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There was a split decision over the primary Persian Gulf hotspot. NBC continued the dominant theme of the week--Iraq. It led with more Senate hearings into President George Bush's primetime speech on Wednesday. ABC chose a potential new front in the regional conflict--Iran. CBS, with substitute anchor Russ Mitchell, turned away from foreign policy, to lead with the latest development in the Duke University lacrosse team sex scandal: prosecutor Mike Nifong has applied to recuse himself from the case. When all three newscasts are combined, Iraq remains Story of the Day.

The first major political confrontation over Iraq will be a Congressional resolution to oppose the Bush announcement that he is ordering a reinforcement of US troops in Baghdad. From the White House, NBC's David Gregory noted that the President "finds himself more isolated than ever" after making a decision to override Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, who wanted Iraqi forces to "take the lead in securing Baghdad."

The initial challenge from Congress, NBC's Chip Reid conceded, will be merely "symbolic" opposition. Reid predicted passage in the House and an attempted filibuster in the Senate. He counted votes and found seven Republicans--Gordon Smith, Chuck Hagel, Susan Collins, Olympia Snowe, George Voinovich, Sam Brownback, Norm Coleman--committed to voting against Bush's plan. So "four or five more" switchers will be required.

After that, NBC's Gregory wondered, the stakes may get higher: "Will, over time, Democrats in Congress restrict war funding? Will, over time, the President withdraw troops from Iraq if Iraqis fail to meet their commitments?"

Andrew Tyndall 1/14/07 12:09:23 am

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