Hillary, Obama and Anonymous Sources

"President Bush this week is prepared to unveil what his aides have billed as a bold new national strategy to confront global climate change and work toward energy independence, even as Democrats push their own, more aggressive approach to the issue," says the Boston Globe.

A new Newsweek poll: "Bush's Iraq plan isn't doing anything for his personal approval rating either; it's again stuck at its lowest point in the history of the poll (31 percent). Meanwhile, the new Democratic-controlled Congress is getting relatively high marks. And 55 percent actually trust Congressional Dems on U.S. policy in Iraq, far more than the 32 percent who trust their commander in chief."

The spotlight is also falling on Michelle Obama, who, at the moment, isn't talking to the press.

One Nebraska Republican has become a media darling, and Power Line's John Hinderaker is ticked off about it:

"One of my pet peeves is the way the press treats Chuck Hagel. A member of one of the most press-beloved of all species, the 'maverick Republican,' Hagel is ritually referred to--especially when he opposes President Bush--as a 'potential presidential candidate.' As I wrote long ago: not as a Republican, he isn't. The idea that Hagel could contend for the Republican nomination is absurd. He has no money, no organization, no standing in the polls. At most gatherings of Republican loyalists, he would more likely be tarred and feathered than nominated.

"So why do our reporters and editors continue to anoint the loathesome Senator Hagel as a possible Presidential candidate whenever they quote him attacking President Bush? I think it's fair to assume that they do it in order to enhance his stature--which is minuscule, in fact, within the party--and thereby advance their story line of deep division among Republicans."

Will the new ethics rules mean a new era in the House and Senate? Don't be so sure, says Time's Karen Tumulty:

"Does this mean Congress will be squeaky clean from here on out? The history of ethics reform is lather-rinse-repeat. Reforms work for a while, until politicians find a way around them. And often, the seeds of the next scandal are sown in the effort to clean up the last one. The classic example is campaign finance reform: In answer to the abuses of Watergate, Congress established PACs, which became their own Culture of Corruption. So they clamped down on them, which led to huge increases in "soft money." So they got rid of soft money in McCain-Feingold, which sent the money into 527s. The result is, there's more money in politics than ever, and it's harder to trace."

The Donald is feeling put upon, says Public Eye:

"Here's publicity-shy mogul Donald Trump, quoted in the Toronto Star, explaining the continuation of his endless, soul-crushing 'feud' with Rosie O'Donnell: 'The real question is, "When's it gonna stop?" And I believe it only stops with you folks and when the media in general stops asking the question. Every question I get is about Rosie.'"

And it's so hard to get the billionaire to talk about it.