Inside Politics

Jackson’s comments

Project 21, a conservative black group, is going after the Rev. Jesse Jackson for accusing the United States of “a crime against humanity” for liberating Iraq from dictator Saddam Hussein.

Mr. Jackson made the comments, reported in the Boston Herald, before and during a speech at the 21st Century Black Massachusetts Conference in Boston on April 3.

The former Democratic presidential hopeful called the U.S. liberation of Iraq “a crime against humanity” and said Iraqi deaths resulting from the actions of U.S. forces are “murder.” He encouraged the United Nations to sanction the United States and consider the use of military force: “I’m not sure the U.N. has the power to act against us in a military way, but they have the right to make a moral judgment.”

Mr. Jackson also called on Congress to determine whether President Bush’s war policies were impeachable offenses, but said Congress bears no responsibility for the war, despite having voted to authorize it.

Mr. Jackson’s statements were first brought to national attention by the National Legal and Policy Center, a conservative watchdog group that is urging Coca-Cola to stop making six-figure contributions to Mr. Jackson’s organizations.

Michael King, a Project 21 National Advisory Council member, said: “Jesse Jackson’s motives have never been as transparent as they were with these statements. If anyone needs to apologize, it’s him. He indulges his fantasies and delusions of grandeur by calling for Bush’s impeachment and calling for United Nations action against us. But blacks are beginning to see the truth — that Jackson’s bluster is exactly that: all smoke and no substance.”

Expensive haircut

Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry flew his Washington hairdresser to Pittsburgh for a touch-up on the Friday before his recent appearance on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Matt Drudge writes at www.drudgereport.com.

Cristophe stylist Isabelle Goetz was flown to Pittsburgh at great cost, Mr. Drudge said.

“Her entire schedule had to be rearranged,” an anonymous source said.

A Kerry campaign spokesman refused to say whether the hairdresser flew by private jet on April 16 or on the official Kerry For President campaign plane.

“The total expense for the hair touch-up is estimated to be more than $1,000,” Mr. Drudge said, citing “insiders.”

“One source suggests the hairdresser was flown to Pittsburgh on Teresa Heinz Kerry’s ’Flying Squirrel,’ a Gulfstream V private jet.”

The Flying Squirrel — which is outfitted with a plasma TV, two bathrooms, fancy mahogany and burlwood paneling and gold-plated fixtures — “is worth about $35 million,” Mr. Drudge said.

An unidentified campaign source told the Internet columnist: “Senator Kerry thinks Isabelle does a superb job.”

The hairdresser, who grew up in a small town in eastern France, also does the hair of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, New York Democrat.

Party switchers

The pro-GOP trend in Georgia continues as two senior members of the state House have announced that they are leaving the Democratic Party.

State Reps. Tommy Smith, chairman of the State Planning and Community Affairs Committee, and Bob Lane, chairman of the Game, Fish and Park Committee, both joined the Republicans on Monday, increasing the size of the Republican Caucus in the 180-seat House to 75.

Mr. Smith told United Press International that he “had contemplated the switch for some time,” because conservative pieces of legislation “tend to stay in committee and never seem to come up for a vote on the assembly floor.”

“In my district, eight out of 10 of my constituents support these issues,” Mr. Smith said, adding that other conservative Democrats are in the same position.

It is not clear whether Mr. Smith and Mr. Lane will have to give up their committee chairmanships as a result of their decisions, but Mr. Smith said he would do so if instructed by House Speaker Terry Coleman, a Democrat.

Good start

BattleGround, a weekly publication started in January to track campaign news and action from a state perspective, seems to be off to a strong start.

Initially targeted to 4,000 key readers, the newsletter is now being read by more than 90,000 people, said its editor and publisher, Morris L. Reid, managing director of Westin Rinehart and a former Clinton administration official.

“We are excited, though not surprised, by the instant popularity of BattleGround,” said Mr. Reid, who said people are inundated with election news from a national perspective and are eager for local perspectives on races.

BattleGround compiles local stories from states related to campaigns and election news, and adds its own editorial perspective on what happened that week. It also features a roundup of quotes from governors and mayors across the nation, a section called “The List” that features movers and shakers, and a place devoted to insider information on the key drivers for this election season.

The newsletter can be found at www.westinrinehart.com/battleground.

Women’s hero

Despite pre-election accusations that he groped women on movie sets, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger received an award Monday from a group that honors supporters of women’s issues.

Women Organized for Mentoring, Education & Networking presented the former bodybuilder with a medallion and touted his “long-standing efforts on behalf of children, education and health,” Reuters news agency reports.

“I have received many awards in my life from many different organizations, but I think this one today is without any doubt one of the most important ones I ever received,” Mr. Schwarzenegger told the 350 people — mostly women — attending the luncheon in Beverly Hills.

Giant flip-flop

A conservative activist called our attention to the Web site www.greatbigstuff.com, which is advertising a 3-foot flip-flop for $184.

“This size 86 beach sandal is a beautifully crafted replica of a popular style by shoe giant, Skechers. It’s 3-feet long, 5-inches thick and nearly a foot wide!” the advertisement says. “This work of art is made from the same materials as its wearable counterpart — thick rubberized foam in red, white and blue with translucent red straps. Inlayed blue flower and Skechers brand name adds to the detail. This limited edition collectible will make this shoe an eye-catching accent by the pool. Available in right-foot only.”

The conservative activist predicted that the “very limited quantities” of the giant flip-flop would be quickly bought up by right-footed foes of Sen. John Kerry.

• Greg Pierce can be reached at 202/636-3285 or gpierce@washingtontimes.com.