Daily Briefing: Tough Enough
•White House will not release documents that warned about Katrina and officials will not be provided for sworn congressional testimony. Sen.Joe Lieberman(D-Conn.): "There has been a near total lack of cooperation that has made it impossible, in my opinion, for us to do the thorough investigation that we have a responsibility to do." [ NYT ]
•Some Democratic strategists are concerned that criticisms of NSA eavesdropping will backfire in the midterm elections. Said one, "If Democrats want to be the party of people who think [the government] is too tough and the Republicans are the party of people who are tough, I don't see how that helps us." [ LAT ]
•Confirmation ofSamuel Alitois seen as inevitable after Judiciary Committee votes along party lines; Democrats will use floor debate time to discuss domestic spying. [ WP , NYT , USAT , LAT ]
• Bushwill propose making certain out-of pocket medical costs tax deductible. [ WP , USAT ]
•White House rejects plan to buy homes in Louisiana. [ USAT ]
•House and Senate negotiations over the Patriot Act are stalled over privacy concerns. [ WP ]
• Gonzalesjoins administration chorus in defending eavesdropping. [ WP , NYT ]
•Rep.John Shadegg(R-Ariz.) wins support of Reps.Charles BassandJeff Flakein race for majority leader. [ NYT ]
• Bushwill visit India and Pakistan in March. [ WP ]