John McCaslin

Sanford says he ‘crossed lines’ with additional women

Embattled South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford acknowledged Tuesday that he "crossed lines" during his marriage, with women in addition to the Argentine girlfriend he disclosed last week, as information surfaced that he had a romantic interlude as early as 1995 on an official congressional trip to Chile.

July 1, 2009

Inside the Beltway

It's been 17 years and change since I began penning Inside the Beltway for The Washington Times. Shortly thereafter, the daily column became a feature of the Los Angeles Times Syndicate and Chicago's Tribune Media Services. And as technology has progressed beyond paper, so has the column, appearing regularly on popular Internet sites, including Townhall.com.

June 15, 2009

Inside the Beltway

As the fate of the Guantanamo Bay detention facility for terrorism suspects dangles in the wind awaiting President Obama's decision, the Pentagon has made it clear that the controversial U.S. Navy base, seaport and airstrip in Cuba - the only strategic U.S. military installation in the Caribbean - will continue to function in full operation, as will its McDonald's, Taco Bell and Starbucks.

June 3, 2009

Inside the Beltway

A follow-up to Monday's item on Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. and whether his so-called indiscipline and frequent gaffes have strained his relationship with President Obama.

June 2, 2009

Inside the Beltway

"Not a shred of truth to it." Or so a senior White House official tells this columnist, referring to reports that President Obama and Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr.'s relationship is "strained" because of the latter's indiscipline and frequent gaffes.

June 1, 2009

Inside the Beltway

The U.S. Postal Service's designers have finally figured out how to get that ski-slope nose inside the frame and are releasing a new 44-cent stamp honoring famed comedian Bob Hope.

May 29, 2009

Inside the Beltway

"Date on which Barack Obama implemented new ethics guidelines restricting former lobbyists' roles in government: 1/21/09. "Days later that he waived the guidelines for the deputy secretary of defense: 1." -Harper's Index, June 2009.

May 28, 2009

Inside the Beltway

Unlike the bound encyclopedias of the past, it took only seconds Tuesday for the Internet's wealth of online encyclopedias to update their Nancy Drew pages to show the fictional girl detective's influence on a number of prominent American women.

May 27, 2009

Inside the Beltway

Thirty two months after North Korea conducted a nuclear test, presidents Bush and Obama have done little to deter the Communist nation.

May 26, 2009

Inside the Beltway

Where's Paul Begala's new book on Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr.'s outrageous flurry of blunders and gaffes since he took office in January?

May 22, 2009

Inside the Beltway

Graduating midshipmen of the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis are being told in writing to leave at home or in their vehicles all "ceremonial swords" and anything else "that might be considered a weapon or a threat by screeners" for Friday's outdoor commencement ceremonies featuring an address by President Barack Obama.

May 21, 2009

Inside the Beltway

Traveling overseas is always risky for a vice president, especially this one.

May 20, 2009

Inside the Beltway

It is indeed unusual to bump into recently retired five-term Virginia Republican Sen. John Warner and have him hand you his business card: "John W. Warner, Partner, Hogan & Hartson LLP, Columbia Square, 555 Thirteenth Street NW, Washington, D.C."

May 19, 2009

‘Weed Man:’ A new book’s tale

An excerpt from John McCaslin's new book, "Weed Man: The Remarkable Journey of Jimmy Divine."

May 19, 2009

Inside the Beltway

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin can thank Washington lobbyist and political consultant Rick Davis, chief executive officer of John McCain's 2008 presidential campaign, for being the ultimate pick to become the Republican vice presidential candidate.

May 18, 2009

Inside the Beltway

As downsizing continues in journalism, it's difficult to find a top-notch White House correspondent who can get the facts straight when filing a White House pool report, as in the one this week: "Correction: The UN seal was on the podium, not the presidential seal. And it's Elmo, not Elmer, on 'Sesame Street.' "

May 8, 2009

Inside the Beltway

The public feud between Hollywood actor Josh Lucas and renowned pollster Frank Luntz has no sign of dissipating before Friday's Washington premiere of the Barry Levinson documentary "PoliWood."

May 6, 2009

Inside the Beltway

Longtime CIA spokesman Mark Mansfield (he has served in one or another public affairs capacity for nine CIA directors) is moving to a new assignment at the spy agency.

May 5, 2009

Inside the Beltway

Not surprisingly, after two decades on the U.S. Supreme Court, Justice David H. Souter has announced his pending retirement at age 69.

May 4, 2009

Inside the Beltway

We had to laugh at Sen. Michael Bennet, Colorado Democrat, when he reminded his colleagues on the Senate floor: "It has been somewhat less remarked upon, but this week also happens to mark my first 100 days in office."

May 1, 2009