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.
Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT) announces his campaign co-chairs in a 1:30 pm ET conference call with the press.
Sen. Joe Biden's (D-DE) Senate Foreign Relations Committee holds a 9:30 am ET hearing on a new strategy for the war in Afghanistan in the Dirksen Senate Office Building.
Gov. Schwarzenegger (R-CA) visits San Joaquin County Jail to assess overcrowded conditions at 2:00 pm ET in French Camp, CA.
Pollster Stan Greenberg and MoveOn.org's Tom Mattzie hold a 2:00 pm ET press conference to discuss a new poll that gauges public opinion on the war in Iraq in the 2008 battleground districts at the National Press Club.
Former DNC Chairman Terry McAuliffe delivers a 3:00 pm ET keynote address at a Arizona Democratic Party event at the in Phoenix, AZ.
Elected Women in Government hosts a 3:00 pm ET panel discussion on what candidates must do to win female votes in 2008 at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
The House Veteran's Affairs Committee Oversight and Investigations hears 3:30 pm ET testimony on conditions at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
Former President Jimmy Carter delivers a 1:00 pm ET lecture on his book, "Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid" at George Washington University's Lisner Auditorium in Washington, DC.
Justices Anthony Kennedy and Clarence Thomas deliver 10:00 am ET testimony to House Appropriations Subcommittee on the expenditures of the Supreme Court in the Rayburn House Office Building.
The Seventeenth Annual Awards Dinner of the Radio and Television News Directors Foundation honors ABC News' Bob Woodruff and others at a 6:30 pm ET dinner at the Ritz Carlton in Washington, DC. ABC News' Martha Raddatz holds a 12:30 pm ET book signing of her book "The Long Road Home" at Borders (18th & L NW) in Washington, DC.
Must-reads:
Washington Post: "As Iraq Exit Plan Arrives, Democrats' Rift Remains" LINK
Wall Street Journal (with poll numbers): "McCain Is Forced To Play Catch-Up As Support Ebbs" LINK
Wall Street Journal: "Bear Stearns Opens Its Doors to Candidates"
New York Times: "New York Label May Not Fit All in Giuliani Run" LINK
"Rudy's Riding High in Ohio, Fla., Pa. Pall" headlines the New York Daily News. LINK
ABC News: "Obama Responds to Questions About Investments" LINK
New York Times on same: LINK
Chicago Tribune: LINK
Chicago Sun Times' Lynn Sweet column: "Obama's stock answers" LINK
The Hill: "2008 and counting: Sen. Obama pivots after bad press" LINK
ABC News: "McCain: Obama 'A Very Honest and Fine Person'" LINK
Watch the video: LINK
Boston Globe: "Obama paid late parking tickets- Racked up penalties while at Harvard LINK
Washington Post's George Will: "Three Good Options for the Right" LINK
Wall Street Journal letter: "RomneyCare Is Still in Good Health"
New York Times: "Nebraska Senator to Announce Monday Whether He Will Run for President" LINK
The New Hampshire Union Leader's "Granite Status" has a huge hire for Huckabee, upcoming McCain and Obama travel, and Clinton's sold-out Saturday night. LINK
Washington Post: "Edwards to Skip Nevada Debate Hosted by Fox" LINK
Politico: "Richardson Defense on Character Raises Questions" LINK
Washington Post: "Unions to Delay Supporting a Candidate" LINK
Politico talks with '08 G.O.P. strategists regarding the "Immigration Minefield" LINK
Time: "Dick Cheney in Twilight" LINK
Washington Post: "Bush Deflects Pressure To Give Libby a Pardon" LINK
Robert Novak: "No crime, so Libby should get no time" LINK
Washington Post's David Broder on Baker, Mitchell, Dole, and Daschle: "Common Ground Caucus" LINK