• Bush will make aggressive attempts to frame secret NSA activities as a political asset at events this week; the “next few days could prove critical” for both sides. Scott McClellan: “We are stepping up our efforts to educate the American people about this vital tool in the war on terrorism.” [NYT, USAT]
• Justice Department is accused of conservative bias in voting-rights cases. [WP]
• In 2005, Democrats “were more unified than at any time in the past half century”; observers credit Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.). [LAT]
• Republicans now expect 55-45 vote for Samuel Alito. [WP]
• Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) and Rep. Jane Harman (D-Calif.) criticize eavesdropping program. Kerry: “We’re prepared to eavesdrop wherever and whenever necessary in order to make America safer. But we need to put a procedure in place to protect the constitutional rights of Americans.” [WT, WP]

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• Bush will turn over $6,000 he received through Jack Abramoff to the American Heart Association; other lawmakers are also donating or returning related funds. [WP, NYT, LAT]
• NSA whistle-blower: “I intend to report to Congress probable unlawful and unconstitutional acts conducted while I was an intelligence officer with the National Security Agency and with the Defense Intelligence Agency.” [WT]
• Liberal advocacy groups attack Samuel Alito’s character and credibility in new ad campaign; White House flack belittles move as “a desperation tactic.” The American Bar Association praises Alito with its highest rating. [NYT, LAT]
• Cheney suggests that secret eavesdropping could have prevented 9/11: “We didn’t know they were here plotting until it was too late.” [WP]
• Jack Abramoff pleads guilty in Florida, setting the stage to be a key government witness. [WP, USAT]
• Abramoff scandal may only change the dynamics of ‘06 if Democrats can successfully argue that Republicans espouse a “culture of corruption.” [LAT]

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