Monday November 6, 2006

The Final Word: “My Heart Bleeds for You Edition”

(The media experiment in which we conjoin the headline and last paragraph of each bylined article in the A-section of today's New York Times.)

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Hussein Is Sentenced to Death by Hanging:

Mr. Ramadan seemed stunned, despite being spared the death sentence. He had argued that his role in the Dujail events was limited to overseeing the razing of the orchards. His head dropped as he heard the judge sentence him to life in prison. "May I say something?" he asked Judge Abdel-Rahman. "I am so surprised at this sentence. Tell me, who did I willfully kill?"

Bush Trumpets Iraq Verdict to Rally Support:

In Pennsylvania, Karen Santorum, Senator Rick Santorum's wife, speaks directly into the camera in a 60-second advertisement, looking almost mournful as she says that she has found attacks on her family for living in Virginia hurtful, explaining that they moved there to be closer to Mr. Santorum when he is working.

New Telemarketing Ploy Steers Voters on Republican Path:

Richard H. Timberlake, a retired minister in Knoxville who supported Mr. Ford, said he hung up after the first two questions. "It became almost a barrage against him," Mr. Timberlake said.

Once Safe, Public Pensions Are Now Facing Cuts:

"There's no good option," he said. "It's only painful."

The Package May Say Healthy, but This Grocer Begs to Differ:

"As for health claims, expect to see more and more and more," she said. "It's the only thing that sells food these days."

Other News

In a Divided Iraq, Reaction to Saddam Death Sentence Conforms to Sectarian Lines:

"I'm very sad for my country. That's it. O.K?" And she rushed off, her black abaya billowing behind her in the wind.

Hussein Trial Was Flawed but Reasonably Fair, and Verdict Was Justified, Legal Experts Say:

Mr. Drimmer said that "the trial conduct was a step back from the kind of international justice we had hoped for," and added, "But ultimately having Saddam Hussein prosecuted in a transparent proceeding is a major step for Iraq."

National Issues, Led by Iraq, Dominate Final Appeals in Congressional Campaigns:

But Roy Huskey Jr., a Vietnam veteran, said he had decided to support Mr. Pombo, saying he thought he was an honest man. "The Democrats and Republicans both took money from Abramoff," Mr. Huskey said. "What do you expect? He's a lobbyist."

White House Memo: Win, Lose or Draw, Bush Faces Unfamiliar Terrain:

Whatever Mr. Bush does, on either the foreign policy or the domestic front, comes with the knowledge that the clock is ticking. As Mr. Bartlett spoke in his West Wing office Thursday afternoon, a digital "countdown clock," distributed to the president's closest aides by Joshua B. Bolten, the White House chief of staff, revealed precisely how much time, at that moment, remained in Mr. Bush's term: 809 days, 21 hours, 21 minutes and 42 seconds.

Expecting Losses, State G.O.P. Accuses National Party of Neglect:

"John Faso made a valiant effort in New York, and we would've liked to have done more," said Phil Musser, the executive director of the association. "But strategically we put resources in races where the polling suggests the best shots. This is a tough year in New York."

Brazilian Surges Ahead to Surprise the Field:

"To win the marathon, you have to have courage," Gomes said. "Today, I had the courage to go in front and win."

New Jersey's Tight Senate Race Gets an Infusion of Resources:

"I've only got one special interest," he added. "It's you, and the people of Connecticut. And I'm going to go down to Washington and fight my heart for you every day."

Israel Vows to Attack Gaza Until Rockets Subside:

Also on Sunday, Avigdor Lieberman, a far-right politician in the Israeli cabinet, caused a stir by again supporting a land and population transfer between Jews and Arabs.

Ortega Dominates Nicaragua Campaign:

Anabel Rizo, 40, a physician's assistant in Managua, the capital, said she was planning to vote strategically to keep Mr. Ortega out of office.

Disgraced Minister's Church Wrestles With His Absence:

"What's going to happen in the nation?" Mr. Stockstill said. "You know what — I don't think that's your concern or mine. He chose this incredibly important time for this sin to be revealed and I actually think it's a good thing — I believe America needs a shaking, spiritually."

Hollywood Puts the Squeeze on Talent:

"I could make a lucrative deal for myself," he said. "This is just the beginning."

As Drug Prices Climb, Democrats Find Fault With Medicare Plan:

"It's our belief that the White House will veto it," he said.

International

Hezbollah Uses Influence to Jockey for Power in Beirut:

Members of the March 14 coalition say that if they expand the cabinet they will not agree to give Hezbollah a large enough bloc so as to have a veto. It is over that point that violence could escalate.

St. Vincent Journal: Foosball as an Alpine Sport? At the Pinnacle, It Is.:

"Some shots are so hard and so fast that you can barely see it, and I have to say whether the ball was in or not," he said. "I say, 'Goal' or 'Play.' I have control of the game."

Turk Hints at Shift to Freer Speech:

Fears are growing here that talks with the European Union have reached an impasse that could result in the suspension of Turkey's bid for membership. Such a move could alienate Turkey, an important European and American ally in an unstable region.

U.N. May Delay Decision on Kosovo Autonomy:

On Sunday, Mr. Annan's office noted that even though talks and a decision could be extended to next year, the goal was still for the United Nations' chief negotiator on Kosovo to conclude talks this year.

National Report

With No One to Campaign Against, Incumbents Reach Out:

"I feel a little guilty, watching everyone else sweat when I'm coasting," he said. "I felt the least I could do was work for them and help them pay their bills."

The Bloggers:

Ed Morrissey of captainsquartersblog.com, who is flying in from Minnesota for the event, says he will be flipping through all the major stations: Fox, ABC, NBC, CBS and, of course, CNN. "I want to see myself on TV,"

The Ad Campaign: Taxers by Nature?:

According to some cowboys, shown speaking in silhouette, their nature — make that the nature of Mr. Tester — is to chronically raise taxes. The title is a play on "Brokeback Mountain," the movie about gay cowboys. And the implication is that Democrats, by their nature, increase taxes, just as the cowboys in the movie were, by their nature, er, gay.

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