Daily Briefing: You’re Pre-Approved

• Frist takes on Bush by endorsing bill to expand stem-cell research; his support is crucial but Bush has promised to veto such legislation. Frist: “I believe the president’s policy should be modified.” [NYT]
• Bush likely to sign energy bill today. [WP, WSJ, LAT, USAT]
• Democrats issue request for specific files related to Roberts. [NYT, LAT]
• Attorney-client privilege may not protect Roberts. [LAT]
• Electronic error means the House approved of Cafta by only one vote, lawmaker insists. [NYT, LAT, WSJ]
• Pool reporter on the scene of Bush’s finger incident: “I think the video is inconclusive but leaning toward thumb. It’s just hard to imagine.” [WP]

• Bolton did not come clean to senators during confirmation hearing. [NYT]
• Negroponte’s deputy says intel community has learned from mistakes about Iraq. [NYT, USAT]
• July turned out “pretty good” for Bush. [NYT]
• Approval of two major bills gives lawmakers a sense of accomplishment. [NYT]
• Republicans cautious about troop withdrawal, though many privately welcome the news. [WSJ]
• Liberals worried about Roberts’ conservative past. [WP]
• Legislation that protects gunmakers from civil suits is likely to pass. [WP, WSJ]
• Bush’s nominee for deputy attorney general has links to Abramoff. [LAT]
• Hastert wants ethics panel to pre-approve lawmakers’ privately funded trips. [LAT]
• Federalist Society has “become a source of legal talent for Republican administrations” and is “credited with popularizing methods of legal analysis now widely advocated by many conservatives.” [WP]
• McCain reestablishes his PAC. [WP]

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