Daily Briefing: Lemons Into Lemonade

• Real estate profits made by Speaker Dennis Hastert and other legislators raise new concerns about earmarks. [WP]
• Bush and EU leaders warn Iran and North Korea against developing nuclear and other weapons technologies. [WP]
• With midterm elections approaching, Republicans attempt to turn the Iraq War into a political asset rather than a liability. The Senate debate over Iraq hints at 2008 presidential race themes. [NYT; WP]
• Vote to renew the Voting Rights Act canceled after objections from GOP lawmakers. [WP; NYT; LAT]
• Eight troops have been charged with murder and kidnapping in connection with the death of an Iraqi civilian in April. [WP]
• The Department of Veterans Affairs will offer a year of free credit monitoring to veterans and military personnel whose personal data was stolen last month. [WP; NYT]

READ MORE: 2006, Corruption, campaigns, capitol hill, daily briefing, dennis hastert, earmarks, george w. bush, iran, iraq, north korea, nuclear threats, veterans, voting, voting rights act, war on terror

Daily Briefing: Old and New Battles

• Former federal procurement officer David Safavian convicted on four of five counts of lying and obstruction related to his dealings with Jack Abramoff. [WSJ; AP]
• The Senate will debate its own Iraq war resolution today, in the wake of of last week’s partisan debate in the House. [NYT; LAT]
• Bush issues stern warning to Iran on its nuclear program. [NYT]
• Closely divided Supreme Court issues Clean Water Act ruling that is “likely to lead to new regulatory battles, increased litigation by property owners and a push for new legislation.” [NYT; LAT]
• Bush raises $27 million for Republican congressional campaign committees. [WP]
• Two U.S. soldiers missing since last week have been found dead south of Baghdad. [WP; NYT]

READ MORE: 2006, SCOTUS, campaigns, daily briefing, david safavian, environmental regulations, george w. bush, iran, iraq, jack abramoff, nuclear threats, senate, supreme court, war on terror

Gossip Roundup: ‘Too Much Transparency’

• Reliable Source: Wives advise Bush to get diamonds for Laura to celebrate their upcoming anniversary. He replies, “Never mind! Sorry I asked!”… Nicole Kidman’s character is told to use a Farecard when riding the Metro… NPR’s Libby Lewis is assigned to cover Lewis Libby. [WP]
• Inside the Beltway: U.S. “nuclear SWAT team” is on call 24/7/365 to find and disarm any device… Cheney in Colorado: “They asked me today if I come here to fish, and I explained no, the fishing is better in Wyoming, which is noted by the presence of so many ‘greenies’ in Wyoming taking our fish.” [WT]
• Cindy Adams: Schwarzenegger is so furious at Bush that he is toying with switching parties… Judith Miller will not be returning to the Times. [NYP]
• Lloyd Grove’s Lowdown: Lou Dobbs: “I’m wondering whether there’s such a thing as too much transparency.” [NYDN]

READ MORE: Personalities, arnold schwarzenegger, colorado, dick cheney, george w. bush, judith miller, laura bush, lewis libby, libby lewis, lou dobbs, metro, nicole kidman, npr, nuclear threats, wyoming