NEWS SUMMARY

News coverage focuses again today on President Reagan, as he leaves Southern California for Washington, D.C., where he will lie in state at the Capitol until Friday. And as the commemoration continues, that coverage is beginning to cast a more critical, if still respectful, eye on the memory of the 40th President of the United States.

Meanwhile, the business of the current Administration continues, and after Attorney General John Ashcroft's testimony yesterday, the White House remains under (relatively muted) fire over its approach to the treatment of prisoners and the memos outlining possible justification for their abuse. If the President's critics on this issue can keep stoking their uproar, we expect to see it back on the stove, if not the front burner, next week.

Today, President Reagan's body arrives at Andrews Air Force Base for a funeral procession to the Capitol, Washington, D.C. The President's body is scheduled to leave the Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, Calif., at 11:30 am ET for the flight to Andrews Air Force Base. The casket is scheduled to arrive at Andrews at 5:00 pm ET.

At 6:00 pm ET, the procession from 16th Street and Constitution Avenue will begin. Six matched horses will lead the caisson to the Capitol, with a riderless horse symbolizing the fallen former commander in chief. Military pall bearers will meet the casket at the Capitol's West Front, and carry it into the Rotunda. Mrs. Reagan will meet the casket at the Capitol. Overhead, F-15s will perform a flyover, with one jet in the last group peeling off to execute the Missing Man formation. A state funeral service will be held with Vice President Cheney, House Speaker Hastert, and Sen. Ted Stevens, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, delivering remarks and laying wreaths.

The Rotunda opens for public viewing at 8:30 pm ET, and at least 100,000 people are expected. President Reagan lies in state until Friday morning.

President Bush attends the G-8 Summit in Sea Island, Ga. ABC News' Jon Garcia reports that President and Mrs. Bush will visit with Mrs. Reagan at Blair House Thursday night upon their return from the G-8 Summit.

Sen. Kerry attends the graduation of his daughter Alexandra at the American Film Institute in Los Angeles. He returns to Washington, D.C. early Thursday morning.

First Lady Laura Bush hosts a roundtable discussion on Global Women's Issues for the spouses of G8 Leaders, Sea Island, Ga.

Lynne Cheney delivers the keynote address at the Good Housekeeping 7th Annual Award for Women in Government Luncheon at the Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

The Senate convenes at 9:30 am ET in order to accommodate speeches in tribute to President Reagan. There will be a roll call vote tomorrow at 11:30 am ET on a resolution honoring President Reagan.

The House of Representatives meets at 10:00 am ET.

President Reagan's political legacy:

The Washington Post's Pianin and Edsall look at the darker side of Reagan's legacy, especially to African Americans, and write that the weekend's encomiums obscured that much of Reagan's record "was highly controversial and intensified social and political divisions." LINK

Some progressives and liberals extend their condolences to the Reagan family but reassert their opposition to Reagan's approach to such domestic issues as AIDS, civil rights, and unions, reports the New York Times. LINK

The Chicago Tribune's Mike Dorning and Rudolph Bush write about the lasting bitterness among some segments of the urban poor over Reagan's policies. LINK

The Washington Post's Jonathan Weisman takes a look at the long-term impact of Reaganomics. LINK

The New York Times' Elisabeth Bumiller provides a must-read look at the Reagan/Bush dynamic. LINK

". . . like all relationships between American presidents and vice presidents, and for that matter between political wives, the truth about the Reagans and two generations of Bushes is more complicated. Although each side is offering nothing but tribute to the other during this week of Reagan nostalgia, over the past quarter-century the relationship between the families has been strained for periods by political ambition, social resentment and a lack of chemistry between two formidable first ladies."

The Chicago Tribune's Jeff Zeleny reports on President Bush's complicated relationship with the Reagan legacy, even as it prompts conservatives to "wistfully declare that Bush is serving Reagan's third term." LINK

The Boston Globe's Kornblut points out an effort by both parties to use the legacy of former President Ronald Reagan to their advantage. LINK

USA Today's Walter Shapiro uses Reagan and others to explain the dangers of underestimating Republicans' intellect. LINK

The Washington Post's Steven Ginsberg looks at the road closures and ensuing traffic nightmares this week. LINK

The funeral plan: LINK

Prison abuse scandal:

The Washington Post's Susan Schmidt reports that Attorney General John Ashcroft on Tuesday told the Senate Judiciary Committee that he would not release the controversial 2002 memo suggesting an interpretation of laws governing the treatment of prisoners. LINK

"Mr. Ashcroft's appearance before the committee had been scheduled before most of the memorandums were disclosed, and he looked deeply uncomfortable under the harsh questioning," writes the New York Times' Neil Lewis. LINK

Lewis walks his readers through the series of Administration memos dealing with working outside of the confines of the Geneva Conventions when dealing with detainees. LINK

Washington Post's Allen and Priest write that the memos have "focused new attention on the role President Bush played in setting the rules for interrogations" -- namely, according to White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan, "broad guidelines, rather than dealing with specific techniques." LINK

The Washington Post editorial board blasts the Bush Administration for the memos and for refusing to disclose them, arguing that "there is no justification, legal or moral," for the legal reasoning laid out within them. They ask: If a foreign leader decided that Americans needed to be tortured in the interest of that country's national security, would the Bush White House find that acceptable? LINK

The politics of Iraq:

Washington Post's Slevin and Wright report on the U.N. Security Council's unanimous approval of the Iraq resolution, writing that "after months of insisting on control, the White House calculated that Iraqi leaders backed by a more united international community could turn back the militant opposition that has beset the occupation." The duo Note that the line from agreement to concrete support still remains unclear. LINK

William Safire wonders if the United States is double crossing the Kurds. LINK

The G-8 summit:

The Chicago Tribune's William Neikirk and Dahleen Glanton report that even though President Bush scored a victory Tuesday with the U.N. Security Council, he is not yet successful in persuading his fellow G-8 leaders to send troops to Iraq. LINK

ABC News Vote 2004: Bush-Cheney re-elect:

First Lady Laura Bush told USA Today that Jenna and Barbara Bush could give speeches as part of their contributions to their father's reelection campaign. The First Lady also told Keen and Benedetto that she doesn't think she got as much attention in 2000 as Teresa Heinz Kerry is getting now. LINK

As Republicans get ready to swarm on the Big Apple this summer, Ryan Lizza turns in a detailed look at the relationship between New York City and the federal government and the Bush Administration for this week's issue of New York magazine. LINK

Lizza Notes that besides the $20 billion in post-9/11 aid, "the parochial perspective of New York City, the problem with Bush and the Congress is that they seem to screw New York on everything else."

ABC News Vote 2004: Sen. John Kerry:

The New York Times headline reads, "Kerry Pays Respects to Reagan, but Takes a Swipe at Bush." LINK

The text of the article includes this one reference to President Bush: ". . . he added pointedly: 'I had quite a few meetings with him. I met with Reagan a lot more than I've met with this president.'

Halbfinger's interpretation: " . . .[Kerry] managed to take a swipe at President Bush for marginalizing Democrats in Congress . . ." It's time to play . . . "Swipe/Not a Swipe!"

Strong job growth will not get in John Kerry's way of campaigning against President Bush's economic policies, reports Matea Gold of the Los Angeles Times. LINK

ABC News Vote 2004: Bush v. Kerry:

AP's Ron Fournier writes a must-read about changes to Florida since 2000, Noting that Florida's suburbs have exploded, that traditionally helps Republicans, and while a large number of the state's new additions are traditionally Democratic leaning Hispanics, that doesn't automatically translate into Democratic votes. LINK

Deb Orin wraps up the latest set of presidential contest poll numbers for you. LINK

The New York Times' Rutenberg traveled to Columbus, Ohio ("one of the most evenly divided cities in one of the most evenly divided states of this political season") and discovered those being bombarded by campaign advertising have formed some pretty strong opinions about John Kerry based on those commercials. Bob Shrum, Harold Ickes, and Karl Rove will all be afforded the opportunity to smile while reading this story. LINK

"For better or worse, the cauldron of Campaign 2004 shows a high-tech community no longer anointing its favorites from some common, self-interested ground, but split in precisely the same ways as everyone else on national and global issues," writes the Wall Street Journal's John Harwood. And here is today's free link to boot: LINK

Veepstakes:

Kerry aides have requested hundreds of past newspaper columns by Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack. LINK

Gov. Mark Warner (D-Va.), the next chairman of the National Governors Association, puckers up and tells reporters John Kerry has a shot at winning Virginia. LINK

Gov. Bill Richardson (D-N.M.) paid his respects at the Reagan Presidential Library yesterday. LINK

The conventions:

The New York Times on Mayor Menino's union dilemma and security measures already being put in place. LINK

As was the fear this time yesterday, construction on Boston's FleetCenter was halted yesterday when some workers and delivery trucks refused to cross the large picket lines, reports the Boston Globe. LINK

As if the DNCC hasn't had enough headaches, Roll Call writes of frustration by members of Congress that there are not enough hotel rooms and space in the FleetCenter for the normal friends, family, and top donors who historically attend the convention. "Democratic sources say convention planners are already looking at creative ways to secure more housing nearby - even asking wealthy Bostonians to offer up their mansions for the week."

Do not miss Ben Smith's boffo profile of Kevin Sheekey (or "Mr. Bloomberg's version of Karl Rove") in the current New York Observer. Not only will you learn that Sheekey was temporarily fired from Moynihan's staff, you will also read that he recently turned down a New York Times "Public Lives" profile. LINK

ABC News Vote 2004: the battlegrounds:

Membership in the ACLU is now at an all-time high across the country, and it's rising fastest in Washington state. Insiders there attribute the growth to a Patriot Act backlash. LINK

Rev. Jesse Jackson stumps for the working poor on a four day bus tour through Appalachia to talk about jobs, health care and education. LINK

Rev. Jackson's rally in Athens, Ohio Tuesday was met with some harsh words by the GOP. "I think it is sad that on the day when the nation is mourning the loss of one of its presidents, some of John Kerry's supporters are out there campaigning and spreading this angry message," says an RNC spokesman in the Columbus Dispatch.

The Orlando Sentinel looks at Rep. Johnnie Byrd's new campaign ad featuring a Reagan tribute. LINK

The economy:

The Wall Street Journal's Bob Davis Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan said the central bank continues to anticipate boosting short-term interest rates at a "measured" pace, but signaled he was ready to move more aggressively if inflation rises more quickly than the Fed currently expects.

The politics of national security:

The AP's Hope Yen reports the Sept. 11 commission has drafted a report that criticizes the FBI and intel agencies for "missteps prior to the catastrophe." Individuals in the Clinton and Bush administrations are not blamed. LINK

Nader:

The Nader campaign tries to lure attention back to a Homeland Security contract the Bush Administration awarded to Accenture, a foreign corporation based in Bermuda. LINK

The man with the national campaign that is second-most-referred-to as "quixotic," Dennis Kucinich, explains his plan to protect Kerry's "left-flank" from Indie candidate Ralph Nader. LINK

Morning show wrap:

http://abcnews.go.com/sections/politics/TheNote/Morning_Show_Wrap.html

Tuesday's primaries:

Incumbent Democrat won the 8th District primary in Virginia yesterday. He faces Republican Lisa Marie Cheney in November. LINK

In South Carolina, former Gov. David Beasley and Rep. Jim DeMint go to a runoff for the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Sen. Ernest Hollings, AP reports. Education Superintendent Inez Tenenbaum won the Democratic primary. LINK

Making votes count:

Florida county elections supervisors are beginning to comb through the controversial lists of possible felons who may need to be removed from voter rolls. LINK and LINK

Politics:

Impeachment testimony has begun in the Nutmeg State. LINK

TODAY'S SCHEDULE (all times ET):
—9:00 am: House Republicans hold a closed party conference, Washington, D.C.
—9:00 am: House Democrats hold a closed party caucus, Washington, D.C.
—9:00 am: Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack holds a news conference at the State Capitol, Des Moines, Iowa
—9:00 am: President Bush greets G-8 leaders, Sea Island, Ga.
—9:30 am: President Bush attends a plenary session at the G-8 Summit, Sea Island, Ga.
—9:30 am: The Senate convenes to accommodate speeches in tribute to President Reagan
—10:00 am: The House of Representatives convenes for business
—10:00 am: House GOP leaders hold a news conference to discuss the late President Ronald Reagan, Washington, D.C.
—10:30 am: The American Petroleum Institute issues its weekly national petroleum report
—10:30 am: The Energy Information Administration releases the weekly report on petroleum inventories
—11:00 am: Mrs. Reagan and family arrive at the Reagan Library, Simi Valley Calif.
—11:15 am: The Reagan family holds a departure ceremony from the library to the Naval Base in Ventura County, Point Mugu, Calif.
—11:30 am: President Reagan's body is scheduled to depart the library for the flight to Andrews Air Force Base
—11:30 am: Lynne Cheney delivers the keynote address at the Good Housekeeping 7th Annual Award for Women in Government Luncheon at the Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.
—12:00 pm: The plane carrying President Reagan's body departs from the Naval Base, Ventura County, Point Mugu, Calif.
—12:00 pm: Sen. Ted Kennedy and Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Richard Lugar meet with 65 school students from the Islamic world at a reception marking the first year of the Cultural Bridges/Youth Exchange and Study program, Washington, D.C.
—12:45 pm: President Bush has lunch with Mideast leaders
—1:00 pm: MTV's Gideon Yago answers questions in a "Convention Chat" on youth participation in politics and the essay contest "Stand Up and Holla"
—2:15 pm: First Lady Laura Bush hosts a Roundtable discussion on Global Women's Issues for the spouses of the G8 Leaders, Sea Island, Ga.
—2:50 pm: President Bush participates in a Greater Middle East Leaders class photo
—5:00 pm: President Reagan's body arrives at Andrews Air Force Base, Washington, D.C.
—6:05 pm: President Reagan's funeral procession proceeds east on Constitution Avenue to the U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C.
—7:00 pm: President Reagan's body is received at the U.S. Capitol to begin lying in state, Washington, D.C.
—7:30 pm: A viewing of President Reagan's casket is held for foreign and national leaders at the Capitol, Washington, D.C.
—7:45 pm: President Bush participates with the G-8 Leaders in a traditional G-8 class photo
—8:30 pm: The Capitol Rotunda opens to the public procession