Daily Briefing: There Will Be Violence Edition
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•To sell Social Security plan, administration will "useBush's campaign-honed techniques of mass repetition, never deviating from the script and using the politics of fear to build support." Market researchers, strategists, and supporters are on the case; campaign is led byRove, Mehlman. [ WP , NYT ]
•Justice Department opens investigation of detainee abuse. [ NYT ]
• Bushinterview: "There will be violence after the [Iraqi] elections. It's very important for us to show progress toward our goals, but there'll be violence." [ USAT , USAT , USAT ]
•Administration plans to slash HUD's community grant program by billions and reorganize community efforts. Employee: "It's a body blow." [ WP ]
• PaigedefendsArmstrong Williams' contract, opens internal investigation to set record straight;Specter, Harkinwant documents turned over for review.Bush: "There needs to be a clear distinction between journalism and advocacy." [ WP , WT , NYT , USAT ]
•National Academy of Sciences reports the "Clear Skies" bill would increase pollution. [ WP ]
•Moderate Republican who supports abortion rights nominated byMehlmanto be RNC co-chairman. [ NYT ]
• Bushpromises tsunami warning system for Atlantic. [ NYT ]
• Bushdoesn't thinkJebwill seek presidency. [ NYT ]
• Laurawants to help troubled boys: "I think we still have this stereotype that boys can take care of themselves and that boys don't cry and that boys don't need special nurturing." [ USAT , USAT ]
• Bush's best friend and closest outsider advisor,Roland Betts, a New York democrat, describes relationship: "He asks me a lot of questions. As we're going for walks, he wants to know, 'Well, who do you think would be good here, and what should I do here?'" [ NYT ]
• Deanstrategist admits payments to two bloggers were meant to foster favorable commentary about the campaign. [ WSJ ]
[ AFP/Mike Theiler ]