The article can be found here: http://tinyurl.com/2meqly

First, it appears that the gambit on replacing al-Maliki is planned to start next week. The article highlights that in its final two paragraphs:

Allawi will travel to Kurdistan in northern Iraq next week before returning to Baghdad.

"We are going to fight for our country," he said. "We are going to continue our belief in the political process, and we would look to the support of the United States."

This should be considered along with this sentence from higher in the article: "Speaking from Amman, Jordan, Allawi told CNN Sunday he will push for a "nonsectarian course" when he goes back to Baghdad next week -- and said al-Maliki's ouster may be part of the solution."

Thus, it is clear that Allawi fully intends to replace al-Maliki and expects the support of the United States in achieving this.

Second, the article addresses the continuing Zelikow situation. There is much to parse in both the CNN explanation of what has occurred and in their report of their follow-up with him. The relevant section:

Zelikow, who advises the firm on other issues, told CNN he has never been asked by the firm about Allawi, nor spoken to Allawi himself while advising the firm and knows "nothing about their relationship or discussions" with Allawi.

Zelikow said the anti-Maliki campaign does "not involve me directly or indirectly. I don't know about it."

This should be considered in the context of Allawi's comments:

Allawi said Sunday he hired the firm "because of the crucial role of the United States" in Iraq.

"We are asking this firm to help us to advocate our views, the views of the nationalistic Iraqis, the nonsectarian Iraqis,"

I'm an amateur parser, but perhaps Zelikow sees his role as advocating the role of nonsectarian Iraqis. He then is doing this without talking to Allawi or about him to BuGgeR, but through a happy coincidence is addressing the same goals.

Third, Allawi admits the money being paid to BuGgeR is not his own, but that of "an Iraqi person who is a supporter of us".

Finally, lest we lose all faith in the order of the universe and conclude that CNN has returned to actual reporting, we get this nugget regarding Bush and al-Maliki: "Bush has been unwavering in his support for al-Maliki and last week defended him against Levin's attack." I guess last week's on-again, off-again support dance by Bush kind of slipped past them.

1. On victimhood: Another reason I would to the caution against feeling that all is lost and the "evil powers that be" control everything is that this attitude is one of the prerequisites for becoming a terrorist. We are discouraged now because a lawless group has done tremendous damage to our country. However, our country has weathered larger challenges and each time come out stronger. The blogging community has been a bulwark of hope in these days and we need to continue the process of investigation, exposure and action that it allows to each citizen.

Many avenues abound for quick action. I am going to place telephone calls to all of my congresscritters urging an emergency Senate session to prevent a recess appointment and steadfast commitment against a Bush insider or party hack getting the nomination. I've signed up for the MoveOn vigil tomorrow night. There is the general strike scheduled for September 11 and demonstration in Washington on September 15. Get out there and do something. Maybe the Gonzales resignation coming at the same time as the Petraeus-Crocker report will jolt enough people to action that the M$M and Democratic Party will realize something large and important is happening.

2. Suggesting a candidate: Both Florida and the United States would benefit from Charlie Crist becoming AG. For a Republican, his tenure as Florida AG was remarkably accomplished and impartial. Excerpts from his Wikipedia entry:

During his time in office, Crist has been applauded by civil rights and consumer groups for expanding the powers of the Attorney General to prosecute civil rights and fraud cases. He has also received acclaim for his work to combat spam e-mails, freeze utility rates, end telecom deception, and protect the environment.

/snip/

Crist's tenure as Attorney General has been criticized by some. Some activists who had pushed for government intervention in the Terri Schiavo right-to-life case strongly criticized Crist when he did not attempt further legal action to keep Schiavo on life support.

As an AG, Crist appears to be a wonderful public servant. As Governor, not so much. His efforts to slash property taxes dramatically threaten to bankrupt the state, although, to his credit, he has moved to improve the openness of the workings of state government.