Daily Briefing: ‘Profound Sense of Discontent’

• Conservatives “fear that the president may have jeopardized their dream of fundamentally shifting” the Supreme Court, writes Dan Balz. Newt Gingrich: “[Does the White House] understand that beyond getting past the unhappiness with this choice, there is a profound sense of discontent within the conservative movement?” [WP]
• Conservative senators unconvinced, even after private meetings with Miers. Ken Mehlman: “It’s hard to imagine a president having a better knowledge of a nominee than President Bush has of Harriet Miers.” [WP, NYT, LAT, USAT, WSJ]
• Bush reveals that 10 terrorist attacks have been thwarted since 9/11; says Syria and Iran are “allies of convenience” for Islamic terrorists. [NYT, WT]
• Karl Rove will testify for fourth time in Valerie Plame leak investigation. McClellan: “As part of cooperating fully, that means not commenting on it from here.” [WP, NYT, WSJ, USAT]
• Health officials from 80 countries are meeting today in Washington to prepare for possible avian flu pandemic; Congress ready to commit billions to buy influenza drug. [WP, NYT]

• DeLay met with his chief fundraiser the same day the RNC distributed funds to GOP legislative candidates in Texas. [WP]
• Democrats are sitting back while Republicans criticize Miers. [WT]
• Former Philippine president remembers White House security official sharing classified document on at least one occasion. [WP]
• FEMA will seek new bids on no-bid contracts related to hurricane recovery. [NYT, USAT, WSJ]
• Questions remain about Miers‘ decisions on the Texas Lottery Committee. [NYT]
• Study by William Galston and Elaine Kamarck recommends that Democrats move to the center. [WP, NYT]
• Democratic Representatives Conyers and Miller call for special independent counsel investigation of Jack Abramoff. [LAT]
• Dan Coats designated to advise Miers through confirmation process. [USAT]