TUESDAY’S MINI-REPORT…. Today’s edition of quick hits:
* Libya: “Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi’s forces appeared to make little headway in a concerted assault on rebels in several cities around the country and in a sustained attack early Tuesday morning in the western city of Zawiyah.”
* More on Libya: “Locked in a standoff with forces loyal to Moammar Gaddafi, opposition leaders here debated Tuesday whether to request foreign airstrikes against the longtime ruler’s military installations and other key facilities.”
* House extends shutdown deadline: “The GOP-controlled House handily passed legislation Tuesday to cut the federal budget by $4 billion and avert a partial shutdown of the government for two weeks.” (More on this in the morning, including why this was a much-needed win for Boehner.)
* Afghanistan: “Six NATO troops were killed in attacks across Afghanistan on Monday, one of the deadliest days for the international force this winter, military officials said.”
* Opening doors in Madison: “A County, Wisc., judge has issued a temporary restraining order to reopen the Wisconsin Capitol building to the public. Capitol access was restricted over the weekend and again this morning, following days in which the building had been crowded with protesters.”
* It’s curious that the first resignation forced by Issa was one of his own aides: “House Oversight and Government Reform Chairman Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) fired Kurt Bardella, one of Capitol Hill’s top press secretaries, after he provided e-mailed correspondence with other journalists to New York Times reporter Mark Leibovich.”
* I didn’t have the stomach to write about it, but Charles Koch has an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal today, whining about, among other things, “crony capitalism.” For compelling reactions, check out Yglesias and Brad Johnson.
* More than 300 economists, including some Nobel Laureates, agree that deep budget cuts would hurt the U.S. economy. They’re right.
* This probably won’t help his reputation: “A report published by a British magazine on Tuesday said the WikiLeaks founder, Julian Assange, suggested that British journalists, including the editor of the newspaper The Guardian, were engaged in a Jewish-led conspiracy to smear his organization.”
* In a surprise move, Frank Rich is moving from the New York Times to New York magazine.
* Speaking of media, Fox News’ Mike Tobin claims he was “punched” by a protester in Madison, Wisconsin. Video evidence suggests he’s lying.
* In related news, how offensive is Fox News’ Jesse Waters? Even Fox News’ Bernie Goldberg won’t defend him.
* Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R) considers Ciudad Juarez “the most dangerous city in America.” Ciudad Juarez is in Mexico.
Anything to add? Consider this an open thread.
