Daily Briefing: Dumbfounded by Response
• Kerikpicked to replaceRidge; advisor says he "brings 9/11 symbolism into the Cabinet." Nebraska GovernorJohannsnominated for Agriculture Secretary.Mark McClellanlikely to replaceThompson. [ WP , NYT , WSJ , LAT , LAT , LAT , WT , USAT , USAT ]
• Bushdeclares support of January elections in Iraq: "It's time for the Iraqi citizens to go to the polls. And that's why we are very firm on the January 30th date." [ WP , NYT ]
• Danforth, ambassador to UN, surprises colleagues with resignation. [ WP , NYT , USAT ]
• Bushdrafts letter to lawmakers urging speedy passage of intelligence reform. [ WP , WSJ
• Mankiwforesees significant cuts in Social Security coverage for future retirees: "Unless a listener is discerning, empty promises will always have a superficial appeal." [ NYT ]
• Bush: "It's important for the integrity of the [United Nations] to have a full and open disclosure of all that took place with the oil-for-food program." [ WT ]
• Corzineenters race for New Jersey governor. [ NYT ]
•Parties raked in record amounts for presidential campaigns, with DNC outpacing RNC for first time in decades; grand total spent was $1.7b, up from $1b in 2000. [ WP , NYT ]
• Kerrycamp files suit withCobb, Badnarikfor state-wide recount in Ohio. [ NYT ]
• Bush's tax reform follows basic tenets of economic theory. [ WP ]
•Cost of new Medicare benefits will outweigh national debt. [ USAT ]
•Governors plan to rebuild Democratic Party from state level.Richardson: "We want to become the center of gravity in our party." [ WT ]
•Republicans worried about divide over immigration policy.Rep. Tancredo(R-Colo.): "We were all willing to shut up during the campaign. We were not going to attack the president. But the campaign is over with and the gloves are off on this issue." [ WT ]
•House aide accepts heat for tax snooping provision; "dumbfounded" by the response. [ WP ]
•Funds lacking for new technologies for health care. [ NYT ]
•Provision in spending bill gives federal regulators authority on where natural gas terminals are built, to the chagrin of states. [ LAT ]
•MoveOn to outline fresh agenda in next few weeks. [ WT ]
• Tenet, Franks, Bremerto receive Medal of Freedom fromBush. [ WP ]
•New lawmakers advised to proceed with caution. [ WP ]
•High demand for inaugural tickets. [ WT ]
•Amendment to permit a foreign-born president tests will ofSchwarzenegger's support and views of immigration. [ USAT ]