Sen. Pat Roberts appeared on CBS’ “Face the Nation” over the weekend to discuss the latest taped threat from Osama bin Ladaen_SCHIEFFER: Senator Roberts, I know you got briefed on this by the intelligence agencies. What should we make of this threat that Osama bin Laden made, saying that he was planning some new attacks inside the United States?__Senator PAT ROBERTS (Republican, Kansas; Senate Intelligence Committee): Well, Bob, I think the American people have to understand we’re still at war. And I think we ought to take these statements very seriously. I know there’s a lot of talk about this truce, but back in 2004, he offered a truce to Europe. And three months later, you know, he bombed them in Madrid and in London. So, I think if you take that line that he said, `We are preparing every minute, and every minute we’re ready. We’re going to attack you in your homeland.’ I think we have to take that very seriously.__I know of no specific threat that is tied to him. But the fact that he did say that, I think is important. One thing I wonder is why he didn’t do a videotape as opposed to an audiotape. So you have to wonder about his state of health and all of that. I don’t think he’s quite as relevant as he used to be. I think Mr. Zarqawi and Mr. Zawahiri, his top aide, I think they are more relevant in terms of actually activity._ Roberts didn’t just touch on terrorism. He also addressed growing concerns about Iran’s nuclear capabilities.The New York Times reports that Roberts isn’t quite as ready to go to war with Iraq as is Sen. John McCain:“Both parties are internally divided on Iran. After the enormous controversy over what critics said was the Bush administration’s failure to secure adequate international backing before invading Iraq, some Republicans and Democrats now accuse it of relying too heavily on diplomacy….”Reflecting the split among Republicans, Senator Pat Roberts of Kansas, the chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said today that talk of the military option was premature.”‘I would never rule that out,’ he said on CBS, ‘but at this particular time, I just do not think that is any kind of an alternative.'”Voice of America adds that Roberts doesn’t consider sanctions a viable alternative:”Sanctions do not work unless you have a unified position among all trading partners with Iran,” said Kansas Senator Pat Roberts speaking on CBS’ Face the Nation program. “Now, in the Security Council you have a problem, because you have China and Russia who trade with Iran. And they are not going to permit any sanctions.”Other links today:Sam Brownback links:(Christian Newswire press release):NPLAC is proud to co-sponsor The National Memorial for the Pre-born and their Mothers and Fathers, which is the only pro-life prayer service that takes place within the Capitol precinct. Now in its 11th year, the memorial-which will be held on Monday, January 23 at 8:30 a.m. in Russell 325-was co-founded by Paul Chaim Schenck, with his twin-brother the Rev. Rob Schenck, president of Faith and Action. Participants include clergy and lay leaders from a broad spectrum of denominational traditions and communities who will join in prayer for an end to abortion and the healing of a generation. Sen. Sam Brownback (R-Kan.) will receive the 2006 Pro-Life Leadership Award.(Working for Change) Hybrids on the Hill: 2006 legislative look: Two of these are comprehensive oil savings bills that set oil savings targets for federal agencies to meet. Both the House bill (H.R. 4409) and the Senate version (S. 2025) include several provisions that would help reduce oil usage for certain vehicles, but there is still no guarantee that the entire oil savings goals would actually be met. They’re popular, at least in concept, as these bills have drawn together a diverse collection of supporters, from conservatives like Sam Brownback (R-KS), Jack Kingston (R-GA), and Jeff Sessions (R-AL) to moderate to liberal members such as Evan Bayh (D-IN) and Elliot Engel (D-NY). This newly formed collaboration on both sides of the aisle is a sign of increasing support for reducing our use of petroleum and increasing advanced technology vehicle availability through a variety of policy approaches.Jim Ryun links:(Joplin Globe) Baxter Springs students quiz U. S. Rep. Jim Ryun on Iraq, gay marriage: Baxter Springs High School students on Thursday questioned U.S. Rep Jim Ryun, R-Kan., on topics including censorship, gay marriage and the Iraq war. … “I support what we’re doing in Iraq,” Ryun said in response to a question about the war. In his explanation, he mentioned American reporter Jill Carroll, who was abducted Jan 7 in Iraq. He also seemed to try to link the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks with Iraq.Todd Tiahrt links:(Richmond Times-Dispatch) Cantor leading race for House whip, analysts say: As talk of lobbying reform swept Congress, Rep. Eric I. Cantor of Virginia, an insider candidate for the No. 3 House Republican leadership job, appeared to hold on to front-runner status. … In the wake of the Abramoff in- fluence-peddling scandal, Cantor’s rivals, preparing for a possible contest for the House whip job, have portrayed themselves as agents of change. Rep. Mike Rogers of Michigan has written colleagues about representing a “fresh voice.” Rep. Todd Tiahrt of Kansas was backed by a colleague who said, “We need a new face on leadership.” And Rep. Zach Wamp of Tennessee cautioned, “The status quo will not suffice.”(Wichita Eagle) Kansas Democrats bide their time with Tiahrt:Once again, Kansas Democrats are unlikely to field more than token opposition to Rep. Todd Tiahrt, who with each cycle seems more likely to become a congressman for life, if he wants it. On the surface, the Goddard Republican could seem beatable this year. America’s political mood is anti-incumbent. Democrats in Kansas are better organized than usual. … Despite all that, the six-term incumbent is unlikely to face serious competition in 2006.