Daily Briefing: 'No Mood For A Circus'

•Katrina relief costs estimated between $100b and $200b;Bushcould be forced to trim his economic agenda. [ NYT , WSJ , USAT , USAT ]

• Bushpromises to carefully study "wide open" list of potential justices. Senior administration official: "People are in no mood for a circus. The country is dealing with a terrible tragedy. The American people want a dignified process." [ WP , NYT , LAT ]

•Emotions run asRehnquist's flag-draped coffin lies in Supreme Court building. [ WP , NYT , USAT ]

• Bushwill order internal investigation to "find out what went right and what went wrong" with hurricane planning.Lott: "Nothing will be the same again." [ WP , NYT , WT , USAT ]

•Katrina crisis has increased polarization of the country, unlike period after 9/11. Professor: "Bushis the most partisan president in modern American history. As a result, voters in both parties are focusing on him, rather than on the specifics of the policies." [ WP ]

•The Coast Guard's chief of staff named to oversee Katrina-related operations for FEMA. [ WP , USAT ]

• Specter, after one-on-one withRoberts, says nominee displays confidence and humility. [ WP ]

•California legislature sends gay marriage bill toSchwarzenegger. Gay activist: "This is it. This is the tipping point." [ WP , LAT ]

• Robertsis from aRehnquistmold. [ USAT , USAT ]

•Prosecutors inPlameleak case have a "long shot" loophole to try to convict administration official for leaking. [ WP ]

•Analyst: "Clearly we didn't get a coordinated governmental response in the case of Katrina. The same thing happened in Iraq. The mechanisms to integrate efforts across the government were just lacking.[ WSJ ]

•Pentagon defends response.Myers: "Not only was there no delay, I think we anticipated in most cases --not in all cases, but in most cases-- the support that was required." [ USAT ]

• Bush's trips to Europe have not helped his image there. [ WP ]

•Lawmakers at hearing on gas prices voice frustration over rising prices. [ NYT ]

•Democrats and labor groups in Ohio win drive for ballot initiatives. [ NYT ]

•D.C. loves podcasts. [ LAT ]