The Note: Card in the Sleeve

— -- WASHINGTON, Mar. 8

Speaker Pelosi and Chairmen Obey, Skelton, and Murtha hold a 10:00 am ET press conference on the war funding emergency supplemental appropriations bill at the US Capitol.

"House Democratic leaders intend to propose legislation requiring the withdrawal of U.S. combat troops from Iraq by the fall of 2008, and even earlier if the Iraqi government fails to meet security and other goals, congressional officials said Wednesday night," writes David Espo of the Associated Press. LINK

"The conditions, described as tentative until presented to the Democratic rank and file, would be added to legislation providing nearly $100 billion the Bush administration has requested for fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan, the officials said."

The Democrats will unveil their plan against the backdrop of the lede New York Times story today which reports, "The day-to-day commander of American forces in Iraq has recommended that the heightened American troop levels there be maintained through February 2008, military officials said Wednesday." LINK

Don't look to the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue for sound on Iraq today. President and Mrs. Bush depart the White House at 9:00 am ET for a six day trip to Latin America with stops in Brazil, Uruguay, Colombia, Guatemala, and Mexico. No press briefing is currently scheduled.

Karl Rove delivers a noon ET lecture at the Clinton School of Public Service in Little Rock, AR on the Bush 43, Clinton, McKinley, Truman, and Nixon Administrations. (The lecture is open press.)

Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) holds a 6:45 pm ET "exchange of ideas" event at the Hudson Theatre in New York City. Sen. McCain plans to gaggle with reporters at 7:45 pm ET.

Gov. Mitt Romney (R-MA) delivers a keynote address at a GOP fundraiser in Kanawha County, WV.

Sen. Sam Brownback (R-KS) and Rep. Lee Terry (R-NE) hold a 11:30 am ET press conference to discuss a bill which would give stay-at home parents tax relief in 122 Cannon House Office Building.

Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) delivers a noon ET "major address" on rebuilding America's military at the Center for American Progress in Washington, DC.