Thursday Evening Roundup

Here's another chance for Republicans to show how out of step they are with the American people on Iraq.

Oregon: How much of a Bush administration loyalist is Gordon Smith? Well, he had a big, fat chance to say something to the effect of, "It would be wrong of Bush to pardon Scooter Libby," and he predictably balked, courtesy of Blue Oregon.

Virginia: Susan Collins isn't the only Republican in a position to have provided more oversight over Walter Reed as its situation deteriorated. Rep. Tom Davis, the likely frontrunner for the GOP nomination for Senate if John Warner retires, is the former Chair of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform; and Raising Kaine asks, "Why did Walter Reed problems get worse with Tom Davis in charge of congressional oversight?"

Iowa: Conservative Republican Senate candidate Steve Rathje has already said some foolish things. Iowa Progress catches a new Rathje quote seemingly belittling the political prospects of Iowa's GOP Congressmen (people whose assistance he might need if he is the GOP nominee):

Much of that talk has centered on U.S. Rep. Steve King, a Republican from western Iowa. King is a favorite with conservatives but hasn’t shown any signs yet that he’s running.

Rathje dismissed the idea that another congressman could win. Three already have lost to Harkin.

“There is no doubt in my mind history will repeat itself if given the opportunity,” he said.

Iowa Progress also laments, "I wish I could tell you about his positions on issues, but that page on his web site is blank."