Cut to the News . . . Your Daily News Briefing
Wednesday, March 4, 2009 Make us your homepage
Leading the News
Poll Gives Obama Backing on Agenda . . . He is more popular than ever, Americans are hopeful about his leadership, and GOP getting drubbed in public opinion.
Wall Street Journal
Bernanke Backs Higher Spending . . . Tacitly endorses Obama's call for huge increases in spending and trillion-dollar deficits. Slams AIG. New York Times
Obama Seeks to Boost Confidence Assures Americans nation will recover. Advises that it's time to buy stocks. Washington Post
Politics
McCain Blasts Obama on Earmarks . . . Says president should have taken stronger stand on $7.7 billion in pork tucked into $410 billion spending bill. San Francisco Chronicle
Obama Signals Support for 'Card Check' . . . Legislation would make union organizing easier. Wall Street Journal
GOP Tries to Figure Out How to Deal With Rush . . . He slams the party. They slam him. They take it back. Democrats love it.
Washington Post
Tighter Vetting Slows Postings . . . Process for federal appointees has intensified since problems emerged with several early nominees.
Washington Post
Los Angeles Mayor Reelected . . . Antonio Villaraigosa secures a second four-year term. Los Angeles Times
Obama Reverses Bush on Endangered Species Act . . . Will require consultations with wildlife experts on whether new government projects will cause harm. McClatchy Newspapers
FEC To Fine Edwards Over 2004 Contributions . . . Presidential campaign must pay more than $170,000 for taking excessive contributions and other violations. McClatchy Newspapers
National Security
Bush Memos Shock Legal Experts . . .Administration sought unchecked wartime authority. Chicago Tribune
Obama Seeks to Revamp Russia Relations . . . Proposals on arms reduction, missile defense, economic support. Obama denies he sought quid pro quo on Iran. Washington Post
U.S. Reaches Out to Syria . . . Dispatching two U.S. officials to Damascus for exploratory talks. They won't meet with Assad. Chicago Tribune
Afghan War Hinges on Far-Flung Outposts . . . Petraeus believes small, remote bases will help protect against insurgents and build strong ties to locals. Wall Street Journal
Business
Auto Sales Plunge 41 Percent in February . . . Executives worry market's bottom remains elusive. Chrysler raises share with buyer incentives. Wall Street Journal
Treasury To Outline Housing Plan . . . A $275 billion plan to help homeowners in financial difficulty avoid foreclosure. Financial Times
One in Five U.S. Mortgage Holders Underwater . . . Rate will increase as housing prices drop in states that have so far avoided worst of the crisis. Reuters
Obama Campaign Aide to Head FCC . . . Julius Genachowski was a technology adviser during the presidential campaign and is a law school friend. Washington Post
International
Cricket Team Attack May Have Been Kidnapping . . . . Gunmen who killed seven in Pakistan assault escape. Dawn
Boom Gives Way to Bust in Ireland . . . When even U2 sees the plug pulled on a real estate project, you know things are bad.
Los Angeles Times
Clinton Meets West Bank Leaders . . . Using a brief foray into Middle East diplomacy to signal a new direction. New York Times
Karzai Rebuffed on Vote Timing . . . Afghan election commission sets it for August, not April. BBC
Also Today. . .
Chinese Bronze Heads' Auction Creates Stir . . . Chinese man's phony bid, a patriotic gesture, raises questions about future auctions of art looted from countries. Los Angeles Times
Warrant Issued in Chandra Levy Case . . . D.C. police announce they will charge a Salvadoran illegal immigrant with first-degree murder. Washington Post
Search for Football Players Ends . . . Hope turns to despair as rescue operation for those lost in fishing expedition is suspended.
St. Petersburg Times
Bionic Eye Gives Blind Man Sight . . . One of three people in UK to be fitted with bionic eye talks about how he can see for first time in 30 years.
BBC
Ted Kennedy to be Knighted . . . Queen to bestow honor on ailing senator. Times (UK)
Today's Video
Pilot Decision Caused Deaths on the Ground . . . CNN
