Media-Whore D'Oevres

"In an interview on NBC’s 'Today' show Wednesday morning, Mrs. Clinton said that things changed for her after the debate on Saturday. 'It was the first time that the leading candidates actually were asked some very pointed questions about what we stand for, what we’ve done to help other people, what our accomplishments are and what we want to do for the future,' she said." (NYTimes)

"The newly appointed leader of the Taliban in Pakistan is being called more dangerous than Osama bin Laden by analysts there. His movement was created last month when 26 Pakistani militant groups joined forces to fight for an Islamic regime there, tribal sources say. Baitullah Meshud, also known as the emir of South Waziristan, is described by Pakistani authorities as a brutal but able leader who commands thousands of followers. Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf blames him for the assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, as well as a spate of recent attacks here that have left more than 400 dead. NATO authorities in Afghanistan have offered a $50,000 reward for his capture." (Blogs.ABCNews)

"The Washington Post reported on 6 January that the US government was still 'hoping that the deal it tried to broker between [former prime minister Benazir] Bhutto and [Pakistani President Pervez] Musharraf last fall - to forge a new moderate center and work together after elections - remains the way to salvage Musharraf's government.' ... Despite Washington's attempts, a PPP-PML-Q deal remains highly unlikely especially given that Bhutto's death is likely to reinvigorate the PPP's electoral fortunes. Moreover, although the US still perceives the PPP as a critical player in Pakistan's transition from military to civilian rule, there is a likelihood that given the leadership vacuum within the PPP, bitter contests for Bhutto's legacy coupled with a growing divide between the party's leadership and the grassroots could lead to a splintering of the PPP into various competing factions." (Janes)

"Meanwhile, last night at the Sperone-Westwater Gallery down at 415 West 13th Street, there was an opening for an exhibition of artist/filmmaker Julian Schnabel’s Navigation Drawings ... There was a big crowd — Sperone-Westwater, one of the higher profile, more prestigious galleries of the contemporary scene in New York — always draws a big crowd. It was packed, jammed in when I arrived at 7:30 (it was called for 6 – 8) Mr. Schnabel was greeting and gabbing with Al Pacino, Dick Cavett, and Ben Gazzara. All surrounded by masses of friends and supporters looking on, waiting for their moments to congratulate the artist. Closeby were Charlie Rose, Peter Brant, artists Jeff Koons, Tom Sachs, Ross Bleckner as well as Guggenheim chieftan Tom Krens. I didn’t see them but according to one source Lou Reed and Laurie Anderson were there, as well as novelist Paul Auster, actor Mickey Rourke." (NYSD)