Noteworthy Democrat Has Some Harsh Words for the Clintons

Now some fresh pickings from the Political Grapevine:

Critic's Corner

Illinois Democratic Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. is ripping the media — and the Clintons — over their conduct in the presidential race. Jackson is national campaign co-chairman for Barack Obama.

The congressman told a Chicago radio station that the media have given Bill Clinton a platform from which to attack Obama while Hillary Clinton — "is sitting around somewhere in a deli" — talking to voters and having what he called "sensitive moments." He says the Clintons are like a tag team wrestling duo that takes turns beating up on Obama.

Jackson says — "the media just needs to tell Bill Clinton to butt out."

Double Standard?

Meanwhile Senator Clinton is being accused of hypocrisy over a statement made during her victory speech in New Hampshire this week.

Clinton said — "The oil companies, the drug companies, the health insurance companies, the predatory student loan companies have had seven years of a president who stands up for them. It's time we had a president who stands up for all of you."

But the Center for Responsive Politics reports Clinton has raised almost $270,000 from the pharmaceutical industry — more than any candidate — Democrat or Republican. She has also raised more than $220,000 from the oil and gas industry. That is more than double what her closest Democratic rivals have raised.

War of Words

Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright has been ripping President Bush and Vice President Cheney during her current book tour. And now Republicans are ripping her back.

Albright told a crowd at a Washington area book signing Wednesday — "I think the judgment is that this is one of the worst presidencies we've had and people will wonder what it is that the role of the vice president is."

That prompted this reply from Danny Diaz of the Republican National Committee: "President Bush has spent the last seven years confronting the dangers that Madeleine Albright let fester under her leadership. No one will take seriously the criticism of a person whose idea of a strong foreign policy was to give a basketball signed by Michael Jordan to Kim Jong Il."

Big Brother?

The California Energy Commission wants the state to be able to adjust thermostats by remote control — giving the government the ability to regulate the temperature of homes under certain circumstances.

Newspapers, the Internet and talk radio are abuzz with the plan — which is expected to be approved in a few weeks. The idea is to regulate energy use during peak periods, or times of high prices or shortages.

But critics are calling the idea draconian. They say it could be dangerous for the sick and the elderly. One think tank expert says "This brings new meaning to the term 'climate control.'" And even people who think the idea has merit are questioning the application. Says Tom Kirey of the CATO Institute — "there is actually some reason behind this idiocy."

Grisly Scene

And our last story is not for the faint of heart — or stomach. When Tyler, Texas police went to arrest a young man suspected of killing his girlfriend — they found the woman's mutilated body — along with an ear boiling in a pot of water — and human flesh on a dinner plate.

So Christopher Lee McCuin is suspected of not only murder — but cannibalism. Now here's where the story gets really weird.

The vice president of PETA — the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals — has written to the sheriff asking that McCuin be given a special vegetarian diet and no meat — so that he does not kill again while in jail.

Bruce Friedrich blames McCuin's alleged crimes on the consumption of animal meat — "Only in a culture where people routinely kill and eat living, feeling beings would anyone even think to kill and eat a human loved one."

Sheriff J.B. Smith says he will not change McCuin's diet — because to do so would be a violation of state law requiring equal treatment for prisoners. And he also says no one in his jail has ever indulged in cannibalism — and — "besides, McCuin is isolated so that the only person he's going to bite is himself."

— FOX News Channel's Martin Hill contributed to this report.