Daily Briefing: "I Feel Very Bad"
• Giulianitakes responsibility and apologizes for fall ofKerik: "I feel very bad." Relationship withBushstrained; they dined together last night but president has ongoing uneasiness withGiuliani. [ NYT ]
•Few options may leadLiebermanto replaceRidge; orHutchinson, Hagin, Allbaugh. For HHS,McClellan, Owens, Leavitt, orHuckabee. [ WSJ , USAT ]
•Investigation may be called regarding leak of spy satellite information; administration angry. [ WSJ ]
•Pentagon debating extent of misinformation campaigns; considers official program for disinformation. Flack: "Our job is not perception management but to counter the enemy's perception management." [ NYT ]
•White House stands by vetting process ofKerik; numerous issues and conflicts found. [ NYT , NYT , NYT , USAT , WT ]
• Fristthreatens "nuclear option" to reduce filibusters, a "formula for tyranny by the minority."Reid: "But I will, for lack of a better word, screw things up." [ WP ]
• Bushdeemed fit, blames slight weight gain on donuts. [ USAT ]
•Christian groups push initiatives at local, state levels. Director of such group: "On legislative efforts, they're getting more gutsy, and on certain issues, they may introduce legislation that they normally may not have done." [ NYT ]
•Inaugural address will be dignified balance of political victory and nod to on-going military action. [ WP ]
•Most secure inauguration ever; protesters concerned about their message. [ NYT ]
• Gossoperates on the down-low. [ USAT ]
•Tough hearings expected, especially forRice, Gonzales, Johanns, Nicholson. [ WSJ ]
• Kerryteam asks to inspect 92,000 ballots in Ohio. [ NYT ]
•Professional big thinkerPete Wehner, head of White House Office of Strategery: "[Rove] said my job is to bug him." [ WP ]
• Daschleexits: "There are no regrets. I'm very much at peace with my 26 years and career here." [ USAT , USAT ]
• Deansays DNC must improve organization, clarify message. [ WT ]
• Hillarystakes increasingly vocal, conservative position on immigration. [ WT ]
• Hastertseeks additional funds for highway projects. [ WP ]
•White House promises tax reform panelists will be diverse, open-minded. [ WT ]
• Brownstein: Democrats shouldn't take a page from the '40s. [ LAT ]