turning up roses

ethically challenged

117 | His campaign spinning out of control and poll numbers plummeting amid a swirling ethics controversy, Sen. Robert Torricelli (R-N.J.) tearfully and angrily quit his reelection bid. He demanded that the New Jersey Supreme Court waive state law and print new ballots with someone else's name on them. Democrats, fearing an easy Republican pickup by political novice Doug Forrester over the defenseless Torricelli, cut him loose and quickly won the first round of the legal battle. They coaxed former Sen. Frank Lautenberg out of retirement and rallied around him, as Republicans filed appeals and Mr. Forrester complained his opponents were trying to "rig the system to their advantage." Hawaii Democrats insisted their faithful turn out and vote for Rep. Patsy Mink, who recently won a primary election, but died on Sept. 28 after a three-week illness.

homeland (job) security

77 | Hope faded that the Senate could reach compromise on a bill to create a Department of Homeland Security before the Senate adjourned for the fall campaign. Democrats insisted that the White House and Republicans were responsible for the delay-because they would not agree to provisions that would grant new powers to federal employees' unions. President Bush cast the choice as between common sense and Washington business as usual. Both sides claim "bipartisan support" for their ideas. Sen. Zell Miller (D-Ga.) has endorsed "management flexibility" for the president. Sen. Lincoln Chafee (R-R.I.) joined with Democrats in proposing a compromise that would give the president limited powers to overrule federal employee unions. TeamBush quickly called the Chafee plan, which mirrors a House bill by fellow liberal Republican Connie Morella, a "nonstarter." Sen. Rick Santorum, who heads the Senate Republican Conference, said President Bush has been steadfast, telling him to take the message to colleagues: "If you can't pass a good bill, don't send me any bill because it will be vetoed."

hard times

70 | In its annual report on income and poverty, the U.S. Census Bureau reported that 1.3 million more Americans slipped below the government's official poverty line last year, the first increase since 1993. Unlike most recessions, the increase was larger in white households and rural and suburban areas, especially in the South. The median household income fell 2.2 percent last year to $42,228, after adjusting for inflation, the first drop since 1991. The stock market had its worst month since 1987. Average mortgage interest rates for a 30-year loan dipped to a low of 6.34 percent, a number not seen in 31 years of record keeping, before tilting upward again. A year ago, the rate averaged 7 percent. But the Mortgage Bankers of America added that foreclosures are at a record high.