• DeLay calls recent revelations "another seedy attempt by the liberal media to embarrass me"; House Republicans buck-up behind him. Blunt: "I think a lot of members think he's taking arrows for all of us." [WP, NYT, WT]

• Republicans on House Appropriations Committee want accounting of Bush's extensive Social Security tour; Waxman asks GAO if administration "has crossed the line from education to propaganda." [WP, NYT]

• Republicans not united behind Bush's agenda, according to new WSJ/NBC poll. [WSJ]

• Author of so-called Republican "talking points" on Schiavo resigns as legal counsel to Martinez. [WP, NYT, WT]

• Republicans undecided on executing "nuclear option"; Democrats see opening to attack "arrogance of power." [WP]

• Republicans drop end-of-life cause after Schiavo's death. [LAT]

• Cheney at correspondents' dinner: "I'm not into funny"; Stephanopoulos sat between Rove and Dean. [WP]

• Democrats threaten to block confirmation of EPA, FDA chiefs over policy disagreements. [LAT, NYT, NYT]

• Bush, Pope shared core beliefs of freedom and life. [WP]

• Deaniacs want party to go left, says new survey. [WP]