Monday, May 8, 2006

Fire Up the Culture Wars

So let's say you're the governing party and you're worried about upcoming elections because of high gas prices, low poll numbers, copious scandals, internal discord and an unpopular war. What do you do? For congressional Republicans, the answer is to start a new fight over judges. Republicans revived a years-old dispute last week over White House aide Brett M. Kavanaugh's nomination to be an appellate judge. The affable Kavanaugh will appear before the Senate Judiciary Committee tomorrow to explain his role in warrantless wiretapping, plus address the topic of former lobbyist Jack Abramoff and other flammable subjects. Lawmakers on both sides are already using the filibuster word. It's part of an effort to stir up the party's disillusioned conservative base. Also scheduled for action this week in the Judiciary Committee: approval of a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriages. That will be followed shortly by action on a flag-burning amendment.

BOUND FOR SUNSHINE: President Bush heads to Florida today to do a fundraiser for embattled GOP Rep. E. Clay Shaw Jr. Then he gives three speeches in the Retirement State tomorrow and Wednesday promoting his Medicare prescription drug plan.

FILL 'ER UP: Lawmakers trying to respond to high gas prices have more events in the works. The Senate Commerce Committee plans a hearing tomorrow on corporate average fuel economy standards. The House Energy and Commerce Committee will follow on Wednesday with a hearing titled "Gasoline: Supply, Price and Specifications." Congress also expects to take action this week to limit the number of "boutique" blends of gasoline in hopes of reducing prices. And, in other legislative business, the House is scheduled to have its annual debate on Iraq when it takes up the defense authorization bill late in the week.

TICKLING FUNNY BONES: The Library of Congress hosts a lecture Wednesday by former senator Alan K. Simpson (R-Wyo.), titled "Politics as a Contact Sport: Humor in Public Life."

SNOW DAY: It's new White House press secretary Tony Snow's first full week on the job. But with the president on the road much of the week, it appears the former Fox News commentator will do his first Tony Snow Show on Friday in the White House briefing room.

-- Dana Milbank