Daily Briefing: A Gradual But Decisive Shift
•House approves intelligence reform by vote of 336 to 75; Senate to pass before adjourning. Implications of reform arguable. [ WP , WP , NYT , NYT , NYT , WSJ , LAT , WT , USAT , USAT , USAT , BG ]
• Bushaffirms resolve to defeat insurgents and stage election as scheduled: "The enemies of freedom in Iraq have been wounded, but they're not defeated. . . Today's war on terror will not end with a ceremony. . . but it will end with victory." [ WP , NYT , WT ]
•Circumstances ofKerik's job in Saudi Arabia disputed by nine individuals who claim he worked to curtail their private affairs on behalf of his boss: "Kerikwas a goon. They were Gestapo. . . . They made my life so miserable." [ WP ]
•Defense officials who reported mistreatment of Iraqi insurgents after Abu Ghraib scandal were told to keep quiet. [ NYT ]
• Bushto sign $388b spending bill before temporary measure expires tonight. [ USAT ]
•Private bipartisan panel on global warming recommends "gradual but decisive shift in the nation's energy policy, toward one that directly addresses our long-term oil, climate, electricity supply and technological challenges." [ WP , NYT ]
• Powellstrongly rejects suggestions the West is subverting democracy in Ukraine. [ NYT ]
•Selective Service inquiry raises concern at American Medical Association; little-known plan allows draft of health professionals: "People are concerned that it might be a doctors' draft." [ WSJ ]
• Bushtells House Republicans he supports increased border security measures. [ WT ]
• Spitzerformally enters race for governor of New York: "We have a [state] government that is unaccountable and dysfunctional."Patakihasn't announced run for fourth term. [ WP , NYT , USAT ]
•Under White House pressure, top two members of civil rights panel resign. [ WP , NYT ]
•Deputy Secretary of the Interior Department quits. [ WP , NYT ]
•Watchdogs reveal 414,000 election day complaints nationwide as Ohio certifies count. [ LAT ]
• Leahyhas questions forGonzalesabout policies for detainee treatment. [ WT ]
•Washington operatives prep for Supreme Court resignation: "This will be a repeat, and all the organizations that were engaged in work around the election, from big groups to small groups, will feel that this is their own personal fight." [ NYT ]
•Some pro-lifers disappointed withRice, Gonzales, Specter. [ WT ]