Daily Briefing: Unprecedented GOP Revolt
Thursday, February 23rd, 2006
* White House acknowledges that Bush was informed of the Dubai port deal from the media, after it was approved; Bush sounds “conciliatory” in the eye of an “unprecedented Republican revolt.” Some Republicans “have been looking for ways to distance themselves from Bush without appearing to be soft on terrorism.” Scott McClellan: “This is one where we probably should have consulted with or briefed Congress on sooner.” [WP, NYT, WT, LAT]
* Administration had secret deal with Dubai Ports World that stated the company would “cooperate with future U.S. investigations”; White House insists safeguards are in place though some “routine restrictions” were relaxed. [AP, W$J]
* Bush “is on the defensive on national security for the first time in his presidency.” [WT, USAT]
* South Dakota Senate passes abortion ban designed to challenge Roe. NARAL president: “When you see them have a ban that does not include exceptions for rape or incest or the health of the mother, you understand that elections do matter.” [WP, NYT]
* Attorneys for Lewis Libby will argue that he had no intention to lie, he was just preoccupied. [WP]
* White House acknowledges that Bush was informed of the Dubai port deal from the media, after it was approved; Bush sounds “conciliatory” in the eye of an “unprecedented Republican revolt.” Some Republicans “have been looking for ways to distance themselves from Bush without appearing to be soft on terrorism.” Scott McClellan: “This is one where we probably should have consulted with or briefed Congress on sooner.” [WP, NYT, WT, LAT]
* Administration had secret deal with Dubai Ports World that stated the company would “cooperate with future U.S. investigations”; White House insists safeguards are in place though some “routine restrictions” were relaxed. [AP, W$J]
* Bush “is on the defensive on national security for the first time in his presidency.” [WT, USAT]
* South Dakota Senate passes abortion ban designed to challenge Roe. NARAL president: “When you see them have a ban that does not include exceptions for rape or incest or the health of the mother, you understand that elections do matter.” [WP, NYT]
* Attorneys for Lewis Libby will argue that he had no intention to lie, he was just preoccupied. [WP]
Our compulsive cousin Oddjack has this just in on Harriet Miers’s chances for becoming associate justice. She might want to hedge on real estate, after all: 