Political Grapevine: 4/14

" And now some fresh pickings from the political grapevine. The first dog was billed as a big news story by other media outlets today one of our competitors actually called it quote. A major event for this White House and they weren't joking. -- was officially unveiled this afternoon and the build up was just ripping. Monday Newsweek declared quote. Only one more night to hold your doggy breath the Washington Post said -- a handsome little guy well suited for -- publications at the White House. He's got tuxedo black fur with a white chest white -- and a rake ish white goatee. US news and world report even published its top ten things to know about -- In all of this -- hysteria. Some are unhappy that the president broke a campaign promise to adopt a dog from a shelter. That pledge the White House claims was complicated by the fact that the Obama girls needed a breed of dog that would not aggravate their allergies. However an official at the infinite hope rescue group easily found a Portuguese Water Dog the same -- At a northern Virginia shelter adding quote. I am really disappointed. President Obama's nominee for health and Human Services Secretary has greatly understated political donations she received from a controversial abortion doctor. Kansas democratic governor Kathleen sibelius told the Senate Finance Committee she received about 12500. Dollars from George tiller. One of the nation's few late term abortion providers. But records indicate tiller gave 23000 dollars more to -- aliases political action committee. The HHS department calls the emission and oversight. It was the second time that -- has had to explain her finances she was forced to pay more than 7000 dollars in back taxes to fix improper deductions to be -- has yet to be confirmed by the full senate. Jay Leno asked Senator John McCain Monday who was leading the Republican Party. McCain said quote Bobby jungle temple anti. Jim Huntsman and Mitt Romney Charlie crest there's a lot of governors out there who are young and dynamic adding. I've left out somebody's name and I'm going to hear about it. Well that somebody is McCain's former running mate Alaska Governor Sarah Palin and some of her supporters are not happy about the -- One blogger on a -- and support site says quote. Sarah saved his political career from total humiliation. And this is the -- she gets from him. A State Department investigation has uncovered serious flaws at the voice of America's Persian division which broadcast to a rock. The Washington times says the report found that none of the network's executive producers speaks Farsi. Meaning content is aired without proper screening so no one in management can understand what's being broadcast. The report says that is quote the source of confusion and sometimes conflict. Which results in a perception of cronyism the operation of clicks and the hiring and rewarding -- qualified people. VOA's director says it will implement the investigations. Recommendation."