Daily Briefing: The Anal-Retentive Administration
•Selection of new pope could be "nearly as important for American political life as for the Vatican itself, as Democrats and Republicans here face increasingly pitched battles over judicial nominations, abortion, gay rights and euthanasia." [ NYT ]
• Bushwill attendPope's funeral. [ WT ]
•Senate could go "nuclear" on the filibuster by end of April. [ LAT ]
•In every major debate, Republicans play offensive and Democrats play defense, writesBrownstein. [ LAT ]
•Mice spotted in White House press area. President of Correspondents' Association on remodeling: "I think it's part of theBushadministration's anal-retentiveness. They like everything neat and tidy." [ NYT ]
• Cheneydisagrees withDeLayon retribution against judges. [ WP ]
•65 former diplomats and intel officials voice support forBolton. [ NYT ]
•More than 100Bush-CheneySocial Security events down. [ WP ]
•DLCersAl FromandBruce Reed: "We must finally reject the false choice between exciting our base and expanding our appeal, because unless we both motivate and persuade, we'll lose every time." [ WT ]
•Doctors decry Medicare cuts; lobbying effort begins. [ NYT ]