Daily Briefing: 'A Team Effort'
• Bushwill turn over $6,000 he received throughJack Abramoffto the American Heart Association; other lawmakers are also donating or returning related funds. [ WP , NYT , LAT ]
•NSA whistle-blower: "I intend to report to Congress probable unlawful and unconstitutional acts conducted while I was an intelligence officer with the National Security Agency and with the Defense Intelligence Agency." [ WT ]
•Liberal advocacy groups attackSamuel Alito's character and credibility in new ad campaign; White House flack belittles move as "a desperation tactic." The American Bar Association praisesAlitowith its highest rating. [ NYT , LAT ]
• Cheneysuggests that secret eavesdropping could have prevented 9/11: "We didn't know they were here plotting until it was too late." [ WP ]
• Jack Abramoffpleads guilty in Florida, setting the stage to be a key government witness. [ WP , USAT ]
• Abramoffscandal may only change the dynamics of '06 if Democrats can successfully argue that Republicans espouse a "culture of corruption." [ LAT ]
• Alitobelieves the executive branch has expansive powers. [ WSJ ]
•FISA judges, left out of the loop when secret eavesdropping was authorized, demand answers from administration officials. [ WP ]
•With conservative record and eavesdropping controversy,Samuel Alitowill face tough questions during his confirmation hearings. [ WP ]
•Odds are slim that Rep.Tom DeLay(R-Taxes) will regain his leadership position. [ NYT ]
• Bushis optimistic that Iraq will show progress in '06. [ NYT , USAT ]
•Rep.Jane Harman(D-Calif.) says the administration broke the law with secret eavesdropping. [ NYT ]
• Alitohired clerks with diverse political views. [ WT ]
• Bushappoints the deputy secretary of Defense while the Senate is in recess. [ LAT ]
• Newt Gingrichassails lawmakers who misbehaved: "It's very important to understand this is not one person doing one bad thing. You can't have a corrupt lobbyist unless you have a corrupt member or a corrupt staff. . . This was a team effort." [ WP ]
•"Maverick black minister" who endorsedBushat the Republican convention in 2000, will hold political rally forSamuel Alitoin his church this Sunday. [ NYT ]
•Federal spending increased 5% in 2004. [ WP ]