Morning copy 02.08.2006

Coretta Scott King's funeral

The New York Times: "At Mrs. King's Funeral, a Mix of Elegy and Politics"

The New York Daily News:

"We know now that there were no weapons of mass destruction over there. But Coretta knew, and we know, that there are weapons of misdirection right down here," chanted the Rev. Joseph Lowery, an 85-year-old King compatriot who drew the massive audience to its feet for a two-minute ovation.

"For war, billions more - but no more for the poor!" he added, to more cheers.

Bush, who rarely hears criticism to his face, wore a tight grin as he sat behind Lowery. When Lowery finished, however, Bush shook his hand with a big smile.

The Los Angeles Times: "A Eulogy for King, a Scolding for Bush"

The Washington Post: "With Tribute To King, Bush Reaches Out"

Bush's budget

President George W. Bush visits New Hampshire today. He is greeted by this line in the Manchester Union Leader's editorial: "Unfortunately, the deficit reduction Bush touts is largely a fiction."

The Washington Post:

In his State of the Union address and the new White House budget, President Bush has emphasized that he wants to abolish or substantially reduce 141 domestic programs next year, but just one in six of them are new targets. The rest are cuts that Congress has at least partly rejected in the past, administration sources confirmed yesterday.

The Boston Globe:

WASHINGTON -- President Bush's latest spending plan is unlikely to substantially reduce US oil consumption in the short term because it slashes $100 million from federal programs promoting conservation and falls short of the commitment in last year's energy bill to make vast new investments in renewable and emerging technologies, like hydrogen fuel and solar power.

New Orleans Times Picayune: "Budget has little new for storm protection"

Tax plan

Los Angeles Times (A.P.): "Key Democrat Says Bush Panel's Tax Overhaul Ideas Won't Fly"

Lobbying

The Washington Post:

WASHINGTON -- Representative John Boehner, who was elected House majority leader last week, is renting his Capitol Hill apartment from a lobbyist whose clients have direct stakes in legislation that Boehner has co-written and that he has overseen as chairman of the Education and the Workforce Committee.

Obama and McCain

Los Angeles Times: "A Day After Harsh Letter, McCain and Obama Enjoy Civil Phone Call"

Chicago Sun Times: "Obama on McCain: 'I think his feelings got bruised'"

Iraq and the Senate

The Washington Times:

The chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee yesterday said federal agencies are not doing everything they could to help the U.S. military win in Iraq, prompting Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld to suggest an overhaul of civilian departments to better fight Islamic terrorists.

Iran

The Washington Post: "Strong Leads and Dead Ends in Nuclear Case Against Iran"

Democrats

The New York Times:

WASHINGTON, Feb. 7 — Democrats are heading into this year's elections in a position weaker than they had hoped for, party leaders say, stirring concern that they are letting pass an opportunity to exploit what they see as widespread Republican vulnerabilities.

The St. Louis Post Dispatch:

Missouri Democrats captured two out of three legislative seats in special elections on Tuesday's ballots, including one in solid Republican territory in southwest Missouri.

Locally, though, the two major parties split the results.

GOP fundraising

The Hill:

Several lawmakers said the individual fundraising goals are significantly higher than they’ve been asked to meet in past election cycles. The request also underscores how nervous Republicans are less than nine months before the midterm elections.

Steelers vs. Eagles

The Philadelphia Inquirer:

HARRISBURG - The 2006 governor's race has quickly come down to this: A sports-infused smackdown pitting East vs. West, Pat's cheesesteaks vs. Primanti Bros. sandwiches, Eagles vs. Steelers.

Gov. Rendell vs. ex-Steeler Lynn Swann.

The abrupt departure yesterday of former Lt. Gov. Bill Scranton from the Republican field, and the impending endorsement of Swann by the state GOP committee this weekend, clear the way for a two-man celebrity-driven race.