Daily Briefing: 'Extreme Political Jeopardy'
• Rovereportedly told investigators thatNovakinformed him ofPlameduring a conversation on July 8, 2003, before the publication of the initial article; revelation adds fuel to fire. [ NYT , WP ]
• Rehnquistdenies his retirement is "imminent." [ WP , NYT , WSJ ]
•"Only extreme political jeopardy" would causeRove's departure because ofBush's dependence on him. GOP pollster: "Most Americans are far more concerned about their summer vacations." [ WSJ ]
• Mehlmanaddresses NAACP asBushspeaks at Indiana Black Expo.Mehlman: "Some Republicans gave up on winning the African-American vote, looking the other way or trying to benefit politically from racial polarization. I am here today as the Republican chairman to tell you we were wrong." [ WP , NYT , LAT , USAT ]
•Senators quarrel over Homeland Security budget before passing $32b plan that allots $50m less for transportation security than the current budget; immigration amendments were a hot topic on the floor, especially among '08 contenders. [ NYT , WSJ , WT ]
•Gang of 14 meet over doughnuts to discuss hypotheticals for Supreme Court nominations. [ NYT ]
•Christian telecast set to blast Supreme Court's "hostility toward religion and Christianity in particular." [ NYT ]
•Partisans argue aboutRove's security clearance. [ WP , WT ]
•Social Security off the table until at least September. [ WP , NYT ]
• Boxer, Obamathreaten to block nominees to the EPA unless agency comes clean. [ LAT ]
• Patakihits Iowa to gauge prospects of a presidential campaign. [ NYT ]
• Rep. Randy Cunningham, eight-term Republican from San Diego area, will not run for re-election due to allegations of improprieties. [ WP , NYT ]