As most of you already know from reading the Corner, NRO is starting a server change in about ten minutes. Unfortunately, this means all NRO posting will be on hold until Tuesday morning. I hope all of you have a great Memorial Day weekend. Starting early Tuesday, I’ll be back with the Buzz in full force. In the meantime, please keep your thoughts and tips coming to epfeiffer@nationalreview.com

Thomas Sowell makes a similar argument to Peter Brown’s, but from a more conservative point of view. Sowell argues McCain sold out conservative principles, but nonetheless, “pulled the rug out from under Majority Leader William Frist, his probable chief rival for the 2008 Republican Presidential nomination.”

Sowell says, “Senator McCain has lost nothing. If Hillary Clinton is the Democrats' candidate in 2008, what alternative would the Republican base have? Vote for Hillary?”

The Orlando Sentinel’s Peter Brown writes John McCain’s leadership role in the filibuster compromise, “makes him the big winner from a mixed result.” Brown writes:

“Of course, conservatives hold great sway in the GOP nomination process, but those who see this matter as a nail in McCain's coffin misunderstand the history lesson of Republican nomination fights.”

Brown argues that when it GOP primary season arrives, McCain can remind voters of his conservative credentials, which will trump any short-term disappointments. Brown says McCain has stayed conservative where it counts:

“McCain did not cave on matters of ideology. He didn't reverse his opposition to abortion rights, vote for a major tax increase or undercut President Bush's foreign policy.”

McCain critics will argue he has in fact broken two of those traits. He has opposed Bush tax cuts and favors an increase in federal funding for stem cell research.

Hillary Clinton is making moves against further combat restrictions for women in the military.

Over at the New York Post, Deborah Orin has a different take on the new Hillary Clinton poll. Orin notes that a full 40 percent of respondents say they wouldn’t vote for Clinton, which is higher than the percentage who say they would “very likely” support her.

Bloomberg News writes Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is “off to an auspicious start, charting a diplomatic path for President George W. Bush's second term with a combination of assertiveness, self-discipline and star-quality charm.”

Rice is even getting credit from Democrats like Sandy Berger who says, “She has done a good job of projecting America around the world. Both her travels and her style have worked well.”

A new USA Today poll shows 53 percent of voters would support a Hillary Clinton presidential run.

29 percent were "very likely" to vote for Clinton for president in 2008; 24 percent were "somewhat likely." Seven percent were "not very likely" and 39 percent were "not at all likely" to vote for Clinton. Her strong support has risen by 8 percentage points, and her strong opposition has dropped by 5 points since the same question was asked in June 2003.

USA Today says:

“Clinton commands as much strong support — but more strong opposition — as George W. Bush did in a Newsweek poll in November 1998, two years before the 2000 election. She is in slightly stronger position than then-vice president Al Gore, the eventual 2000 Democratic nominee, was in 1998.”

In an editorial entitled, “The Frist Problem,” the Los Angeles Times writes, “The best thing a Senate majority leader with presidential aspirations can do is quit.”

While other Senate leaders like Bob Dole have quite the Senate to get away from the perception of being too obsessed with the details and minutiae of congress, Frist’s problem, according to the LAT is, “The longer he tries to run the Senate, the more he looks like a bungler whose only principle is personal advancement.”

Roll Call (subscription required) reports Wesley Clark, “has taken a high-profile role, both on and off Capitol Hill, as a Democratic spokesman and foreign policy adviser, stoking speculation that he is planning another national campaign in 2008.”

House Democrat Charles Rangel said of Clark, “I’m convinced we would have won with him. On the war he had a much better message than most of our candidates.”

Democrat spokesman Chris Lehane was slightly more measured, saying Clark should have an, “enormous role in the party that can manifest itself in any numbers of ways. I’ve always thought a Clinton-Clark ticket had a nice ring to it.”

After yesterday’s Democrat filibuster of John Bolton, George Allen said, “The honeymoon is over.” All Republicans voted to end cloture on Bolton and were joined by Democrats Ben Nelson, Mary Landrieu and Mark Pryor.

Just hours earlier, Harry Reid had given a speech calling for “comity and cooperation.” Bill Frist responded, “Tonight, after the Democrats have launched into yet another filibuster of a presidential nomination. . . . those words seem empty and hollow.”

Possible White House 2008 player Lindsey Graham has received no shortage of criticism for his role in the filibuster compromise, but after the Bolton filibuster he said, “Maybe this was just a bridge too far at the end of the most stressful week in recent memory. . . . The spirit that we were trying to create has been damaged."

Finally, John McCain said of Bolton, “Let's be frank, he is not a career diplomat, either by profession or temperament." However, McCain added, "that directness and forcefulness are assets, not hindrances, to effectiveness at the U.N.,"

Today’s Wall Street Journal editorial goes after Republicans like George Allen who support increases in ethanol funding.

Bill Frist writes an editorial in USA Today urging congress to double the funding for the Palestinian territories. Frist writes:

“President Abbas cannot turn his words into reality if the resources required for success, particularly in Gaza, are not readily available. That, in turn, could mean the end of President Bush's vision of two democratic states living side by side in peace and security. As a strong supporter of Israel and what she stands for, we cannot let that happen.”

As the House seeks a compromise stem cell bill that President Bush could sign, Bill Frist told reporters he has “not decided how to proceed” on the issue, but will decide after the Memorial Day break.

Today a federal jury will begin deliberating the case of former Hillary Clinton fundraiser David Rosen. Yesterday, prosecutors made their closing arguments in a public’s “right to know” case, concerning more than $800,000 in expenses that were not reported to the Federal Elections Commission.

However, the Washington Post writes allegations against Rosen are not likely to affect Hillary Clinton:

“The case has been closely watched by Clinton's critics, especially amid widespread speculation about her potential aspirations for a 2008 presidential run. But from the start of the trial, federal prosecutors have made it clear that they do not believe the senator was involved.”

Reader Mike writes in to note something that missed my attention earlier in David Broder’s column today. Broder said:

"But contrary to myth, the heroes of the far right rarely win presidential nominations -- as witness the fate of Steve Forbes, Gary Bauer, Pat Buchanan and Pat Robertson, among others."

However, Mike points out that over the last seven presidential elections, “heroes of the right” Reagan and George W. Bush not only won their elections, but won re-elections. And if you count George HW Bush’s election, that’s five out of seven. Obviously, HW is not a “hero of the right” but he was heir to Reagan’s administration.

As Mike says: “So that makes 7 elections, 4 nominees who are admired by the right, and only once when a non-hero of the right snuck through.”

In a letter to supporters, DNC Chair Howard Dean notes the group met its weeklong fundraising goal of $250,000 in 48 hours. Democrats will now add field organizers in Kansas.

Dean has set a new fundraising goal of $500,000 to send organizers to four more states in addition to the nine Democrats have staffed so far. In addition to Kansas, the DNC has raised funds to staff efforts in Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, North Carolina, North Dakota, West Virginia and Wyoming.

In a sure sign of White House political maneuvering, George Allen’s office announced the senator would consider voting for legislation requiring the U.S. to double its ethanol, biodiesel and other “renewable fuel” use by 2012. Allen used to be a “reliable vote against expanding the ethanol industry but lately he is rethinking his position.”

The plan could add an additional 3.6 cents per gallon to the cost of gasoline, costing taxpayers an additional $3.2 billion over the next five years.

When Allen spokesman David Snepp was asked if the move had anything to do with a possible White House run, he said, “I don’t have any comment about that.”

The Christian Science Monitor argues that John McCain “emerges a winner” and helped his ’08 chances by leading the compromise over judicial filibusters.

Today’s Boston Globe looks at Mitt Romney’s views on abortion. Romney told USA Today “I’m in a different place” on abortion than when he first ran for office, promising to keep abortion, “safe and legal.” Romney said to USA Today, “Understand, over time one's perspective changes somewhat. 'I'm in a different place than I was probably in 1994, when I ran against Ted Kennedy, in my own views on that.”

However, even if Romney were shifting his personal opinion on abortion, would it be enough to convince pro-life voters in the 2008 presidential primaries? The Family Research Council’s Tom McClusky said, ''For a lot of people, especially Christian conservatives, it's one of those black and white issues. You're either pro-life or not. That's the trouble with Governor Romney -- he's gray."

David Broder dedicates his column today to John McCain, entitled “The Senate’s Real Leader.” Broder writes:

“If -- as many expect -- McCain and Frist find themselves rivals for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008, the gap in their performance will be remembered.”

Yesterday, President Bush met in the Oval Office with Priscilla Owen and Texas Senators Kay Bailey Hutchison and John Cornyn. In his remarks, the president thanked Bill Frist for securing an up-or-down vote for Owen:

“Thanks to the good work of the Leader, whose work cleared the way, Judge Owen is finally going to get an up or down vote on the Senate floor. She is my friend, and more importantly, she's a great judge.”

Owen herself thanked Frist in her remarks:

“Senator Frist, thank you for your leadership. I appreciate that, and I appreciate the fact that I'm finally going to get a vote, thanks to your efforts.”

The Manchester Union Leader has an editorial on Bill Frist today. The editorial leads by saying Frist, “is not doing his Presidential ambitions any favors by continuing to let Democrats run the U.S. Senate with the help of squishy Republicans like John McCain, Susan Collins and Lincoln Chafee.”

The piece concludes by asking, “Frist has again showed that he is no match for Senate Democrats. If he cannot effectively lead 55 Republican senators, how can he be trusted to lead the party and the country three years from now?”

The Washington Post takes a similar look at the 2008 fallout for McCain and Frist after the judicial compromise vote. However, the Post notes Chuck Hagel may benefit from McCain’s move. After remaining mostly ambiguous about a deal on filibusters, Hagel was out in force yesterday condemning the deal.

In a release entitled, “Sen. Frist loses the fight: the failure of the nuclear option undermines his presidential aspirations,” DNC Chair Howard Dean writes:

“Unfortunately, Janice Rogers Brown, William Pryor, and Priscilla Owens will likely be confirmed. But a fundamental tenet of our democracy was protected. The bottom-line is that the 48 percent of us who did not vote for President Bush still have a voice in our government, and Senator Frist and the radical right-wing extremists were prevented from obtaining absolute power.”

Dean sends a clear message to moderate Republicans. Efforts to compromise and maintain civil relations with the other party are perceived as “failures” not just by conservative members of the Republican Party, but by the core institutions of the Democratic Party as well. Is this another example of Dean speaking only for the far left? Will moderate and civil Democrats have to refute his comments once again? Or, perhaps this is the true sentiment of those who only 24 hours ago were speaking of preserving a 200-year-old institution and possibly democracy itself.

The Dallas Morning News reports Hillary Clinton has raised more than $460,000 from Texas donors in 2005. That places Texas as her second-largest donor state, only behind New York. In addition, Texas has been the third largest campaign fund source for HRC.

Texas Democrat Garry Mauro says, “Oftentimes, I have to twist arms and trade favors to get people to come to fundraisers. But that’s no the case when Hillary came.” HRC did a 36-hour “fundraising blitz” of Texas back in March.

Reader Tony writes in regarding George Allen:

“With Allen's performance with respect to Bolton and judicial nominations, I think he would be a much better majority leader than Frist. In fact, I am starting to think that his leadership qualities would be of better use in the Senate as majority leader than as president. The good news is that the majority leader position will be open next Congress, and I hope that Allen (rather than McConnell or Santorum) runs for it.”

The Center for Individual Freedom has some advice for Bill Frist following last night’s compromise deal over judicial filibusters:

“Majority Leader Frist should continue, deliberately and steadfastly, to bring nominations through the Judiciary Committee and to the floor of the Senate and stick to his principle of insisting on fair up-or-down votes for all judicial nominees.”

The St. Paul Pioneer Press reports Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty may be losing some of that dark horse support he has been generating as a possible 2008 player. Pawlenty has proposed a 75-cent tax increase on cigarettes, which has upset Americans for Tax Reform President Grover Norquist.

However, just last week ATR had named Pawlenty a “Hero of the Taxpayer” for his anti-tax increase efforts. Norquist says Pawlenty can still “redeem” himself by backing off the proposed cigarette tax. However, in a press conference yesterday, Pawlenty said:

“People are tired of bickering and finger-pointing. They want leadership, and they want results. So I put my neck out pretty far on the chopping block. I was doing that with my eyes open, knowing what the fallout would be.”

Gallup has some new poll numbers out. First, Howard Dean comes out with mostly even split approval ratings. According to Gallup, 35 percent of voters have a favorable opinion of Dean, 33 percent have an unfavorable view, 18 percent have “never heard of” Dean and 14 percent have no opinion.

Bill Frist falls into a similar place as Dean. Though Frist’s “never heard of” numbers are far higher. He walks away with 26 percent personal approval, 24 percent disapproval, 32 percent “never heard of” and 18 percent no opinion.

Clearly, most emails I have been receiving about John McCain are not positive. But at least one regular, conservative Beltway Buzz reader wonders if McCain has really betrayed conservative principles with his move. After all, this deal does not prevent a future vote on filibusters if Democrats do not hold up their end of the deal. And the White House is praising the deal as of this morning:

“I'm willing to cut him a little slack. He's doing what he thinks he needs to do to win in '08. He was a party guy in '04 and stood by GW whenever it was needed. When people ask what did McCain get for his support in '04, we saw the price yesterday. Not too bad if you ask me, when compared to the cost of a Kerry presidency.”

If there’s one Republican I see a benefit for after the filibuster compromise, it is George Allen. Allen has spoken forcefully on the issue, and beat Frist to the punch in calling for a vote on filibusters sooner rather than later. Though Allen was not seen as one of the major players on this issue, he has also been an unusually strong advocate for confirming John Bolton without delay. There is a growing sentiment from Beltway Buzz readers and many in the conservative movement that Allen is showing more leadership qualities in the Senate than the actual Majority Leader.

Like Frist, voters will judge how Allen responds to the compromise and what moves he makes in ensuring confirmation for Bush’s future nominees. In the meantime, Allen has shown himself to possess the style of leadership most voters look for in their presidential nominees. It’s far too early to make broad proclamations, but never too early to note progress.

McCain seems to be the larger player in this issue. No doubt he will receive a lot of positive media attention and accolades from Democrats after last night’s compromise. The question is how much does that actually help him in seeking the Republican nomination? Based on the number of emails I received from Beltway Buzz readers last night and over the past several weeks, his role in the compromise deal has once again hurt him with conservative voters – those same voters who will play a substantial role in choosing the next nominee.

Frist will gain respect from a small portion of conservative voters for his efforts to push through a vote to end judicial filibusters. However, there is likely to be more negative fallout for the Senate Majority Leader as he failed to deliver on an issue of critical importance to many conservative voters. How the judicial issue plays out through 2006 will continue to have an impact on his future electoral prospects.

Today you will find no shortage of stories covering the compromise deal on judicial filibusters. Beyond the ramifications for President Bush’s political nominees, there will be fallout on a number of issues including, “the next presidential race, especially the prospects for Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist of Tennessee and potential GOP rival Sen. John McCain of Arizona.”

Don’t forget to count George Allen into the filibuster equation as well. From my vantage point, each has something to gain and lose from last night’s development.

In a letter to supporters, Howard Dean says “months before anyone expected,” Democrats are hiring new state party workers in Nevada, Mississippi, Wyoming and Nebraska. However, in the letter Dean asks Democrats for an additional $250,000 by this Friday to add staffers in another state.

Dean tells supporters: “We have to be everywhere. We can't afford to run seven-month campaigns in a handful of states -- we need to build a permanent infrastructure to elect Democrats at every level of office. Developing that deep bench of leaders and active citizens is the only way to reshape that red and blue map we see every four years.”

Washington Whispers reports “political associates” of Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice are pushing her name as a 2008 White House contender. One associate said, “She definitely wants to be president.” However, the source added Rice won’t quit her job to run, “She wants to be drafted.”

There is plenty of Buzz today regarding the New Yorker’s profile of John McCain. The New Yorker writes that running for president, “appears to be the organizing principle of his life these days, evident in his assertion of his leadership capabilities, his position of himself, his relationship to President Bush."

When McCain is asked if he’s fit to serve as president he answers his views/experience on national security issues show, "I do believe that I have the qualifications to address what is now the transcendent issue of our time."

McCain friends say he is “far more serious and focused” than in the past. McCain’s mother Roberta said, "I think he's running for President … I think he would make a very good President."

On his own standing with Republicans, McCain says, "I am the most sought-after of all Republicans ... Particularly since the 2004 campaign, there has been a great softening of this dislike for me." McCain aides are even discussing the possibility of Karl Rove supporting his candidacy. McCain 2000 supporter and GOP lobbyist Ken Duberstein adds, "John has continued to be one of Bush's strongest supporters. I think he's been quite careful. He's making all the right moves."

There has been much attention paid to Hillary Clinton’s efforts to realign her image as a more moderate political figure before her presumed White House 2008 run becomes official. However, New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson may be taking the strategy one step further – by insulting his fellow Democrats and possible 2008 contenders.

Richardson summed up the 2008 field:

"On the Democratic side, there is an impressive field of potential presidential candidates,”

"'There's Joe Biden who may be able to bring back national security voters; Senator Evan Bayh from Indiana may be able to bring back the Midwest."

"Virginia Governor Mark Warner may bring back the South, and Hillary Clinton - she's the only one who can bring back the White House furniture."

John McCain told Fox News Sunday yesterday that there would be one more meeting tonight on efforts to avoid a vote on ending judicial filibusters. McCain was asked if his support for the filibuster would hurt his 2008 support with conservative voters:

“Not in the slightest. I travel a lot around country, and I get very good support and appreciation from conservatives. I talk to a lot of conservative audiences.”

“Look, as you said, I'm not making a decision on running for president. But I have great confidence that the appeal that I have to conservatives in my party is that I'll do what I think is right.”

“And I've always done what I think is right for the country. And I will not allow political ambition to in any way impact that.”

“And I have a very strong base amongst social conservatives, and it's interesting that polling numbers amongst Republicans is very strong from all parts of the Republican Party.”

“So, I frankly think that for me to allow my ambitions to impact on an issue of this magnitude would be not a proper thing to do.”

As some Beltway Buzz readers may have noticed already, I will be sharpening the focus of my coverage over the coming days and weeks. In an effort to provide National Review Online readers with the latest political news, Beltway Buzz will be targeted to a greater extent on the build-up to the 2008 presidential election.

What this means is you’ll still see the same kind of news reporting I’ve brought you over the past three months – but with an adjustment in focus. Stories like the battle over judicial filibusters, Tom DeLay and John Bolton will still receive coverage here and I will continue to provide fresh and original reporting for you the reader. However, this coverage will now be seen through the lens of how potential 2008 players are affecting the debate.

I’ll take a look at the stars and supporting cast from both sides: Hillary Clinton, George Allen, Rudy Giuliani, John Kerry, John Edwards, John McCain and Bill Frist just to name a few. In addition to how these figures are influencing the current debate in Washington, I’ll let you know what moves they are each making to set themselves up for a possible presidential run.

In addition to the 2008 coverage, I’m going to be paying a lot more attention to Howard Dean and the efforts of Democrats to rehabilitate themselves. If yesterday’s Meet the Press appearance by Dean is any indicator, this should be entertaining and infuriating.

As always, it’s the readers of NRO who make Beltway Buzz worthwhile. As my coverage evolves, I welcome and ask for your feedback. Let me know what you like and what you think I could be doing better. As always, it’s epfeiffer@nationalreview.com.

If you have enjoyed watching the Beltway Buzz grow so far, know that your contribution as a reader has played a substantial role in fine tuning this page to bring you the best information and reporting possible. No matter what topic is in discussion, my goal is to bring you a stronger product each day that grows in quality of content provided and the enjoyment you receive in reading it.

The Houston Chronicle reports Hillary Clinton has been a “shadow” in the judicial filibuster debate. The presumed 2008 Democrat presidential nominee has been staying behind the scenes of the issue, allowing her Democrat colleagues to lead. As the Chronicle notes:

“Presidential politics may be a factor in Clinton's reserve, experts said, and she may be calculating that being too vocal could hinder her efforts to moderate her image.”

The Cook Political Report’s Jennifer Duffy adds, "For somebody who is spending a lot of time taking a slow walk to the middle, this is probably not an issue she felt she needed to take a stand on."

Rudy Giuliani received a standing ovation from the 1,600 in attendance at Loyola College’s graduation ceremony. Giuliani noted the “flap” over his invitation by the Roman Catholic school even though he has pro-abortion views “I realize there might have been a little controversy [about] me coming. I can't help it, I'm a Yankees fan.”

Protestors said only 10 showed up to challenge Giuliani, while a “reporter” counted five in attendance. Giuliani stressed he is personally opposed to abortion but doesn’t believe current laws should be changed.

USA Today looks at governors who lead states traditionally carried by members of the other party. One of those governors receiving much attention is possible White House 2008 player Mitt Romney. USA Today chronicles Romney’s attempt, and likely failure, to place limits on stem cell research. However, they also note the surprising success he’s found in promoting charter schools.

As Romney says about getting things done in a state with only 13 percent registered Republicans, “There aren't a lot of long passes with fireworks in the end zone. I can't get things done here unless the success is shared.”

Tim Russert went after Dean yesterday for his comment that Tom DeLay should be in jail for ethical allegations against him. Russert said, “You said in December of 2003 that we shouldn't prejudge Osama bin Laden. How can you sit here and have a different standard for Tom DeLay and prejudge him?”

Dean went so far as to say there was greater evidence against DeLay than bin Laden, “I don't think I'm prejudging him. I think there's a reasonable chance that this may end up in jail."

Russert also pointed out the front page of the DNC’s website shows a doctored photo of Tom DeLay that is made to look like a police mug shot.

Though appearing uncomfortable for much of the interview, Dean seemed to find his confidence, or at least channel his anger, when the topics switched to Tom DeLay and organized religion. First, Dean offered his balanced view of the other side, “I hate what the Republicans are doing to this country, I really do.”

Referring to DeLay, Dean asserted, “This gentleman is not an ethical person, and he ought not to be leading Congress, period.”

On organized religion, Dean stressed that though he does not attend church, he is a committed Christian. Though, the amusing part of Dean’s logic came through when he stressed, “I don't go around wearing it on my sleeve. And I think that's a private matter. And I'm happy to talk about it.”

Finally, on judicial nominations, Dean said, “Look, I have nothing against up or down votes on people. I think that's a good thing.”

You can read all of Dean’s comments here.

Yesterday saw Howard Dean’s return to Meet the Press. As one DNC official told me, “This is Howard’s big media week.” So far, Dean’s big start came up more than a little short.

Clearly, most Beltway Buzz readers would not agree with most of Dean’s views regardless of how they were presented. But from a purely cosmetic point of view, his performance was shaky and uneven the first two-thirds of the interview. Dean repeatedly looked to his notes when answering Tim Russert’s questions and seemed to genuinely struggle with the answers he wanted to give versus the ones his new position, as DNC Chair requires.