Daily Briefing: I'm Unaware of the Case
• Bushholds press conference to sharpen inaugural message: "[I]t sets a bold new goal for the future. And I believe this country is best when it heads toward an ideal world."Bushalso promotes voting in interview with Arab TV outlet. [ WP , NYT , WSJ , NYT , USAT , WT ]
• Riceconfirmed, 85-13;Gonzalessent to vote after all 8 Democrats on the Judiciary Committee vote against him. Secretaries of Veteran's Affairs and HHS also approved. [ WP , NYT , NYT , WSJ , LAT , LAT ]
•Copter crash in Iraq marks deadliest day for U.S. military; 37 Americans killed; total toll tops 1,400.Bush: "The story today is going to be very discouraging to the American people." [ NYT , USAT ]
• Bushdenounces promotional contracts with political commentators: "Our agenda ought to be able to stand on its own two feet." Administration spent $88m on contracts with p.r. firms in 2004. [ WP , NYT , USAT ]
• Sensenbrenner(R-Wis.) introduces tough legislation to control immigration, a divisive issue for Republicans. [ LAT , NYT , WT ]
• Bushmeets with Congressional Black Caucus. [ NYT , WT ]
• Bushstumped by question about jailed Jordanian: "I'm unaware of the case." [ WP ]
•With Senate rewriting pollution law in spring, U.S. at "pivotal moment" for environmental regulations;Blair, meanwhile, urges action on global warming. [ WP , WP , NYT ]
• Bush's proposals to curb global nuclear proliferation meet resistance; effort now inRice's hands. [ WSJ ]
• Feithquits to spend time with family. [ WP , NYT ]
•Republicans mull reorganizing budget process. [ WSJ ]
•Administration proposes new civil service system at DHS. [ WP ]
• Mehlman, Cahillreunite at Texas A&M discussion. [ NYT ]
•Sales of "The Case for Democracy" byNatan Sharanskyquadruple after praise fromBush. [ WSJ ]