Daily Briefing: 'Karl is His Right Arm'

• McClellanbacksRove: "Any individual who works here at the White House has the president's confidence."Mehlman, meanwhile, saysRove"did not leak classified information." [ WP , LAT ]

• BushdiscussesO'Connor's successor withFrist, Reid, Specter, Leahy;Laura"would really like" him to nominate a woman. [ WP , NYT , WP , WSJ , LAT , USAT ]

•Loyalty is tested as scandal engulfsRove;Bushremains supportive.David Gergen: "Karlis his right arm." [ NYT ]

• Chertoffto unveil his proposal to overhaul Homeland Security today; plan is "broad restructuring" to streamline communication to agencies. [ LAT , WSJ , USAT ]

• Boltonmay settle for recess appointment. [ WP ]

•Lawmakers complain about inadequate funding of transportation security. [ NYT ]

• Fristproduces alternative stem-cell research plan based on "new, unproven methods." [ NYT , WP ]

•Republican senators wrangling with budgetary constraints. [ WSJ ]

•Time magazine editors hold "listening tour" of staffers' reactions toCooper, Miller. [ NYT ]

• Hillaryhas spent her time in office carving out the political center. [ NYT ]