Mediaboss Marketing

David Petraeus poses with his biographer Paula Broadwell, with whom he has admitted to having an affair. Photograph: Ho/AFP/Getty Images

Though under investigation by the FBI for unauthorized disclosure of classified information related to an affair with his biographer, David Petraeus counts among his defenders a host of prominent politicians who typically denounce security leaks.

The former US army general and CIA director has deep ties to a bipartisan host of political heavyweights, from potential Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton to former Republican presidential nominee John McCain, and a well of media support stemming from his stewardship of the 2007-08 Iraq troop surge. Many have raced to support Petraeus in the days since word emerged that the most acclaimed military officer of his generation might face felony charges.

Insiders began speculating about Petraeuss return to the fore of national-security policymaking circles almost immediately after his November 2012 resignation following the revelation of an extramarital affair. But the persistence of the FBI probe which has yet to produce an indictment has delayed his reemergence.

Even though leaks inquiries have ruined other careers and lives, Petraeuss many high-profile political champions suggest an inevitability to his return, particularly in the event that Clinton receives the Democratic presidential nomination.

Petraeus resigned the CIA directorship after an inquiry by the FBI, which determined that his biographer Paula Broadwell possessed classified information on her computer, raising suspicions that Petraeus provided it to her. He has denied the accusation.

The FBIs investigation into Petraeus has lasted about three years; according to statute, it can persist for 10 years without an indictment. According to the New York Times, federal prosecutors have now recommended that the Justice Department bring charges against him, prompting a chorus of outrage from Petraeuss many Washington allies.

Petraeus retains his security clearance, which permits him access to classified and sensitive information, though it is unclear if he currently uses it. Even as the FBI inquiry continues, Petraeus has continued to advise the Obama administration on Iraq, Bloomberg View has reported. Yet he has uncharacteristically avoided high-profile appearances and policy speeches.

Outgoing Attorney General Eric Holder said on Sunday that the inquiry into his former colleague in administration cabinet meetings would proceed in a fair and appropriate way.

The last several days have seen an outpouring of support for Petraeus from politicians who typically consider unauthorized disclosures to be serious offenses.

More here:
Politicians apply double standard in support of David Petraeus amid FBI leaks inquiry

TRENTON A Democratic group with ties to former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton today filed another complaint against Gov. Chris Christie over his recent trip to Dallas to root for the Cowboys.

American Democracy Legal Fund charges Christie knowingly violated federal criminal law and wants the U.S. attorney to investigate the governor for accepting gifts from Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. The request for a criminal complaint against the governor comes after the group last week filed a complaint with the New Jersey State Ethics Commission over the trip.

The group claims Christie violated federal law that prohibits extortion that interferes with interstate commerce, arguing the governor accepted gifts in return for his influence. They argue the flight and seats inside the owners luxury box at NFL games violated state rules because Jones is a part-owner of a hospitality company Legends Hospitality that was awarded a lucrative Port Authority of New York and New Jersey hospitality services contract, according to published reports.

If your office's investigation confirms that Governor Christie accepted gifts from Mr. Jones in violation of federal criminal law, it should prosecute the alleged violation and all other violations discovered as a result of your investigation to the fullest extent permitted by law, wrote Brad Woodhouse, treasurer for American Democracy Legal Fund, in the letter.

Woodhouse is also the president of American Bridge, a group that conducts opposition research on Republican officials. American Democracy Legal Fund and American Bridge were founded by Clinton ally and Media Matters founder David Brock.

The governors office didnt immediately respond for comment, but dismissed American Democracy Legal Fund s earlier complaint with the states ethics commission as partisan politics.

Is anyone surprised pro-Hilary PACs like American Bridge and partisan organizations like the DNC are using the governors support of a football team for a political hit? Maria Comella, Christies spokeswoman, said last week.

American Bridge has gone after Christie several times before. In June 2014, the group criticized the governor for using the state helicopter to get to a town hall event located a short drive to Trenton about 40 minutes without traffic.

Matt Arco may be reached at marco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MatthewArco. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.

Follow this link:
Group with ties to Hillary Clinton files another complaint over Chris Christie's Dallas trip

Elizabeth Warren Continues Crusade Against Hillary Clinton and Her Wall Street Donor Pals
Elizabeth Warren Continues Crusade Against Hillary Clinton and Her Wall Street Donor Pals (January 5, 2014)

By: Washington Free Beacon

See original here:
Elizabeth Warren Continues Crusade Against Hillary Clinton and Her Wall Street Donor Pals - Video

Hillary Clinton is ready to run on President Obamas record when it comes to the economy.

Clinton allies say that if the former secretary of Statedoes in fact announce a second bid for the presidency this year,they expect thatshell tether herself to a main slice of Obamas legacy.

But even as Clinton embraces Obamas economic record,they expect her totelegraphthat more needs to be done to help the middle class, a message Obama will highlight in his State of the Union address later this month.

They also predict that Clintonwillpresent policies distinct from those of the Obama administration she served, andevenher own husbands administration, which is regularly credited with presiding over years of strong economic growth.

This tack, allies say,will allow her to to carve out her own identity andprovide her with the opportunity to speak about education, making housing more affordable and helping younger Americans find jobs and build her own narrative.

She'll be running armed with the currentinformation and with programs and plans and polices that she wants to support, said Ellen Tauscher, the former congresswoman who serves as undersecretary for Arms Control and International Security Affairs at the State Department under Clinton.

Democratic strategist Jim Manley said that he expects Clinton to keep pretty close to the administrations basic economic policies. But, he added, I wouldnt be surprised if she found ways to exploit the growing debate on economic equality.

One longtime Clinton ally agrees with that sentiment. This source said Clinton would argue for a Main Street platform that combines certain kinds of tax reform, trade agreements and investment strategies, perhaps fashioned around overarching goals.

This is an approach that a Republican candidate could choose to take too; what will matter is who does it best, the ally said.

Republicansfrom the RNC to the superPAC AmericaRising--are already working to portray Clinton as a third term for Obama.

Excerpt from:
Clinton now ready to embrace President Obama on economy

Bill Clinton's name being tied to Jeffrey Epstein has greatly upset his wife, a new report claims Epstein was convicted in 2008 for soliciting prostitution from a minor The financierhad contact information for Bill Clinton, including his email addresses and phone numbers, court documents say Bill Clinton often went on Epstein's private plane before stopping in 2005, the documents say The Clintons earlier this week went to the funeral of former New York governor Mario Cuomo Hillary Clinton was seen 'storming in right past him' into the church, a source has alleged

By Zoe Szathmary for MailOnline

Published: 00:17 EST, 9 January 2015 | Updated: 05:56 EST, 9 January 2015

148 shares

157

View comments

Bill Clinton's name being recently linked to registered sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has greatly upset his wife, according to a report published Thursday.

An unnamed source toldPage Six'Talk in Washington is that Hillary is furious with Bill about all this new information on Jeffrey Epstein.'

Court documents from 2011 describe Clinton's connection to Epstein, the news outlet reported. Epstein was convicted in 2008 for soliciting prostitution from a minor.

An excerpt of the documents, obtained by The Smoking Gun, said from 2002 to 2005 that 'Clinton frequently flew with Epstein aboard his plane, then suddenly stopped - raising the suspicion that the friendship abruptly ended, perhaps because of events related to Epstein's sexual abuse of children.

Original post:
Hillary Clinton 'upset Bill Clinton's name has been ...