Daily Briefing: Nuanced and Unresolved
* Sens.KerryandKennedymay attempt to filibusterAlito; DemsBen Nelson(Neb.),Robert Byrd(W.Va.), andTim Johnson(S.D.) announce support ofAlito's confirmation. [ WP , NYT , LAT ]
*Bushdistances himself fromJack Abramoffduring news conference; offers defense of NSA eavesdropping and stance on Katrina inquiry. [ WP , NYT , LAT , USAT , WT ]
* Admin has used "at least two separate rationales for why they did not ask for statutory authority" for NSA eavesdropping program. [ WP ]
* Public opinion of NSA eavesdropping is "nuanced and remains highly unresolved," according to NYT-CBS poll; disapproval of Congress and the Republican Party are both high. 61% are concerned about losing civil liberties. [ NYT ]
* If tax cuts are allowed to expire in 2010, deficit will turn to surplus in 2012. [ USAT ]
*Lewis Libby's lawyer asksPatrick Fitzgeraldfor documents "related to what journalists knew from any source" aboutValerie Plame. [ WP , NYT ]
* Pork and earmarks increase, as does scrutiny; GOP Sens.McCainandCoburnthreaten to hold vote on each item. [ WP , WP , WT ]
* Chief prosecutor inAbramoffinvestigation resigns to take federal judgeship. [ NYT ]
*Bushdefends his intention to spread democracy. [ NYT ]
*Bush's main point was "I am the state,"Dana Milbankwrites. [ WP ]
* Democrats outline their agenda, "long on vision and short on specifics." [ NYT ]
* Anti-war candidate may test support of Sen.Lieberman(D-Conn.) in a primary. [ LAT ]