Wonkette

* In May 2003, Bush publicly hailed evidence of Iraq’s WMD programs even though intelligence officials “possessed powerful evidence that it was not true.” [WP]
* House Republicans worry harsh immigration legislation will backfire. Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.): “There was political calculation that they could make this the wedge issue of 2006 and 2008, but it’s not playing out that way. This has galvanized and energized the Latino community like no other issue I have seen in two decades, and that’s going to have electoral consequences.” [WP]
* Administration may hope to scare Iran with talk of military action. Professor: “I don’t get a sense that people in the administration are champing at the bit to launch another war in the Persian Gulf.” [NYT]
* Lawmakers complain National Intelligence Office is ineffective. [USAT]
* Sen. Kennedy splits from fellow Democrats on immigration; seeks bipartisan compromise. [NYT]
* Bush, promoting Medicare drug program, tells retired dairy farmer, “You got big hands.” [NYT]
* Democrat Francine Busby expected to win Rep. Randy Cunningham’s California House seat. [WP]
* Sen. Clinton develops mutually beneficial relationship with one of her largest corporate contributors. [NYT]

• Bush was intent on invading Iraq in January, 2003, even with the knowledge that Saddam Hussein had no unconventional weapons. “Extremely sensitive” memo summarizing meeting with Tony Blair shows both leaders believed victory would come quickly and ethnic strife was “unlikely.” Bush contemplated assassinating Hussein or painting a U.S. “surveillance plane in the colors of the United Nations in hopes of drawing fire.” Chief advisor to Blair: “Our diplomatic strategy had to be arranged around the military planning.” [NYT]
• The public is losing confidence in the war and lawmakers that supported it; experts believe “this might mark a turning point in public perception.” [NYT]
• Large rallies support immigrants as lawmakers confront legislation aimed at curbing illegal immigrants. [NYT, USAT, WT]
• Pressure is on to make full disclosure of dealings with lobbyists; proposals demand accountability. [WP]
• Hillary is following Bush’s 1998 campaign strategy for her reelection. [NYT]
• Laura Bush churns through staff at a faster clip than her husband. [NYT]
• Former Virginia Gov. Mark Warner is distributing PAC funds to candidates in key ‘08 states. [WT]

* Immigration seen as breakout issue for ‘08; Bush “has lost control of his own party on the issue.” Flack for Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.): “The short-term politics of this are pretty clear. The long-term politics are pretty clear. And they’re both at odds.” [WP, NYT]
* Democrats bet ‘06 has the “perfect conditions” for female candidates; perhaps an indicator for Hillary in ‘08. [NYT]
* Congressional investigation on prewar intelligence is due next week; report unlikely to answer “whether political appointees at the Pentagon deliberately distorted intelligence and subverted analysis by the Central Intelligence Agency to gin up support for the invasion.” [W$J]
* American Muslims “are voting, running for office and getting more involved in civic and political life at every level.” [USAT]
* Push for the legalization of same-sex marriage heats up at the state-level. [USAT]
* Government raises $94,625 from auctioning goods that were given to former Rep. Randy Cunningham. [NYT]

We’re just a few days past the moment President Bush told the world that he would take responsibility for the “bad intelligence” that informed the decision to go to war with a nation that lacked the military capacity to boil water. The press’ chorus of hallelujah was predictably Handel-rific, and why not? After all, the President offered to do what the press was too perfumed and pussified to do — hold him to some modicum of accountability. It’s a new golden age! Quis custodiet ipsos custodes? Oh, don’t worry your pretty little head about that. MORE »

• White House backs Sen. McCain’s ban on the torture of detainees; noted as a “particularly significant setback” for Cheney. [WP, WP, NYT, USAT, LAT]
• In 2002, Bush authorized the National Security Agency to eavesdrop domestically without needing a court warrant; under pressure from the White House, the New York Times held the story for a year to “conduct additional reporting.” Former senior official: “This is really a sea change. It’s almost a mainstay of this country that the N.S.A. only does foreign searches.” [NYT]
• Republicans try to outmaneuver Democrats on final legislation. Filibuster may be in order for the Patriot Act debate; Republican lawmakers “are increasingly showing independent streaks.” [WP, NYT, LAT, LAT]
• Bush on Iraq vote: “There’s a lot of joy, as far as I’m concerned, in seeing the Iraqi people accomplish this major milestone in the march to democracy.” [NYT]
• Bush doubles proposal for rebuilding New Orleans levees to $3b; new structure would not shield from Category 5 hurricanes. [WP, NYT, USAT]
• Congressional report finds that the administration withheld some prewar intelligence from lawmakers; White House disputes claim. [WP]

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• Judith Miller recalls June 23, 2003 conversation with “Scooter” Libby about Joseph Wilson during her last day of testimony in the leak investigation; contempt-of-court threat is lifted. Attorneys believe Patrick Fitzgerald “is looking into a broad conspiracy charge against a group of administration officials or into charging one or more officials with easier-to-prove crimes such as disclosing classified material, making false statements or perjury.” [WP, WSJ, NYT]
• NBC/WSJ poll: 27% support Miers while 51% don’t know enough to venture an opinion; approval of Bush rests at 39% and only 28% of Americans believe the country is heading in the right direction — a ten year low. [WSJ]
• SEC subpoenas Frist for personal documents related to sale of health care stock; he is expected to testify under oath. [WP, NYT, WSJ]
• Bush defends use of religion to sell Miers: “[P]art of Harriet Miers’s life is her religion.” Alberto Gonzales: “I believe that she is pro-life.” [WP, NYT, WT, USAT]
• Democrats are hopeful about their political opportunities in 2006. Charlie Cook: “Right now, if I had to bet would the Democrats take the House and Senate back, I’d say no. But are the odds a heck of a lot better than they were three months ago or six months ago? Heck, yes.” [NYT]

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