The American Spectator

Washington Prowler

WITH MODERATION
With rumors swirling that her mentor and former colleague at Bain Capital, ex-Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, intends to mount his 2012 presidential race running as the moderate he has always been, prospective California gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman seems to making no bones about her political instincts. 

First, she was caught on video touting the intelligence and efforts of disgraced Obama Administration adviser Van Jones. Now Whitman's campaign book is due for release and its co-author, Joan O'C Hamilton, is revealed to be the co-author of a book written with leftist California District Attorney candidate -- and current San Francisco DA -- Kamala Harris. Harris was an early backer of Barack Obama, and was mentioned for a number of senior Obama White House positions.

Whitman, who has never run for public office, has built a large and impressive campaign team, many of whom worked for Romney's presidential campaign.

Hamilton, is a well-known business journalist, who has co-authored a number of books for business executives and thought leaders. "If you've worked in Silicon Valley, as Meg has, Joan is probably one of two or three writers you'd want to work with, particularly on a business or leadership book," says a Washington-based Whitman adviser. "There is no political connection there; it's just about finding the best person to work with." 

SLOW SURGE
Some Republicans on Capitol Hill are wondering how it's possible for President Barack Obama to call a joint session of Congress to tout his economic plans, but not his plans for the war in Afghanistan. "It's a set of policies with far greater immediate implications," says a Senate Republican leadership aide. "But the White House seems to think it's worthy of a teleprompter speech and a lot of spinning by White House officials. We'd prefer that he come up here and make his case before the American people."

The White House has not indicated how it will roll out the Afghanistan surge policies, though a major rollout is no doubt in the works, from morning shows to late night spinning. Rumors have had an announcement taking place any time from days before Thanksgiving, to the more likely post-Thanksgiving week lull.