The Hollywood Liberal

Report: Bush administration to ?establish a diplomatic presence in Tehran.?
The Bush administration “plans to establish a diplomatic presence in Tehran for the first time in 30 years,” the Guardian reports. This “remarkable turnaround in policy” is “dependent on agreement by Tehran”: The Guardian has learned that an announcement will be made in the next month to establish a US interests section - a halfway house […]

The Bush administration “plans to establish a diplomatic presence in Tehran for the first time in 30 years,” the Guardian reports. This “remarkable turnaround in policy” is “dependent on agreement by Tehran”:

The Guardian has learned that an announcement will be made in the next month to establish a US interests section - a halfway house to setting up a full embassy. The move will see US diplomats stationed in the country.

The news of the shift by Bush who has pursued a hawkish approach to Iran throughout his tenure comes at a critical time in US-Iranian relations. After weeks that have seen tensions rise with Israel conducting war games and Tehran carrying out long-range missile tests, a thaw appears to be under way. […]

The return of US diplomats to Iran is dependent on agreement by Tehran. But President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad indicated earlier this week that he was not against the opening of a US mission. Iran would consider favorably any request aimed at boosting relations between the two countries, he said.

Bush’s apparent embrace of diplomacy with respect to Iran seems to contradict his earlier sentiments that such tactics are akin to Nazi appeasement. (HT: TPM)

Baghdad Embassy Has Its Hands Full With Hill Visitors
When it comes to hosting congressional delegations, the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad likes to think of itself as the eHarmony of Iraq — lawmakers outline what they’re looking for, and officials try to set up the perfect date.

Romney to Write Off Loans to Aid Party
MUSKEGON, Mich., July 17 — Former Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney will reclassify as a gift $45 million in loans he made to his campaign, his spokesman said Thursday, ensuring that he will not compete with presumptive GOP nominee John McCain for donations.

GOP Reformers Face a Tough Fight
The 11th commandment of politics is that elected officials shall not take sides in their party primaries. Then again, Missouri Republicans are burdened with so many sins, what’s one more? For an insight as to why the GOP is down and out in Washington, take a look at Jefferson City. That’s where Sarah Steelman, the state treasurer, is running in an Aug. 5 primary for the Missouri governorship. And it’s where her reform campaign against earmarks and self-dealing is threatening the entrenched status quo, causing her own party to rise against her.