Who Is Novak's Source?

K Street is heating up once again as the election year approaches, as well it should. America is the last standing superpower in the world, and K Street, DC, is the center of that power. Editor and Publisher notes that Robert Novak's source will be named in the new autobiography of former Ambassador Joseph Wilson:

"Sources say the embargoed title, The Politics of Truth, from Carroll & Graf, will reveal who tipped off syndicated columnist Robert Novak in July that Wilson's wife, Valerie Plame, worked for the CIA--a felony punishable by as many as ten years in prison--and the larger circumstances around the leak. The matter is the subject of a grand-jury investigation that has seen Novak, Wilson and a number of high-profile administration members questioned."

Also in K Street news, the question as to who will replace Jack Valenti is up in the air.

The ultra sleazy Washington lobbyist and MPAA head Jack V took a bit of an ass whipping at the hands of Federal Judge Michael B. Mukasey in New York recently.

Citing "unlawful restraint of trade," that the MPAA's "screener ban" would significantly harm independent films, Mukasey granted a preliminary injunction, effective immediately, blocking the policy.

Falling back on the old chesnut that screeners are major sources of piracy, we won't entertain the possibility that old Jack is trying to protect the Oscar from deserving independent films, who have cleaned the clocks of the tired, formulaic old studios.

In other news, Louisiana Congressman Billy Tauzin dropped out of the running, and gave up his top contender position of taking over from Valenti. Why would a powerful Republican in the majority party even want to become head of the embattled MPAA?

Well, the $1.03 million salary might be incentive. How about that sweet screening room at MPAA's Washington headquarters (perhaps third in coolness behind the White House screening room and Steven Spielberg's), then there are the orchestra seats at the Oscars, the limosine and driver, the office two blocks away from the White House, and first class travel to film festivals.

Ah, the line between K Street and, er, uhm, K Street is blurred.

The Hill notes two superhighpowered contenders for Valenti's job:

"One is 12th-term Rep. David Dreier (R-Calif.), the chairman of the Rules Committee who headed the successful gubernatorial campaign of movie star Arnold Schwarzenegger and has been romantically linked to several movie actresses.

"The other is even better known: White House National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice, who perhaps not so coincidentally was given a warm introduction at a Valentine�s Day party last month hosted by Bill Cohen, the former defense secretary and Republican senator from Maine."

God, I wish K Street were still on.

Finally, at the highest levels of power, it is no secret that Bush never forgave McCain for challenging him in the primary in 2000, became the media darling of the race, and made him spend some of his oil stained campaign booty in said primary. Well, the two are at it again, just like South Carolina, according to The Hill. Bush, attempting to be seen as even handed on the independent commission on intelligence, appointed McCain chair. Bad move, writes Alexander Bolton:

"Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) is pushing the White House to give subpoena power to the independent commission President Bush created last month to investigate intelligence operations.

"The administration has turned him down, but the senator is refusing to take no for an answer.

"The clash reignites a bitterness first sparked when Bush and McCain fought for the GOP presidential nomination in 2000."

Reignites? It never simmered down, dude.