Senator Joe Lieberman's Unusually Strong Denial

Now some fresh pickings from the Political Grapevine:

Setting the Record Straight

Independent Connecticut Senator Joe Lieberman has issued an unusually strong denial of an account in Newsweek magazine about an alleged encounter between the senator and Barack Obama.

The story concerned Obama's perceived problems with the Jewish community. Newsweek's June 7 article cites an Obama aide who says, "Obama told Lieberman he was surprised by Lieberman’s personal attacks and his half-hearted denials of the false rumors that Obama is a Muslim."

But Lieberman wants a correction and his spokesman Marshall Wittman tells FOX News the account is "entirely false and fabricated." A senior aide adds, "If the Obama campaign thinks they are going to intimidate Joe Lieberman with these sleazy tactics then they are sorely mistaken."

Anchor Away

Former NBC News anchor Tom Brokaw chided "Late Show" host David Letterman, Monday, for his claims that the nation is in a horrible state because of President Bush.

Letterman said, "Everything has gone so lousy in the last eight years." But Brokaw snapped back, saying, "Let me remind you that 40 years ago... Dr. King was killed, Bobby Kennedy was killed, we had the Chicago riots, 16,000 people were killed in Vietnam... the Kerner Commission said we are two societies — one white, one black." He said the 1968 election was "as contentious... an election as we've ever had."

Letterman then ranted about global warming, saying reducing carbon emissions by 2020 would be "too late... it's already a hundred degrees now!" But Brokaw implied that Letterman is among those who drive big carbon-emitting vehicles and fly in airplanes that have only two passengers in them.

Fact Check

A former member of the Guantanamo Bay prosecution team says the prison is not the concentration camp that the mainstream media portrays.

Major Kyndra Rotunda writes in her new book "Honor Bound" that Guantanamo detainees get more privileges than many Americans in U.S. prisons. She says one detainee was offered his freedom but responded by saying, "No thanks. The weather will be nicer in my country next spring. I'll wait until then." And, Australian Taliban member David Hicks demanded -- and got -- an $800 Brooks Brothers suit to wear in court, paid for by U.S. taxpayers.

Rotunda writes that detainees live in open bays, eat meals together on picnic tables and serve themselves food from large pots. She adds some have a choice of soccer fields and basketball courts and are offered a selection of basketball shoes upon request.

Hot Pursuit

Dyersburg, Tennessee, Police Chief Terry Ledbetter tried to stop a car Friday night for speeding and reckless driving. Ledbetter says the car sped off and led police on a chase.

When the vehicle was finally pulled over by the highway patrol, officers found 60-year-old Ross Dubrule behind the wheel. Dubrule is a Democratic candidate for the Tennessee House of Representatives.

They say he resisted arrest and had to be handcuffed. Dubrule has been charged with driving under the influence and evading arrest. And, Friday's alleged shenanigans are just another hurdle for his campaign. Dr. Dubrule already faces federal prescription fraud charges from a 2007 incident.

— FOX News Channel's Zachary Kenworthy contributed to this report.