Daily Briefing: Will the Real Bill Frist Please Stand Up?

• Federal spending has grown faster under Bush than any president since Franklin Roosevelt. John Kasich: “Republicans have gotten the sense that they’re going to get elected by passing out money to people.” [USAT, USAT]
• Republican divisions over the budget and immigration reduce chances of passing legislation this week. Sen. Richard Durbin (D-Ill.): “There’s a chasm between the House and Senate.” [NYT, LAT, USAT]
• GOP strategists see the strong economy as a ticket to victory in November elections. [WT]
• Josh Bolten will have to “reunify Republicans behind the administration and keep Mr. Bush’s presidency from sinking into lame-duck status.” [NYT]
• Gen. Anthony Zinni calls for Rumsfeld to resign: “Integrity and getting on with the mission and doing it right are more important than loyalty.” [NYT]
• Sen. Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) treads carefully in the Senate with his sights set on the White House: “The real Bill Frist, [voters] don’t really see.” Strategist Scott Reed on his immigration bill: “He really needs to deliver if he’s going to look at exploring a presidential race.” [NYT]

• 26 Hispanic lawmakers represent diversity of opinion on immigration reform. [USAT]
• Campaigns are increasing their use of online video to provoke emotional responses. Ad guru: “If you’re running a congressional race and [the candidate has] 300,000 voters in his district and he’s got to spend money on television that reaches outside the boundaries of his district, he’s really wasting money.” [WP]
• Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) criticizes the administration’s energy policy: “Saying that America is addicted to oil without following a real plan for energy independence is like admitting alcoholism and then skipping out on the 12-step program.” [AP]
• Pro-choice groups are invoking God like their pro-life counterparts. [NYT]

READ MORE: 2006, 2008, Campaigning, Democrats, Republicans, abortion, anthony zinni, bill frist, donald rumsfeld, economy, franklin roosevelt, george w. bush, iraq, john kasich, josh bolten, richard durbin, scott reed