Daily Briefing: ‘Outlandish and Inconceivable’

• Pentagon has a tentative plan to withdraw about 50,000 troops from Iraq over the next year. [WP]
• For oil executives who were involved in the energy task force, the truth depends on what the meaning of “participation” is. Sen. Frank Lautenberg’s (D-N.J.) definition: “If you’re doing anything more than breathing in the room when you’re there. Even if you’re a silent observer.” [WP]
• Bush allegedly talked to Tony Blair about bombing Al-Jazeera. Scott McClellan: “We are not interested in dignifying something so outlandish and inconceivable with a response.” [WP]
• FEMA will extend housing subsidies for Gulf Coast evacuees. [WP, NYT]
• Administration formally charges Jose Padilla ahead of Monday deadline; “the government has yet to settle on a consistent strategy for holding and punishing people it says are terrorists.” [NYT, NYT, WT, USAT, USAT]
• Judge delays decision on throwing out charges against Rep. Tom DeLay (R-Texas). [WP, LAT, NYT]

• Rep. Jean Schmidt (R-Ohio) doesn’t know what all the fuss is about: “I am amazed at what a national story this has become.” [WP]
• Bush pardons two turkeys and sends them to Disneyland. PETA flack: “It’s hard to argue with Disneyland.” [NYT]
• White House defends Samuel Alito on districting issue, saying he “has told senators that he believes ‘one man one vote’ is bedrock principle.” [NYT]
• Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) calls for a “limited drawdown” from Iraq: “Those of us in Washington have fallen behind the debate that is taking place across America on Iraq. We are failing to provide leadership on this issue.” [WP]

READ MORE: Barack Obama, Pentagon, White House, al jazeera, disneyland, fema, frank lautenberg, george w. bush, gulf coast, iraq, jean schmidt, jose padilla, oil, peta, samuel alito, scott mcclellan, thanksgiving, tom delay, tony blair