INSIDE POLITICS

• Article
• Comments ()
• Click-2-Listen
• Videos

By

McConnell's retort

The drumbeat forSenate Majority Leader Bill Frist's scalp continued yesterday as reporters grilled Republican leaders over the prescient timing of Mr. Frist's sale of stock in Hospital Corp. of America Inc. -- just months before it tumbled 9 percent in one day this summer.

The company, founded by the Tennessee Republican's family, saw its stock price dive after a poorer than expected earnings report, but Mr. Frist and company officials say Mr. Frist had no insider knowledge.

Despite dual investigations into the sale by the Securities and Exchange Commission and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York, Republicans are standing by their man, Majority Whip Mitch McConnell said yesterday.

"The leader has the unequivocal support of our members," said the Kentucky Republican, who handled Mr. Frist's leadership duties on the Senate floor yesterday. "We've taken a look at the situation. We think that he handled it correctly, and he enjoys total support in our conference, as nearly as I can ascertain."

Asked what he thought about Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean's typically harsh attack on Mr. Frist over the issue, Mr. McConnell tried suppressing a smile before letting loose.

"I sure hope Howard Dean never steps down as chairman of the Democratic National Committee," he said before taking the next question.

Air shortage

Things must be getting desperate over at Air America. Plagued by scandal and low ratings, the liberal radio network last week sent out a "mass e-mail pitch" begging its supporters for contributions, blogger Brian Maloney (radioequalizer.blogspot.com) reports.

In the e-mail, Air America CEO Danny Goldbergtells supporters: "To continue this great success story and start shaping the national debate the way that right-wing talk radio does every day, we've got to reach into every community in this country. We know we can't achieve this next stage of growth without significant help from you, our loyal listeners."