Daily Briefing: Bear Patrol
Israeli officials said the current Lebanon offensive will last for weeks, and ground forces have not been ruled out. The Israeli death toll is 24, the Lebanese is at 200+. US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will travel to the Middle East "to try to resolve the crisis," according to administration officials, but there's no word as to when. [ WP , NYT ]
The key to escalating or defusing the conflict may rest with Syrian President Bashar Assad -- a "diplomatic neophyte," and the subject of President Bush's on-mic strategizing at the G8 summit. [ W$J ]
President Bush says he will use his very first veto on any bill providing federal funding for stem cell research. [ WP , Roll Call ]
A live microphone at a dinner at the G8 summit picked up and broadcast President Bush discussing policy, swearing, and interacting with other world leaders. [ WP , NYT ]
Senator Lindsay Graham, a former military lawyer, is fighting the Bush administration on detainee rights and court-martials. [ NYT ]
Rep. Cynthia McKinney (D-GA) faces a three-way Democratic primary. McKinney, who hit a Capitol Police officer with a cell phone four months ago, is expected to win handily. [ The Hill ]
The House of Representatives approved a treaty to protect polar bears. [ AP ]