Daily Briefing: Tough Enough

• White House will not release documents that warned about Katrina and officials will not be provided for sworn congressional testimony. Sen. Joe Lieberman (D-Conn.): “There has been a near total lack of cooperation that has made it impossible, in my opinion, for us to do the thorough investigation that we have a responsibility to do.” [NYT]
• Some Democratic strategists are concerned that criticisms of NSA eavesdropping will backfire in the midterm elections. Said one, “If Democrats want to be the party of people who think [the government] is too tough and the Republicans are the party of people who are tough, I don’t see how that helps us.” [LAT]
• Confirmation of Samuel Alito is seen as inevitable after Judiciary Committee votes along party lines; Democrats will use floor debate time to discuss domestic spying. [WP, NYT, USAT, LAT]
• Bush will propose making certain out-of pocket medical costs tax deductible. [WP, USAT]
• White House rejects plan to buy homes in Louisiana. [USAT]
• House and Senate negotiations over the Patriot Act are stalled over privacy concerns. [WP]
• Gonzales joins administration chorus in defending eavesdropping. [WP, NYT]
• Rep. John Shadegg (R-Ariz.) wins support of Reps. Charles Bass and Jeff Flake in race for majority leader. [NYT]
• Bush will visit India and Pakistan in March. [WP]