Daily Briefing: And the Race Begins
*Josh Boltenseeks "fresh start" for the White House.McClellan: "This is a time to reenergize and renew our commitment to help the president advance his agenda." [ WP , NYT , W$J ]
* Mississippi senators are criticized for allocating $700M from war funding to relocate brand-new freight rail line. Sen.Tom Coburn(R-Okla.): "American taxpayers are generous and are happy to restore damaged property, but it is wrong for senators to turn this tragedy into a giveaway for economic developers." [ WP ]
* Sen.Hillary Clintonraised $6M in the first quarter and holds $20M in the bank; Sen.George Allen(R-Va.) has $7.2M on hand. [ WP ]
*Rumsfeldsays calls for his retirement will fade. [ NYT ]
* Gay families attend White House Easter egg roll; few complaints about missing theBushes. [ USAT ]
* States are showing some fiscal restraint; surpluses seen in 42 states. [ USAT ]
* National Archives pledges new era of "transparency"; Archives had "secret agreement" with the CIA to withhold documents. [ WP , NYT ]
*Mike Gravel, former Democratic senator from Alaska, officially announces bid for '08 presidential nomination. [ WP ]