energy independence

Daily Briefing: Mind the Intel Gaps

Over 1,300 Iraqis have died in the past week due to the sharp uptick in violence. Asks one Iraqi, “And they say there is no sectarian war? What do you call this?” [WP]
70% of Americans are against the Dubai port deal, including 58% of Republicans; Bush’s approval rating slips to 34% in NYT-CBS poll. [NYT]
Coast Guard assessment cited “many intelligence gaps” in Dubai port deal. [WP, NYT, USAT, WT]
Senate drafts bill to curb earmarks. [WP]
India meets Bush with a new sense of empowerment. [NYT]
Intelligence agencies remain in bureaucratic disarray. [NYT]
Administration will oppose new United Nations panel on human rights. Kofi Annan: “I think we should not let the better be the enemy of the good.” [WP]

Federal judge denies new work rules for Department of Defense; setback for the administration. [WP]
AFL-CIO intends to spend $40m on the midterm elections. [NYT]
55% of Americans are open to the idea of a higher gas tax if it’s productive for the environment and energy security. [NYT]
Administration wants to chop $22m from AmeriCorps. [WP]
Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) urges Red Cross to focus on disaster relief. [NYT, USAT]
Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) draws criticism for possible conflicts of interests concerning his past as a lobbyist. [NYT]

House, by narrow 216 to 214 vote, approves steep cuts in entitlement programs; viewed as victory for Majority Whip Roy Blunt (R-Mo.). [WP, NYT, W$J, USAT]
White House has scaled back their agenda; “Bush has come around to the notion that a presidency can handle only one truly big thing at a time, and for now that thing is Iraq.” [WP, LAT]
Rep. Blunt expected to win race for House majority leader today. [LAT]
Many House Republicans believe their leadership is going too far with proposed reforms for lobbying. [WP, NYT]
Administration is rejecting Senate requests for legal opinions on NSA eavesdropping. [NYT]
“Disorganization of Senate Democrats” created smooth path for Samuel Alito’s confirmation. [WP]
U.S. Capitol Police chief apologizes for hassling Cindy Sheehan. [WP, NYT]
Bush’s rhetorical push for energy independence is greeted with skepticism and “a lack of enthusiasm” on the Hill. [NYT, W$J]

Alito breaks with conservatives in first vote as Supreme Court justice. [USAT]
Bush brings State of the Union themes to Nashville: “Let me put it to you in Texan. If al Qaeda is calling into the United States, we want to know.” [WP, NYT, USAT]
Michael Chertoff is chided by the GAO for incompetent response to Katrina. [NYT, W$J, USAT]
Many Katrina victims disappointed with content of the State of the Union. [USAT]
White House defends Texas redistricting. [WP]
Special lobbying exemption for tribes has not been addressed. [WP]