From NationalJournal.com (12/20/2006)

IRAQ
Bush Holds Press Conference On Option Of Sending More Troops To Iraq
"The White House is considering an expansion of the U.S. Army and Marines for 'the long struggle against radicals and extremists,' President Bush said during a Wednesday news conference," CNN reports. "Bush would not elaborate on where that struggle would take place, only that he wanted to ensure that the U.S. military 'stays in the fight for a long period of time.' The president has asked new Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who visited military commanders in Iraq on Wednesday, to report back on how to expand the military." (Compiled by NationalJournal.com, Dec. 20)

CAMPAIGNS
Clinton Discusses Prospects Of A Woman President
Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., "got into the holiday spirit Wednesday, describing her family's Christmas traditions, as well as the political mood, hinting it might be time for a mom to occupy the Oval Office," AP reports. "'We've never had a mother who ever ran for or held that position,' the former first lady told the all-female cast of ABC's 'The View.' While she revealed little about her intentions, she acknowledged that the concept of electing a woman president is 'such a leap of faith.'" (Compiled by NationalJournal.com, Dec. 20)

WHITE HOUSE
Cheney To Testify In Libby Case
"Vice President Dick Cheney will be called as a witness for his former chief of staff, a defense lawyer said in federal court Tuesday, the latest twist in the case of the outing of an undercover CIA agent allegedly in retaliation for her husband's opposition to the Iraq war," AP reports. "Cheney has been called to testify in the perjury trial of his former top aide, Lewis 'Scooter' Libby, that begins January 15, said Libby defense attorney Ted Wells said at a hearing in U.S. District Court in Washington." (Compiled by NationalJournal.com, Dec. 20)

HEALTH
Pharmaceutical Companies Issue New Warning Labels
"New warning labels for over-the-counter painkillers proposed by the government could reduce sales for Johnson & Johnson's Tylenol, which has enjoyed a higher safety profile compared with its competitors' products," AP reports. "The New Jersey-based company said sales of Tylenol rose roughly 10 percent in 2005 from the previous year. Part of that boost came after the Food and Drug Administration concluded that rival products, including Wyeth's Advil and Bayer AG's aspirin, might carry the same cardiovascular risks as prescription drugs like Merck & Co.'s Vioxx, which was pulled from the market in 2004." (Compiled by NationalJournal.com, Dec. 20)

© Copyright 2006 by National Journal Group Inc.
To learn more about National Journal Group and its publications, which include National Journal, CongressDaily, The Hotline, Technology Daily, The Almanac Of American Politics and Government Executive, please click here.