Wonkette
• New details emerge about Gonzales: some complain he too often acquiesced and lacks political judgment; a memo in his name was ghostwritten by Cheney’s counsel; Rice, Hadley, others were bypassed in tribunal decision-making.” Republicans expect confirmation; MoveOn will run television ads. [WP, NYT, LAT, USAT, USAT, WT]
• Republicans adjust House rules, requiring at least one Republican to agree to ethics investigations; inquiries now less likely. [WP, NYT, LAT, USAT, BG]
• Seven new Republican Senators on board for GOP agenda. Thune: “It will hopefully change the psychology of the Senate, by going from 51 to 55.” [WP, NYT, WT]
• Bush’s medical malpractice bill would protect drugmakers from consumers seeking punitive damages due to Vioxx, Celebrex; provision may be altered. [WP]
• Bush launches campaign for tort reform as popularity of issue falters: “The dirty little secret in Washington is the trial lawyers have a few Republicans in their pocket.” [WP]
• Administration, aware of political sensitivity, will go-slow on Social Security restructuring; McClellan insists nothing is finalized. [WP, LAT, USAT, WT]
• Conyers prepared to formally object to Ohio count during tomorrow’s electoral certification. [WT]
• Goss announces deputy, ends afternoon counterterrorism coordination meetings. [NYT]
• Representatives can now address Senators by name during floor debates. Scholar: “The distance between ‘Crossfire’ and the House floor is shrinking all the time.” [LAT]
• Bush close to naming Mack, Breaux to lead tax reform panel. [NYT]
• Regula, Lewis, Rogers compete to chair Appropriations Committee; decision expected shortly. [WP]
• Obama tries to lower expectations. [LAT]
• Ickes, Kirk will not run for DNC chairman. [WP]
• Card’s work resides in imaginary kitchen. Friend: “[His desk is] almost empty, there’s no paper anywhere. But he’s created this whole system in his head with this mind discipline of his.” Card loves to doodle; he wakes at 4:20, often works late and on weekends; was a night manager at McDonald’s. [WP]
• Senator Salazar shares apartment with brother, Representative Salazar. [WP]
• Will Gonzales remove $8,000 curtain that shields semi-nude statues? [WP]
• Linguistics professor wants Dems to reframe debate; Dean is listening. [LAT]
• Whitman, in new book, argues GOP is “dictated to by a coalition of ideological extremists.” [WT]
