• Reliable Sources:Jack Abramoff is stuck with ill-fitting suits, to this dismay of his tailer. . . Scott McClellan on Texas gubernatorial race: "I consider one candidate mother. [The president] considers both candidates that you're referring to [as] friends.". . . Tom Friedman offends General Motors. [WP]

• Inside the Beltway:Patrick Buchanan wins PETA award for "Strongest Backbone." [WT]

• Rush & Molloy:Gennifer Flowers loses attempt to revive a defamation suit against Sen. Hillary Clinton. . . Sheryl Crow says the Bushes want to control oil-producing countries: "Now, if we pull out [of Iraq] we are going to leave a complete and total mess. We don't even know who we're fighting over there." [NYDN]

• CIndy Adams:Al Gore no longer has a Secret Service escort. [NYP]