New Wrinkle in Richard Clarke Controversy

And now some fresh pickings from the political grapevine:

New Wrinkle in Richard Clarke Controversy

There's a new wrinkle in the Richard Clarke controversy. A year and a half ago, Clarke, the former counter terrorism chief for both the Clinton and Bush administrations, testified before Congress in a closed-door, classified hearing on the September 11 attacks.

But Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist now wants that testimony declassified. Clarke has recently been saying the Bush administration ignored his warnings and did little to address the terrorist threat.

And Frist says Clarke -- who testified before the 9/11 commission this week -- gave -- "two entirely different stories under oath." At that 2002 classified hearing, according to Frist, Clarke said the Bush administration had actively pursued Al-Qaeda before the attacks on the U.S.

Frist says -- "It is one thing for Mr. Clarke to dissemble in front of the media. But if he lied under oath to the United States Congress, it is a far more serious matter." House Speaker Dennis Hastert has joined Frist's call.

Criticism Making Its Mark?

Speaking of Clarke, a new poll out today suggests his criticism this week of President Bush's war on terrorism may have made its mark. The Rasmussen Reports.com poll shows 51 percent of Americans now say they trust the president over rival John Kerry when it comes to national defense.

Fifty-four percent favored the president just last week. On the other hand, more people say the Clinton administration could have done more to stop the 9/11 attacks ... than those who say that about the Bush administration. And 57 percent of Americans say President Bush's War on Terrorism has in fact made it harder for terrorists to attack the United States.

Edwards Most Likely Running Mate?

The National Journal's new weekly Democratic Insiders Poll shows Democratic Insiders believe John Edwards is Kerry's most likely running mate. Edwards gets the most points from 50 Democratic insiders polled.

They gave their top four choices, with each number one pick getting four points, each number two pick getting three points, each number three getting two points, and each number four getting one point.

Accordingly, Dick Gephardt comes in second in the poll, followed by New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson and Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack. Also making the list are Republican Senator John McCain of Arizona, in ninth place, and Republican Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger of California, who just made the list, at 32nd place.

Blood Buckets

The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is planning to give children at schools and KFC restaurants buckets that look like those from KFC, but are filled with bloodied plastic chickens and fake blood and bones, complete with labels on the bucket that say -- "The colonel's secret recipe: live scalding, painful debeaking, crippled chickens."

KFC insists it has -- "responsible, industry-leading animal welfare standards," saying "PETA has totally crossed the line of free speech and acceptable behavior."

— FOX News' Michael Levine contributed to this report