Daily Briefing: Occasionally Sarcastic and Cocksure

• RoveandLibbywere "working closely together" in July 2003 on "the administration's primary response to criticism that a flawed phrase about the nuclear materials in Africa" was inBush's State of the Union address; both contend they were "not involved an orchestrated scheme to discreditWilson." [ NYT ]

• Robertsremains vague when questioned by senators; Democrats question him on interstate commerce.Schumer: "I went over some of the things that he didn't answer at the Court of Appeals hearing, and he said he wanted to think about it and get back to me." [ WP , WP , NYT , LAT , USAT , WSJ ]

•Democrats plan to "letRobertsgo... then get back onRove, Social Security and the Iraq war," according to aide;Hughes' confirmation hearing will provide opening. [ WSJ ]

• Roberts' published opinions support "a strong executive, a cautious and self-effacing judiciary, limited federal power, and individual responsibility." [ NYT ]

• Roberts' "Reagan-era memos portray a cocksure young lawyer whose writing was clear, highly attuned to political realities and occasionally sarcastic." [ WP ]

•House Republicans push through passage of Patriot Act renewal. [ WP , NYT , WSJ , LAT ]

•Liberal groups prepare for battle overRobertsas Democrats seem set to confirm him. [ LAT , WT ]

• O'Connor: "In all of the years of my life, I don't think I have ever seen relations as strained as they are now between the judiciary and some members of Congress. It makes me very sad to see it." [ WP , NYT ]

• Specterconsiders amendment on HHS appropriations bill to expand stem cell research. [ WP ]

• Rice, meeting rape victims in Sudan, speaks out on women's rights. [ WP ]

•Republicans will schedule vote on the elimination of the estate tax in hopes of forcing Democrats to compromise. [ WSJ ]

•House set to endorseBush's plan for Mars exploration. [ WP ]

•Senators stalled on response to global warming. [ WP ]

• Robertshas long been pro-business. [ LAT ]

•Pentagon may raise age limit for new recruits from 39 to 42 in effort to reverse negative trend. [ NYT ]

•This fall, Supreme Court will take on abortion, assisted suicide, the death penalty and the war on terrorism. [ LAT ]