Daily Briefing: The 'Two-Edged Sword'
Congressional Republicans propose five-year, $70B tax bill; the main component is the extension of tax rates on capital gains and dividends. [ WP , WSJ , NYT ]
Bush's "political strength continues to dissipate," according to fresh CBS/NYT poll; his "overall job approval rating hit another new low, 31 percent, tying the low point of his father in July 1992, four months before the elder Mr.Bushlost his bid for a second term." [ NYT ]
Centrist Democrats say the party "should concentrate on charting alternative policies for fighting terrorism and succeeding in Iraq" instead of launching investigations ofBush's mistakes. [ WP ]
Rumsfeld, backing selection ofHaydento head the CIA, denies a power play is underway; nomination seen as setting "the stage for new wrangling with the Pentagon." [ WP , NYT ]
Bushstands by Monday deadline for Medicare program; plan is "emerging as a surprise plus for Republicans in a rocky election season." [ WP , NYT , USAT ]
GOP's '06 roster features three African-American candidates running for statewide offices.Ken Mehlman: "We've gone from a model of outreach to a model of inclusion. Outreach is a top-down approach. Inclusion says, 'Let's find some really good people and encourage them to run for office.'" [ WP ]
Ethics issue is "two-edged sword" for Democrats. [ USAT ]
House Republicans are still struggling to agree on '07 budget. [ WSJ ]
Pro-immigration groups aim to register 1M new voters by November. [ WP ]