Wonkette

Being generally liberal when it comes to matters of reproductive freedom, we are not quite willing to believe that this isn’t a strong argument by the FDA for legalization of and easy access to birth control: MORE »

* Bush will reaffirm strategy of preemption: “When the consequences of an attack with WMD are potentially so devastating, we cannot afford to stand idly by as grave dangers materialize.” [WP, NYT]
* Concern about Iraq pushes Bush’s approval rating to 37% in NBC/WSJ poll; only 32% have positive view of Democrats. [WSJ]
* Ethics package proposed by House Republicans includes limits on 527 groups. [WP, NYT]
* Dubai Ports World to sell American port operations to “an unrelated U.S. buyer.” [WP, NYT]
* Talk of censure and impeachment used to rally Republican voters. [NYT]
* Michael Brown ignored plans and circumvented Michael Chertoff during Katrina response, House report concludes. [WP]
* Bush nominates family friend to head FDA as Plan B threatens to stall vote. [NYT]
* Rep. Katherine Harris will drop $10m on her senate bid. [NYT]
* Rep. James Moran Jr. (D-Va.) says Gore should run in 2008. [WP]

* Administration and Sen. Frist (R-Tenn.) agree on 45-day review of Dubai port deal. Scott McClellan: “We believe, however, the additional time and investigation at the request of the company will provide Congress with a better understanding of the facts, and that Congress will be comfortable with the transaction moving forward once it does.” [WP, NYT, NYT, W$J, USAT]
* States make decisions on the “morning-after” pill as the FDA wavers. [WP]
* Army will reimburse Halliburton subsidiary for nearly $2.4b despite findings of overcharges. [NYT]
* Bush sets off on whirlwind two-day tour of India. [NYT]
* Mike McCurry on the White House press briefings: “It has turned into a theater of the absurd.” Ari Fleischer: “The public perceives the press not as watchdogs but as attack dogs.” [NYT]

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We read today that the GAO has found the FDA’s review of the proposal to distribute the Plan B “morning-after pill” without a prescription “unusual.” What struck us: FDA staff was told by senior officials that the application “was to be rejected before the staff completed its scientific review and months before the decision was made public.” Burying the lead here — forget about Plan B, what are the FDA officials taking that makes them psychic?! We want a prescription for that. It would eliminate the need for Plan B, if nothing else… “Man, if I had known he was going to get me knocked up, I totally wouldn’t have had those last two Zimas”! MORE »

• In 1985, Alito “wrote that ‘the Constitution does not protect a right to an abortion,’ declared his firm opposition to certain affirmative action programs, and strongly endorsed a government role in ‘protecting traditional values.’” [WP, NYT, LAT, WT, USAT]
• Graham (R-S.C.) and Levin (D-Mich.) achieve passable compromise on treatment of detainees; McCain’s amendment will likely be included. [WP]
• Frist (R-Tenn.) and Warner (R-VA) want increased accountability of the administration’s Iraq policy; proposal calls for quarterly updates. [NYT, WT]
• GAO finds political manipulation of the FDA’s decision on the morning-after pill. [WP, NYT, LAT, WT]
• Bush continually shadowed by questions about pre-war intelligence. [NYT]
• Approval of Bush slips to 37% in USAT/Gallup poll, a new low; Republicans losing faith in the president. [USAT]
• Rice delays departure from Israel, citing “progress” in talks between Israel and Palestine. [WP]
• Bush heads to Asia seeking to influence the region and escape domestic woes; says Democrats are “playing politics” by criticizing the war. [WP, LAT]

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• White House officials anticipate indictments from the leak investigation; scandals “have converged to disrupt President Bush’s agenda, distract aides and allies, and exacerbate political problems for an already weakened administration.” Senior administration official: “Everyone is going about the work at hand while bracing for the worst case.” [WP, NYT]
• McClellan dismisses suggestion that Harriet Miers withdraw; press secretary tells reporters to focus on “her record and her qualifications.” [NYT, WT]
• Bush told Blair in January 2003 that he “wanted to go beyond Iraq” to contain WMDs; he specified Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. [NYT]
• DeLay’s phone records are subpoenaed. “The thing is no big deal,” says his attorney. [WP, NYT]
• In private practice, Miers showed “a practical approach to the law with a commitment that everyone has a right to legal representation”; at times her efforts hinted at liberalism. [WP, LAT]

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• John Roberts confirmed as chief justice by vote of 78 to 22. Bush: “The Senate has confirmed a man with an astute mind and a kind heart.” [WP, NYT, WSJ, LAT]
• Judith Miller is released from jail after she agrees to testify in leak investigation; she received a waiver of confidentiality from I. Lewis Libby. [WP, NYT]
• Senior military officials fear anarchy in Iraq if constitution is not approved as they expect. [NYT, WP]
• House Republicans elbow for leadership posts in wake of DeLay news; “there is no guarantee that his colleagues will want him back.” [NYT, WP, WP]
• DeLay proclaims innocence on media blitz; GOP fundraising expected to take a hit. [NYT, NYT, LAT]
• 71% approve of Bush’s response to Hurricane Rita, Gallup poll finds. [USAT]

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• Reliable Source: Angelina Jolie proves a distraction at Capitol Hill conference on HIV/AIDS. Richard Branson also testifies: “If this were the U.S., there would be a war room set up.”. . . Lynne Cheney visits and revisits Pottery Barn. . . Connie Mack (R-Fl.) is divorcing. [WP]
• Under the Dome: Five Hall of Fame baseball players dragged out to talk about steroid legislation. . . Letter from two Democrat lawmakers regarding Plan B may have influenced FDA commissioner to resign. . . John Dingell (D-Mich.), Mark Foley (R-Fla.), Pat Roberts, ABC’s John Cochran, Howard Fineman, Matt Cooper, and Ben Bradlee attend screening of “Flightplan” hosted by Dan Glickman. [The Hill]
• Inside the Beltway: Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents found themselves hounded for ice by confused hurricane victims. [WT]
• Lloyd Grove’s Lowdown: Gloria Steinem says ‘08 is too soon for Hillary. [NYDN]
• Rush & Molloy: Ari Fleischer is working for Bud Selig. [NYDN]

Earlier we mentioned that the FDA decided to overrule pesky scientific evidence regarding the Plan B emergency contraception and instead turn to the public for advice. That may turn out to be just as well, because the actual scientists are leaving. Writes Susan Wood, former Assistant Commissioner for Women’s Health:

I can no longer serve as staff when scientific and clinical evidence, fully evaluated and recommended for approval by the professional staff here, has been overruled. I therefore have submitted my resignation effective today.

Girls — so moody! MORE »

The Food and Drug Administration took out the Friday trash last week, announcing the deferral of the approval of the Plan B “morning after pill” at 3PM on a Friday and taking four questions before “abruptly” ending the news conference. So much for opening the debate to “public comment,” though we have our doubts about going to the American people for advice on anyway; we’ll end up with a law requiring pharmacists state that Plan B is “just a theory.” A controversial and complicated scientific decision just doesn’t seem like one of those things that should go to a popular vote — look how we screwed up “Dancing with the Stars.” MORE »