Daily Briefing: Pedal to the Medal Time
•Respondents cautiously optimistic aboutBushin NYT/CBS poll. 51% approval rating is highest since March; majority prefers deficit reduction to tax cuts; 70% concerned about moral standards of pop culture; majorities support legality of abortion, domestic partnerships.Powellhas 87% approval rating in USAT/CNN/Gallup poll. [ NYT , USAT ]
• Bushmakes stopover in Colombia, offers financial support to war on drugs; 15,000 troops on guard.Bush: "I'm proud to be with my friend,President Uribe. El es mi amigo. . . Defeating [traffickers] is vital to the safety of our peoples and to the stability of this hemisphere." [ WP , NYT , USAT ]
•Congressional Republicans wantBushto intervene on deadlocked intelligence bill, bring Pentagon around.McCain: "I don't think I've seen a situation before where you had a majority of votes for a piece of legislation in Congress that was strongly supported by the president of the United States, and it doesn't get voted on." [ NYT , WP ]
•Spending bill stalled by provision enabling snooping of tax returns; Congressman denies knowledge of addition, blames staffer. [ WP , NYT , LAT ]
• Powellfinds support for Palestinian elections in Israel. [ NYT ]
•NASA receives additional funds at expense of IRS, EPA; $1b cut from agriculture initiatives. [ NYT ]
•Opponent of Yucca Mountain plan named to Nuclear Regulatory Commission in deal to speed confirmation ofBush's nominees. [ WP ]
•FollowingBush's lead, Republican Senators see mandate and act with great gusto. Strategist: "There are a lot of people saying, 'This is our moment; this is the time to put the pedal to the metal to get our agenda done. They are also saying, 'Let's make sure we're smart about it.'" [ LAT ]
•Congress drops funding for nuclear weapon research. [ WP ]
•Republicans explore accounting tricks to push charges "off-budget" and out of sight. [ WP ]
• Vilsack, Hermannot interested heading DNC;Dean, Ickesin the running. [ NYT ]
• Bushseeks expansion of covert operations under Defense Department. [ NYT ]
• Bushbonds with far-right member of Israeli cabinet. [ WP ]
•White House still shaken by incident in Chile: "I mean, the guy who was supposed to be guarded had to rescue the guy who was supposed to be guarding him." [ WT ]
•Pro-life groups celebrate legislation allowing hospitals to opt-out of abortion support. [ WT ]
•Study confirms most seniors benefit from new Medicare plans. [ NYT ]
•Upcoming ruling on importation of garments from China a dilemma for the administration. [ WSJ ]