Daily Briefing: A Transparent Relationship
* NSA obtained cooperation of top telecoms for warrentless eavesdropping. [ USAT ]
* Democrats appear "poised to gain seats" in November -- the fight is over how many; new machine ballots may create havoc on election day. [ WP , USAT ]
* House Majority LeaderJohn Boehner(R-Ohio) opposes "far-reaching" restrictions on lobbying.Boehner: "Bringing more transparency to this relationship, I think, is the best way to control it. But taking actions to ban this and ban that, when there's no appearance of a problem, there's no foundation of a problem, I think, in fact, does not serve the institution well." [ WP , LAT ]
* Director of the ATF blamed for spending funds on unnecessary upgrades as basic needs are unmet; $65,000 conference table raises eyebrows. [ WP ]
* Senior official on the inevitability of Iran's nuclear capacities: "Sooner or later, it's going to happen. Our job is to make sure it's later." [ NYT ]
*Bushwill unveil $2.7t budget today. [ USAT , USAT ]
*Bushwants to expand Health Savings Accounts. [ WP ]
* Legislation on lobbying will mirror progress ofJack Abramoff's drama. [ WP ]
*Bush, said to be in a "positive mood," publicly contemplates joining the ex-presidents club. [ NYT ]
* Some experts say Medicare overhaul was doomed by partisanship. [ NYT ]
*Mehlmansays Sen.Clintonhas "a lot of anger" and describes her record as "very left-wing." [ NYT ]