Daily Briefing: Knocking Rove Off The Front Page
•Bush shifts rhetoric on leak case: "If someone committed a crime, they will no longer work in my administration." McClellan: "I think that you should not read anything into it more than what the president said at this point." [WP, NYT, WT]
•Bush hints O'Connor may be succeeded by a woman. Republican counsel: "The Rove situation has accelerated [the announcement]. They would like to get something that will knock it off the front page." [WP, WSJ, NYT]
• Speculation swirls around five conservative judges from the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals: Priscilla Owen, Edith Brown Clement, Emilio Garza, Edith Hollan Jones, and Edward Prado. [WP]
•Bush begins interviewing finalists for Supreme Court. [WP, WT]
•Bush supports expansion of India's nuclear powers: "What this agreement says is that we are willing to assume the same responsibilities and practices - no more and no less - as other nuclear states." [WP, NYT]
•Bush "will insist on maintaining the long-term solvency of the Social Security system," according to economic advisor. [WP]
•Hillary buffs up her positions on security and the military in effort to prove herself. [USAT]
• White House hosts Prime Minister of India for first formal dinner in two years; entertainment portion was closed to the media. [WP]
• Senate confirms Dr. Lester M. Crawford to head FDA by vote of 78 to 16. [NYT]
• Eminent domain issue rallies the right. [WT]
•Hillary courts Hispanics at National Council of La Raza convention. [WP]