Daily Briefing: Elephant at the Table
• Bush's approval rating slips to 45%, the lowest yet in USAT/CNN/Gallup poll; 59% see economy "getting worse."Charlie Cookwonders about backlash to congressional attention onSchiavo. [ USAT ]
•Stem cell issue returns as House leaders agree to vote on easing restrictions on research; scholar predicts passage butBushsupporters seek defeat. [ WP ]
•Native Americans offended byBush's lack of response to school shooting: "The fact thatBushpreempted his vacation to say something aboutMs. Schiavoand here you have 10 native people gunned down and he can't take time to speak is very telling."McClellan: "Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who were killed." [ WP ]
•Republicans consider "progressive indexation" for Social Security.Hubbard: "The president likes it, because it is more favorable to lower-income people than to higher-income people." [ NYT ]
•Lawmakers, noting polls, have "low-key" response to Supreme Court's disinterest inSchiavo. [ LAT ]
•Republican rift visible behind new immigration legislation.Card: "This elephant is sitting at the table right in front of us." [ WP ]
• Jeb Bushincreases profile among religious and social conservatives withSchiavodecisions. Professor: "If the Republican Party is looking for someone with good ties with the Christian conservative movement, he is the one who is going to have them." [ NYT ]
•Auditors open investigation into columnistMaggie Gallagher's government contract. [ WP ]
•FEC asks public for recommendations about regulation online campaigning. [ NYT ]
• Putinmay be annoyed byBush's upcoming visits to two former Soviet republics. [ WP ]
•Stray answer in Q&A on Social Security Administration's website waffles on private accounts. [ NYT ]
• Bushretools administration for second term. [ USAT ]
•Amtrak's board not pleased withBush's plan for the railroad. [ NYT ]
•African-American Democrats experiencing "resurgence of a values movement," saysSharpton. [ WT ]
• Carterwill head panel on election reform. [ WP ]
• Barnes, Kudlowpropose aCheneypresidential campaign. [ WT ]
• Edwardsmakes podcasting debut; now he has something to listen to while jogging. [ WP ]