The Bush White House has tapped Dorrance Smith, a former media advisor to the now-defunct Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq and an ABC News producer, to be the Pentagon’s chief spokesman. Smith would take over for acting head of Public Affairs Lawrence DiRita. DiRita, who took over the post from Victoria Clarke, had been nominated for the job, but he withdrew his name when consideration lapsed on Capitol Hill. According to DiRita’s office, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has not named a new posting for DiRita.
Back from a Thanksgiving week recess, the push to pass the 2022 National Defense Authorization Act hit another snag Nov. 29, as the Senate voted against ending debate on its version of the bill. At the same time, Congress is staring down a Dec. 3 expiration date for its continuing…