Cursor's Media Patrol - 10/27/06

In an interview with Spiegel, Ron Suskind says that U.S. foreign policy is "running like a headless chicken" in its war against al-Qaida, and in a combative interview with the Montreal Mirror, Seymour Hersh 'discusses civilian casualties, American ignorance and leading questions.'

Tom Engelhardt observes that, echoing Vietnam, the specter of a bloodbath-to-come is being used to justify the bloodbath in progress, it's argued that "stability first" is 'Newspeak for the rape of Iraq,' and the "Biden plan" for a tripartite division of Iraq is taken apart.

As another poll indicates that Democrats may take control of the House, the Los Angeles Times finds corporations have "developed a sudden enthusiasm for contributing to Democrats."

CBS News reports that 'Rove Protege' Scott Howell produced the RNC ad that targeted Rep. Harold Ford Jr. and kept professor John Geer busy. Howell also does ads for Sens. Jim Talent and George Allen, who told the Washington Times that he picked Howell because "I like to keep it positive."

As 'Corker pushes back on "Jungle Drums" ad,' Ford pushes back on attack ads for Corker and 'goes after the GOP's faithful base.'

The IRS announces a delay in collecting back taxes from Katrina victims until after the election, a move former IRS commissioners call "improper and indefensible," while Mother Jones provides 'Tales of a Push Pollster' as a sample of 'what's in the Swift Boat crowd's last minute bag of tricks.'

In addition to being the target of an FBI influence peddling probe, Rep. Curt Weldon is now accused of violating House ethics guidelines by calling Navy employees seeking statements that might impugn his Democratic opponent, retired Rear Admiral Joe Sestak.