Daily Briefing: 'Leapt into an Abyss'
•House Republicans are debating whether to permanently replace Rep.Tom DeLayas majority leader; the next congressional leadership is unclear. [ WP , WT , LAT ]
•Prosecutor expands investigation ofDeLayto include election expenditures. [ WP ]
•Senate Democrats tellSamuel Alitoto anticipate tough questions at his confirmation hearings; lawmakers "competing madly to prejudge the judge," saysDana Milbank. Sen.Charles Schumer(D-N.Y.): "Judge Alito has more to answer for than any other Supreme Court nominee in memory." [ WP , NYT , WP , WT ]
•Few heated comments were exchanged whenBushmet with 13 former secretaries of state and defense;Colin Powellremained silent.Ari Fleischer: "I think [Bush is] now testing whether enough time and bitterness have passed since the parties, and the country, were so deeply split during the 2004 campaign." [ WP , NYT , USAT ]
• Jack Abramoffaffair raises the prospect for increased restrictions on lobbying. [ NYT , LAT ]
•Sen.Specter(R-Penn.) to tackle complexities of presidential powers during wartime in upcoming hearings on NSA eavesdropping. [ WSJ ]
•Rep.Peter Hoekstra(R-Mich.), chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, defends NSA eavesdropping program. [ NYT ]
• Robin GivhanonJack Abramoff: "He has leapt into an abyss of ill-fitting coats, mobster flourishes and Peter Pan headgear. The once high-flying dealmaker is going down, and there is nothing dignified about the descent." [ WP ]
•Charities bask in the flow ofAbramoff-tainted funds. [ NYT ]
• Bushplans to increase foreign-language studies. [ WP , NYT ]