Inside Politics

Another supporter

The nation’s most prominent liberal newspaper yesterday followed the AARP in endorsing a Medicare prescription-drug bill drafted by a House-Senate conference committee.

“Despite its shortcomings, the Medicare prescription-drug bill heading for a vote in Congress is worthy of passage,” the New York Times said in an editorial, adding: “Fears that the legislation contains seeds that will ultimately destroy the traditional Medicare program strike us as overblown.”

The newspaper said its “chief qualm” is that the legislation would exacerbate the federal budget deficit.

Blame the GOP

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court this week gave the state legislature 180 days to pave the way for homosexual “marriages,” but don’t blame the Democrats.

“Six of the seven justices of the Supreme Judicial Court, the highest court in Massachusetts, were appointed by Republican governors.” Paul J. Martinek writes in Lawyers Weekly USA.

“However, the court is far from a conservative one. Those Republican governors were very liberal on social issues and had strong gay-rights records,” Mr. Martinek said.

Dreier stays put

Republican Rep. David Dreier opted out of a bid for California’s U.S. Senate race yesterday despite pressure from top Republican officials who viewed him as the best candidate to challenge incumbent Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer in 2004.

The 12-term congressman, whose chairmanship of the House Rules Committee makes him one of the most powerful lawmakers, gained prominence in California and nationally as one of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s most visible advisers during the recall election campaign against Democrat Gray Davis.

But in an interview with the Associated Press yesterday, Mr. Dreier said he was content to remain in the House and to continue assisting Mr. Schwarzenegger on transition matters.

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