The Weekend Word: Relevance

By JADA F. SMITH

Today?s Times

• Recent developments among candidates on the right have intensified questions for those in charge of Iowa?s Republican caucuses about how relevant the outcome will be. Newt Gingrich?s entire Iowa staff resigned this week, Mitt Romney announced Thursday that he would skip the state?s Republican straw poll and Jon M. Hunstman Jr. conceded that he was likely to skip the Iowa caucuses altogether. The Times?s Michael D. Shear reports on signs that the state?s influence on the nominating process could be ebbing, and the nature of the voters who tend to turn out for the Republican caucuses is discouraging some candidates from competing there.

• Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi sent a thank-you note to Congress for criticizing President Obama in a resolution that was passed last week over his involvement in the NATO-led military campaign in Libya. ?I want to express my sincere gratitude for your thoughtful discussion of the issues,? Colonel Qaddafi wrote in the letter, a copy of which was supplied to The Times by a person seeking to defend the administration?s policy. He expressed hope that the lawmakers would continue to pressure the administration, although the resolution that was submitted by Speaker John A. Boehner did not advocate withdrawing from the operation, The Times?s Mark Landler reports.

• As more gay men and lesbians from both parties seek public office, one group is becoming a force behind the trend, raising money, providing advice and endorsing candidates. The Times?s Sheryl Gay Stolberg reports on the Gay and Lesbian Victory Fund and its crash course in campaign strategies that offer stark evidence of how far gay and lesbian politicians have come ? and how quickly.

• Some 24,000 e-mails of Sarah Palin?s were released by the State of Alaska on Friday, showing in minute detail how she went overnight from being a small-state governor midway through her first term to a dominant figure in Republican politics. The Times?s Jim Rutenberg and William Yardley report from Juneau, Alaska, on the unusual event that provides an intimate look into a governor?s day-to-day interactions and draws criticism from Ms. Palin?s supporters of the intense media scrutiny surrounding the documents.

Weekly Address

• This week?s address came in the wake of the president?s announcement of an agreement between the private sector, colleges and the National Association of Manufacturers that will make it possible for 500,000 community college students to get an industry-approved manufacturing credential. ?If you?re a company that?s hiring, you?ll know that anyone who has this degree has the skills you?re looking for,? he said. ?If you?re a student considering community college, you?ll know that your diploma will give you a leg up in the job market.? He used the new initiative to promote his efforts to revive the still-sluggish economy. His goal, he said, is not to rely on the government for job creation, but to partner with the private sector to spur growth. �?These are steps we know will make a difference in people?s lives ? not just 20 years from now, or 10 years from now, but now, and in the months to come,? he said.

Around the Web

• The scandal surrounding Representative Anthony D. Weiner of New York has started a different kind of trend on Twitter ? members of Congress have changed their tweeting habits and become even more cautious with messages sent over the social networking site. Lawmakers have tweeted 30 percent less after Mr. Weiner?s accident, The Atlantic reports.

Happenings Around Washington

• For the 16th straight week, Libyan-Americans will have a demonstration in Lafayette Park to show solidarity with the people of Libya.

• A group of American history enthusiasts will host a viewing of a Civil War-era passenger balloon on the National Mall.

Al Hubbard Joins Pawlenty Team

The head of George W. Bush?s economic council joins the Pawlenty campaign.

Video: Gingrich Campaign Implodes; Palin E-Mails Released

Michael D. Shear on the next steps for the Newt Gingrich campaign. Also, Jim Rutenberg previews the release of thousands of pages of Sarah Palin?s old e-mails.

Qaddafi Writes to Congress

Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi writes to members of Congress to thank them for criticizing President Obama last week for the NATO-led military campaign in Libya.

Is Iowa Still Relevant for Republicans?

More questions for those in charge of the state?s Republican caucuses about how relevant the outcome will be.

Qaddafi Writes to Congress

Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi writes to members of Congress to thank them for criticizing President Obama last week for the NATO-led military campaign in Libya.

Is Iowa Still Relevant for Republicans?

More questions for those in charge of the state?s Republican caucuses about how relevant the outcome will be.

Source: http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/06/11/the-weekend-word-relevance/

pay income the health bill the care bill prop23