Nation in brief

Army nominee withdraws name

WASHINGTON - Air Force Secretary James Roche, whose nomination as Army secretary is stalled in Congress over a $21-billion leasing deal for Boeing and other issues, asked President Bush on Wednesday to withdraw his name.

Roche's nomination had languished in the Senate Armed Services Committee since July, primarily because of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., who criticized as wasteful and improper the $21-billion air tanker leasing arrangement Roche supported.

The committee also was waiting for an inspector general review of how Air Force leadership, including Roche, responded to allegations of rape and sexual assault at the Air Force Academy.

DETROIT - Ford Motor Co. is recalling more than 1.2-million Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable sedans because of problems with their brake lights and air filters, the company said Wednesday.

Ford is recalling 938,789 Taurus and Sable sedans from the 2000-2003 model years because their brake lights can malfunction. Ford is recalling 281,926 Sable and Taurus sedans from the 2003 model year because the air filter paper in the engine can smolder or burn.

WASHINGTON - President Bush played host to dozens of overnight guests at the White House and Camp David last year, from world leaders to some of his most loyal supporters, including friends who double as campaign fundraisers.

Bush and first lady Laura Bush have invited at least 270 people to stay at the White House and at least the same number to overnight at the Camp David retreat since coming to Washington in January 2001, according to lists the White House gave the Associated Press.

Some Bush guests stayed in the Lincoln Bedroom, a historic room that gained fame in the Clinton administration amid allegations that Democrats were rewarding big donors such as Hollywood celebrities Steven Spielberg and Barbra Streisand with accommodations there.

The Clinton family invited at least 938 overnight guests to the White House in their first four years.

Bush's criticism of the Clinton fundraising scandal is one of the reasons the White House identifies guests.

Bush's overnight guest roster is virtually free of the famous - pro golfer Ben Crenshaw is one of the biggest names. At least nine of Bush's biggest fundraisers stayed at the White House between June 2002 and December 2003, and/or at Camp David last year.

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Election 2004

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