Daily Briefing: Reality Bites
*Bushcalls for alternative energy sources and increased spending on science and education; some ideas "were repackaged versions of proposals he has supported for years."Bush: "The only way to protect our people, the only way to secure the peace, the only way to control our destiny is by our leadership, so the United States of America will continue to lead." [ WP , NYT , W$J , WT , USAT ]
* State of the Union was "rooted in some harsh global and political realities," but many ofBush's proposals will not become reality. [ WP , NYT , NYT , USAT ]
*Samuel Alitois sworn in after confirmation vote of 58 to 42; perfectly timed to attend SOTU. [ WP , NYT , NYT , W$J , LAT , USAT , WT ]
*Cindy Sheehanarrested moments beforeBush's speech for being "boisterous" in the House gallery. [ WP ]
* Virginia GovernorTim Kaineoffers Democratic response with the refrain, "Together, America can do better." [ WP , LAT ]
*Bushmade assertions that are not entirely true. [ WP ]
*Bushappeared more "solemn" than "cocksure." [ NYT ]
* Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee collected $10m more than GOP counterpart in 2005. [ WP ]
* Louisiana Department of Transportation official to Senate investigators of Katrina response: "The real truth is Katrina moved faster than we did. All of us on the local, state and the federal levels were overwhelmed, undermined and outmuscled by Mother Nature." [ NYT , USAT ]
* Rep.John Boehner(R-Ohio) criticizes SpeakerHastert's (R-Ill.) proposed ban on privately funded travel as "childish," then backs off. [ LAT ]
* House vote today on budget measure will indicate Rep.Blunt's (R-Mo.) leadership. [ WP ]
* Struggle for energy independence has been lost over many presidencies. [ NYT ]
*Alitomay hold "decisive" vote in key cases. [ NYT ]
*Milbanktries to judgeAlitobased on his applause forBush. [ WP ]
* Sen.Clinton(D-N.Y.) raised $6m in the last quarter of '05. [ NYT ]