Daily Briefing: Get a Grip

* Disapproval ofBushcould drive a rejection of Republican candidates in November. GOP pollster: "Democrats will have an easier time of getting out their vote because of their intense disapproval of the president. That means we Republicans are going to have to bring our 'A' turnout game in November." [ WP ]

*Rumsfeld's "grip on the Defense Department is slipping as some uniformed officers increasingly chart their own course." [ W$J ]

* Republicans backRumsfeldon Sunday talk shows. [ NYT , USAT ]

* 48 American troops have died in Iraq so far this month. [ USAT ]

* If Roe were overturned, 22 states are likely to "impose significant new restrictions on abortion." [ USAT ]

*Josh Boltenofficially takes office today; he gaveAndy Cardan Egg McMuffin on his way out. [ USAT ]

* Time magazine names Sens.Thad Cochran, Kent Conrad, Dick Durbin, Ted Kennedy, Jon Kyl, Carl Levin, Richard Lugar, John McCain, Olympia Snowe, andArlen Specteras the nation's best; Sens.Daniel Akaka, Wayne Allard, Jim Bunning, Conrad Burns, andMark Daytonconsidered the worst. [ Time ]

* Immigration rallies "have also energized those who support a crackdown on illegal immigration." [ NYT ]

* Can Rep.Tom DeLaybe a lobbyist next? [ WP ]

* Sen.Ted Stevens(R-Alaska) brings sadness to Washington state in an effort to take down Sen.Maria Cantwell(D-Wash.). [ WP ]

* Supreme Court justices spark laughter just from speaking funny. [ USAT ]