An insider's guide to the upcoming week

The Dog Ate My Subpoena

Today at 2:30 p.m., the clock runs out on the latest deadline for the White House to turn over materials regarding the National Security Agency's eavesdropping program to the Senate Judiciary Committee.

The White House is likely to miss that deadline, counsel Fred F. Fielding warned committee Chairman Patrick J. Leahy (D-Vt.) on Friday. The work to compile the documents demanded by the senators -- from the White House, the office of the vice president, the National Security Council and the Justice Department -- is "by no means complete," Fielding said. He asked for an extension until after Labor Day.

The committee's original due date of July 18 was already pushed back once at the White House's request, and Leahy did not appear eager to grant more time.

It does not help that committee members have voiced frustration with the White House over its unwillingness to provide witnesses regarding the firing of nine U.S. attorneys.

"The committee looks forward to the administration complying with the subpoenas," a Leahy spokeswoman said Friday.

Kansas City, Here I Come: The national convention of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, which will take place in Kansas City, Mo., is attracting a number of A-list speakers, including President Bush on his way back to Texas from Canada (see story at right).

Bush will speak Wednesday before an expected audience of 5,800 VFW and Ladies Auxiliary delegates.

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) and Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) are set to address the meeting today. Tomorrow, Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) and still-undeclared Fred D. Thompson (R-Tenn.) will speak.

The VFW convention is not a standard campaign stop, according to VFW National Commander Gary Kurpius, and he said it is unprecedented to have candidates address the organization before winning the nomination.

Thompson also plans to speak this week at the 2007 Midwest Republican Leadership Conference, which is scheduled to run Friday through Sunday in Indianapolis. Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney is also set to address the crowd. Former White House press secretary Ari Fleischer will lead a panel discussion on the presidential election process.

On Friday, Romney is the featured speaker at a "Hoosier Hospitality BBQ" at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Running for Laughs: Comedy Central's "The Daily Show" continues to welcome 2008 front-runners (and once-runners). Tonight, former Wisconsin governor Tommy G. Thompson is still scheduled to join Jon Stewart, though he dropped out of the Republican race last week. On Wednesday, Obama makes his first appearance on the show since formally beginning his campaign.

By Rachel Dry