Kennedy Called It a 'Devious Maneuver'

Now some fresh pickings from the Political Grapevine:

Senator Ted Kennedy (search) has called the recess appointment of John Bolton (search) as U.N. ambassador a "devious maneuver that evades the constitutional requirement of Senate consent." But nearly six years ago — when Republicans were blocking President Clinton's nominees to various posts, and warning against recess appointments — Kennedy said, "I have long urged recess appointments to break this logjam — this irresponsible, unconstitutional Republican leadership position which fails to give people their due and fails to meet the constitutional standard."

Bolton Has ‘Built-In Handicaps’?

Speaking of Bolton's recess appointment, the AP calls it an "in-your-face" and "confrontational" move. And, in what's billed as a news analysis piece, the AP says Bolton has "built-in handicaps," insisting, "He lacks the stature that comes with Senate approval. And he starts out as a lame duck." The article relies heavily on quotes from Robert Boorstin, who was a National Security Council aide in the Clinton White House. It also quotes Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid (search).

Virginia Republican Senator George Allen (search) is quoted only in passing, as an example of Republicans who "weren't happy" with the president's decision. But, in fact, Allen was not unhappy with President Bush, he was unhappy with the Senate — which, he said, left the president no choice.

Fit For Command, Doctors Say

After President Bush's annual check-up over the weekend, doctors from Bethesda Naval Medical Center (search) said the commander-in-chief was in "superior" physical shape, at five-eleven, and 191 pounds. But, according to the U.S. Health Department's own standards, that height and weight mean President Bush is "overweight."

Meanwhile, Democrats say it's unfair that President Bush is so fit, since he's forced schools to roll back physical education programs with cuts in education funding. The DNC says, "[President Bush's] personal habits indicate that physical fitness is not just fun and games for him. Don't our kids deserve the same opportunities to be physically fit?"

Jerusalem Going To Be a Palestinian City?

Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia — who has vowed to work for peace in the Middle East — says Israel's planned withdrawal from settlements in Gaza will eventually lead to a Palestinian takeover of Jerusalem, declaring, "We are telling the entire world: today Gaza, and tomorrow Jerusalem. Today Gaza and tomorrow ... [an] independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital."

He didn't say exactly how that's going to happen. But, while speaking to Palestinian troops, he did call the pending withdrawal "the beginning of the freeing of the entire homeland."

— FOX News' Michael Levine contributed to this report