Nation digest 02/16/06

Poll: Jackson and Rice top list for black leaders

WASHINGTON -- Jesse Jackson and Condoleezza Rice get the top support among blacks asked to name the nation's "most important black leader," according to an AP-AOL Black Voices poll. Next come Colin Powell and Sen. Barack Obama. Many blacks question whether any one person can wear the leadership mantle for such a large and diverse group of people. At the same time, two-thirds in the poll said leaders in their communities were effective representatives of their interests. When blacks were asked to come up with the person they considered "the most important black leader," 15 percent chose Jackson, a civil rights activist who ran for president in the 1980s, while 11 percent picked Secretary of State Rice, 8 percent chose former Secretary of State Powell, and 6 percent named Obama. About one-third declined to volunteer a name.

Justice Department looks at its role in spy program

WASHINGTON -- The Justice Department has begun an internal inquiry into the conduct of its lawyers who examined the Bush administration's domestic eavesdropping program, the department disclosed Wednesday. The investigation is being conducted by the Office of Professional Responsibility, or OPR, which reviews allegations of misconduct within the law enforcement agency. Marshall Jarrett, the office's counsel, acknowledged the investigation in a letter to Rep. Maurice Hinchey, D-N.Y. Jarrett's letter did not specify which of the agency's actions or employees are being examined.

Moussaoui allowed back in court for jury selection

ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- Unexpectedly allowed back in court, confessed al-Qaida conspirator Zacarias Moussaoui kept quiet Wednesday as two Muslims from South Asia and a Marine Corps lawyer whose boss' Pentagon office blew up on Sept. 11 cleared preliminary hurdles to sit on his sentencing jury. U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema had barred Moussaoui from jury selection Tuesday because he wouldn't promise to stop giving insult-laden speeches. Brinkema did not explain her change of mind in court, but she had said the day before that she might reconsider if Moussaoui decided to alter his behavior.

-- From wire reports