Daily Briefing: Disappointed in Crawford
•Files showRobertstried to "shield"President Reaganand his administration from legal troubles, "political blunders and public relations missteps." In 1985,Robertsadvised on AIDS: "I do not think we should have the president taking a position on a disputed scientific issue of this sort." [ NYT , LAT ]
• Robertsdisapproved expansion of women's rights by theReaganadministration and questioned legal challenges to the "purported gender gap." [ WP , LAT ]
• Shaffersays claims about Able Danger are from two associates, not his own memory. [ WP ]
•"The Democrats aren't scoring points in terms of landing any significant punches onBushor in terms of saying anything meaningful to the American people," saysZogby. [ WT ]
• Sheehanleaves Crawford to visit her hospitalized mother; expects to return to ranch soon. [ NYT ]
• Robertssupported national identification cards in 1983; argued cards would "not suddenly mean constitutional protections would evaporate." [ WSJ , USAT ]
•Defense Department officials express concern aboutChavezandCastroin echo of cold war rhetoric. [ NYT ]
•White House defends drug policies, specifically regarding meth. [ NYT ]
• Bushhas no quick fix for rising gas prices. [ WP ]
• Cheneymaintains U.S. "will not relent" in Iraq. [ WP ]
• Ricecalls for China to change its economic policies. [ NYT ]
• Feingoldcalls for full withdrawal from Iraq by '06. [ WP ]
•With over 1,000 days until the '08 election, prospective candidates begin uphill battle;Bayhheads straight for Iowa. [ LAT ]
•Tourists look forBushin Crawford. Said one, "I was disappointed." [ USAT ]
•Site toutingChristopher Walkenfor president is --surprise-- a joke. [ LAT ]