Daily Briefing: Mysterious Ways
* House Republicans say corruption is a perceived-reality: "We must realize that the Majority we have all worked so hard for is in jeopardy." Leadership race will likely become a "referendum on how seriously the party is taking" the scandal. [ WP , NYT ]
* Republican lawmakers call for White House to disclose records aboutJack Abramoff;Abramoffmet withBushduring at least six "social occasions." Anonymous source: "The White House is making too much of a mystery out of this and needs to release the dates, times, details and photos of the visits. It's not like [Abramoff and Mr. Bush] were plotting to overthrow Iraq." [ LAT , WT ]
*Bushwill use State of the Union to preview midterm campaign themes and paint optimistic portrait; speech avoids "ambitious" proposals. Senior administration official: "America ought to be leading the way, working to shape events. We're always better when we're out there shaping events, rather than being shaped by them." [ LAT , WT ]
* Challenge ofBush's State of the Union falls onWilliam McGurn, the director of White House speechwriting.McGurn: "He seems in a good mood. Part of his good mood, we hope, is that we give him something good to read that reflects what he wants to do." [ NYT , USAT ]
* Interior Department offered emergency services and personnel to FEMA in the "immediate aftermath" of Katrina but received a delayed response. [ WP , NYT ]
* Sen.Barack Obama(D-Ill.): "I think that the Democrats have to do a much better job in making their case on these issues. These last-minute efforts, using procedural maneuvers inside the Beltway, I think, has been the wrong way of going about it." [ WT ]
* Republicans reject criticisms of K Street Project. [ WT ]
* The "institution" ofAlan Greenspanends tomorrow, but a book and consulting firm are in the works. [ NYT ]
* Confirmation ofSamuel Alitois viewed as a "triumph 25 years in the making" for conservatives. [ NYT ]
*Sandra Day O'Connorexpected the unexpected. [ USAT ]
* New studies show "emotions and implicit assumptions often influence why people choose their political affiliations, and that partisans stubbornly discount any information that challenges their preexisting beliefs." [ WP ]
*Hugo Chavezmay joinCindy Sheehanin Crawford to protest the war. [ AP ]
* National Journal will partner with PBS for revamped "Washington Week." [ NYT ]