The Note: RealClearPolitics

— -- WASHINGTON, May 19

President Bush hits the campaign trail again today. Mr. Bush headlines a 12:40 pm ET closed press fundraising reception for the Thelma Drake for Congress campaign in Virginia Beach, VA. At 3:45 pm ET, the President makes remarks about his competitiveness initiative in Highland Heights, KY before headlining an open press Geoff Davis for Congress fundraiser in Florence, KY at 5:35 pm ET.

(Rep. Drake's slight underperformance of Bush in the district in 2004, and Gov. Kaine's winning the district in 2005 helps explain the presidential boost in this still-likely Republican district. In Kentucky, Rep. Davis faces former Rep. Ken Lucas -- to whom he lost in 2002 -- in this competitive district. It may be one district where President Bush's approval ratings don't look too low by comparison. Snuggled in that Ohio-Kentucky border, the district hears plenty of troublesome news about both Govs. Taft (R-OH) and Fletcher (R-KY).) LINK and LINK

No need to spend much more time wondering about which member of the Bush Team is thought to be most effective in the Blue States. First Lady Laura Bush heads to Vermont and Rhode Island today to raise some money for Martha Rainville's congressional campaign and Sen. Chafee's Senate campaign, respectively.

The Senate continues its work on the immigration bill. The House continues its work on appropriations bills.

The grand jury investigating the CIA leak case is scheduled to meet at 9:30 am ET.

The NRA's annual convention gets underway in Milwaukee, WI. LINK

On the eve of the mayoral primary in New Orleans, two heavy-hitters are in Louisiana today. Vice President Cheney delivers the 2006 commencement address at Louisiana State University at 1:00 pm ET. Sen. Harry Reid (he who is trying to give Dr./Sen./Leader Frist some hell for pursuing the constitutional ban on same-sex marriage) kicks off the latest installment in his "Red State" tour with a trip to New Orleans today, followed by a joint appearance with Senate candidate Sherrod Brown (D-OH) on energy independence tomorrow in Cleveland, OH.

Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) is scheduled to give the commencement address at the New School graduation ceremony today at Madison Square Garden at 2:30 pm ET. Watch for the local television and newspaper coverage of protesters tonight and tomorrow.

Watch ABC News' George Stephanopoulos and Liz Marlantes deconstruct the Hayden hearings on the world-famous "This Week All Week" Webcast. You'll also find out which potential 2008 presidential candidates took steps forward this week according to ABC News' Mark Halperin. LINK

Make sure to tune in on Sunday morning to "This Week" when George Stephanopoulos interviews Attorney General Alberto Gonzales on immigration, wiretapping, and much more. Also on Sunday, George's exclusive interview with the 2004 vice presidential nominee and 2008 hopeful Sen. John Edwards (D-NC).

In news of day:

The Senate does immigration, the House doesn't move: LINK, LINK, LINK, LINK

The Hayden coronation: LINK, LINK, LINK, LINK, LINK, LINK, LINK

The House budget analysis with little hope of bicameral agreement: LINK, LINK

The Battle on the Bayou: LINK, LINK, LINK, LINK

Bush to the border: LINK, LINK, LINK, LINK, LINK, LINK

The "good riddance" mark-up on hetero marriage: LINK, LINK, LINK

The House rebuffs oil and gas companies: LINK, LINK, LINK

Scalia to Congress: "Drop dead.": LINK, LINK, LINK

"Rudy" is Northern for "bubba.": LINK, LINK, LINK, LINK

John DiStaso definitive take on Don Fowler's DNC nomination calendar derailment plan: LINK

(If you haven't yet fully absorbed Phil McNamara's genius grid, we urge you to do so!)

DiStaso on Ed Gillespie's timeline in authorizing RNC payment for Tobin's defense: LINK

The Lieberman-Lamont primary curtain-raiser to today's state party convention: LINK, LINK

Sen. Clinton's Empire State Republican support: LINK

The Schwarzenegger-Bush divide: LINK

Sen. Clinton's Embassy Row fundraiser for Rep. Harold Ford - which some may call "fancy": LINK

Enterprise:

"Lobbying Case to Get Jury Test," Jeanne Cummings, Wall Street Journal, on Monday's Safavian trial. LINK

"Congress Bribery Probe Could Deepen," Michael Kranish, Boston Globe, with a Katherine Harris cameo. LINK

Catholic college's students rankled by choice of Secretary Rice as graduation speaker, by Elizabeth Mehren of Los Angeles Times. LINK

Opinion:

"McCain and the Base Truth," Michael Kinsley cracks the code. LINK

"Medicare Bidding War," Wall Street Journal ed board, with Gigot forgetting that the President signed the bill. LINK

"Why Is Border Security 'Conservative'?," Charles Krauthammer is smart and civil. LINK

"A Right Turn Holds Peril for Bush," EJ Dionne is apparently unaware of microtargeting. LINK

The rest of today:
Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld and Gen. Peter Pace hold a "town hall" meeting at the Pentagon at 11:00 am ET.

Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI) delivers an address -- not a lecture -- entitled, "Beyond Iraq: Refocusing Our National Security Strategy," at CSIS in Washington, DC at 12:30 pm ET.

RNC Chairman Ken Mehlman heads to Wisconsin today to participate in a NRA grassroots workshop in Milwaukee, WI and then heads to the Republican Party of Wisconsin convention to serve as keynoter in Appleton, WI. Gov. Romney cancelled his planned appearance at the Wisconsin GOP gathering due to the aftermath of the flooding in his commonwealth.

President George H.W. Bush (41) and Mrs. Barbara Bush headline a fundraiser for Senate candidate Michael Steele today. (And it hasn't gone unnoticed by the hardball Maryland Democratic Party's press shop!)

Sen. Evan Bayh (D-IN) keynotes the Polk County Spring fundraiser in Des Moines, IA today.

Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) and Rep. Ted Strickland (D-OH) participate in an Ohio Democratic Party rally to "Take Back Ohio" in Toledo, OH.

Sen. John Edwards (D-NC) is in Snow Hill, NC to speak to Greene Central High School students today.

Weekend schedule:
Vice President Cheney headlines a Tennessee Republican Party fundraiser in Nashville, TN tomorrow before heading out to San Francisco to begin his West Coast swing.

First Lady Laura Bush delivers the commencement address to graduates of Roger Williams University in Bristol, RI tomorrow. Her in-laws handle commencement duties at The George Washington University this weekend. Chief Justice Roberts does the same for graduates of Georgetown University law school students.

Sen. John McCain attends a Saratoga Springs, NY fundraising lunch for Rep. John Sweeney (R-NY) tomorrow. (It's unclear if the two will hit a fraternity party together or not.) Then Sen. McCain heads to Dewey Beach, DE for a fundraising reception for Congressman Mike Castle (R-DE).

On Sunday, McCain attends a South Portland, ME fundraising reception for Dave Emery's gubernatorial campaign.

Sen. Edwards addresses South Carolina NAACP's annual "Freedom Fund Celebration" tomorrow evening in Columbia, SC.

Sen. Evan Bayh (D-IN) continues his travels in Iowa tomorrow helping local candidates raise money in Osceola, Council Bluffs, and Sioux City, IA. On Sunday, Bayh heads back to his home state to give the commencement address at Depauw University in Greencastle, IN.

Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) delivers the commencement address at Kenyon College in Gambier, OH tomorrow.

Gen. Wesley Clark (D-AR) delivers the 200th commencement speech at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY tomorrow.

On Sunday, Sen. Clinton (D-NY) delivers the commencement speech at Genessee Community College in Batavia, NY.

Kevin Madden will have a good weekend.