last two Sunday nights to accommodate caucus crowds; diagram showing various guests seated at tables (M)

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Business; Analyze This: Blodget's New Act

Date: 18 January 2004

By David Carr

David Carr

Henry Blodget, former Merrill Lynch analyst, whom SEC has barred from securities industry for life, is now working as freelance writer for Slate, online magazine, covering Martha Stewart trial; photo (M)

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Bay Area Communities Compete to Welcome a Murder Trial

Date: 19 January 2004

By Dean E. Murphy

Dean Murphy

San Francisco Bay Area officials hope to lure Scott Peterson's murder trial to courtroom in their communities, seeing financial opportunity; Judge Al Girolami is to decide on Jan 20 where to hold trial; tourism officials see nothing but dollar signs in media frenzy expected to follow Peterson, in what has already been among most publicized murder cases in country; photo (M)

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Under Attack, Kerry Appears to Build Momentum

Date: 18 January 2004

By David M. Halbfinger

David

Sen John Kerry is under attack from his rivals, possible sign that his campaign for Democratic presidential nomination is finally building momentum; Kerry is gaining support in Iowa as many voters have been alienated by steady diet of negative coverage of former favorite Howard Dean, while Kerry has been enjoying consistently favorable coverage for first time; many Iowans are impressed by his willingness to listen to them and offer thoughtful answers to questions (M)

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British Media Baron Near Deal to Sell Major Stake in Hollinger

Date: 18 January 2004

By Andrew Ross Sorkin and Geraldine Fabrikant

Andrew Sorkin

British media baron Conrad M Black nears deal to sell his controlling interest in Hollinger International to brothers David and Frederick Barclay for $200 million plus outstanding debts; Barclays would take possession of company Ravelston, which has 78 percent stake in private company Hollinger Inc, through which Black holds controlling interest in Hollinger International; sale is opposed by Hollinger International, which has removed Black as non-executive chairman and sued him and former president, F David Radler, over alleged misappropriation of $224 million; SEC and Justice Dept are investigating unauthorized payments collected by Black and top executives and may oppose sale (M)

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