Daily Briefing: Got Game at 73
•Court unanimously sides withCheney; details of private meetings about energy policy will stay private. Scholar: "This is a significant win for those who believe the presidency needs more power and has lost power over the past 30 years." [ WP , NYT ]
•Leadership stoked for showdown over nominees; compromise unlikely as vote on "nuclear option" may come as early as Friday. [ WP , NYT , LAT ]
•In Georgia, unexploded hand grenade found within 100 feet ofBush.Bushon Rose Revolution: "Your courage is inspiring democratic reformers and sending a message that echoes across the world; freedom will be the future of every nation and every people on Earth." [ WP , NYT , USAT , WT ]
• Chafeeis "inclined" to supportBolton, leavingHagel, Murkowski, Voinovichundecided; committee vote set for Thursday. [ NYT , LAT ]
• Ridgeindicates White House liked to put country on orange alert: "More often than not we were the least inclined to raise it." [ USAT ]
• Rumsfeldsays he's in for the long (over)haul at the Pentagon: "I play my game. I play hardball." [ NYT ]
•In $82b bill, Congress restricts "cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment" of detainees; passes unanimously. [ NYT , NYT ]
• Bolton's e-mail trail shows his faults, say opponents; administration's policy toward U.N. still murky. [ WP , USAT ]
•House expected to pass mandatory sentencing guidelines for gang-related crimes. [ NYT ]
•Agriculture Department paid journalist $9,375 for favorable stories. [ USAT ]
•Pew Study questions if Republicans' recent gains will outlastBush: "The landscape coming out of the 2004 election favored Republicans, but there's no guarantee that Republicans have solidified their hold on things." [ LAT ]