Sam Brownback’s office announced he will be a featured speaker at the National Right to Life’s annual convention in Minnesota. The convention runs June 16th-18th.

I’ll be on ABC News Now this afternoon at 1:30pm for a panel discussion about the war on terror. I’ll be appearing with Judd Legum of the Center for American Progress to debate the progress made and what lies ahead.

The National Journal Insider’s Poll (subscription required) finds Republicans and Democrats agreeing that Bill Frist’s presidential aspirations were damaged after the judicial filibuster and John Bolton fights. NJ spoke with 56 Republicans and 58 Democrats to get their results. The final tally looks like this:

Seriously hurt them 33
Slightly damaged them 52
No real impact 22
Helped them 7

Of course, what matters is what actual Republicans think. And they voted the following:

Seriously hurt them 17
Slightly damaged them 22
No real impact 13
Helped them 4

Though the Buzz has been in something of a state of hibernation regarding Tom DeLay, today’s Washington Post story demands attention.

The Post reports on Abramoff’s ties to Indian gaming and finds:

“Abramoff didn't work just with Republicans. He oversaw a team of two dozen lobbyists at the law firm Greenberg Traurig that included many Democrats. Moreover, the campaign contributions that Abramoff directed from the tribes went to Democratic as well as Republican legislators.”

Some of the Democrats on the receiving are the very same figures attacking DeLay for his Abramoff ties: Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, former senator Tom Daschle, and former House Minority Leader Dick Gephardt. House Democrat Patrick Kennedy and Senator Byron Dorgan received money as well.

The Citizen Times looks at John Edwards’ anything-but-subtle pursuit of the 2008 Democrat presidential nomination. The paper runs down a list of areas Edwards is focusing on: Studying U.S.-Russian relations at the Council on Foreign Relations, founding a poverty-research center at his alma matter, campaigning across the country and even meeting with British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Duke University political scientist Mike Munger estimates Edwards is losing $10 million annually in practice fees by campaigning instead of returning to his legal practice.

While the buzz swirls around his National Review profile, Romney will be in New Hampshire tonight, attending the New Hampshire Federation of Republican Women Lilac Dinner.

As ABC News explains, this is the same venue where President Bush made his first appearance on the New Hampshire campaign trail in 1999.

Hillary Clinton’s Hollywood fundraising swing was apparently a success, bringing in more than $1 million, according to estimates. Clinton mixed and mingled with Hollywood celebrities, producers and consultants.

However, the Los Angeles Times reports Clinton’s office, while happy to receive the attention, doesn’t want the focus to be Hollywood:

“Clinton staffers declined to provide details about the fundraisers. Like many Republicans, Democrats are often reluctant to spotlight their connections to wealthy political donors — particularly those in Hollywood — and the senator is attempting to burnish a more populist image amid speculation that she might make a bid for the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination.”

Even those in attendance were tight-lipped. One anonymous fundraiser said of Clinton’s prospects, “I think she can win the Democratic nomination in a heartbeat. I question whether she can win the presidency.”

Mitt Romney adviser Mike Murphy issued a “statement of regret” yesterday for his comments in National Review’s cover story on Romney. As I noted in the Buzz earlier this week, Murphy described Romney as, “He’s been a pro-life Mormon faking it as a pro-choice friendly.”

Murphy responded by issuing a statement that read, “The quote in the National Review article was not what I meant to communicate. I was discussing a characterization the governor's critics use. I regret the quote and any confusion it might have caused.”

I already covered most of Howard Dean’s memorable comments at yesterday’s Take Back America Conference. However, one remark that slipped by was a passing comment by John Edwards.

Edwards, who used to brag about his moderate credentials, was asked if the Democrats should shift back to a more centrist message in order to appeal to a broader constituency. Edwards said, “How about if we actually stand up and fight with passion for what we believe in?”

Clearly, this was red meat for a far left audience. But Edwards has given multiple indications that he embracing a more liberal persona as he struggles to maintain media focus on his campaign efforts. If Edwards is speaking honestly about his convictions, good for him. More likely than not though, he is emulating something closer to watered down version of Al Gore post 2000.

Yes, your humble blog is changing once again. We’re sort of like those CNN “Inside Politics” girls; so hip we need spastic cameras and crazy angles to track all of our action. Once a week we may even cut to an Oliver Stone inspired black and white still shot of the blog, just to show how cutting edge this baby really is.

In the meantime, Beltway Buzz is officially a diva. From now on, it will simply be known on a first name basis as The Buzz. There will be a new routing address, but the old one will still bring you here for now. Look for us to appear with Janet, Beyonce, Barbara and J-Lo on an upcoming VH1 special.

Nothing is changing in my coverage. Now that I’ve had some time to adjust to the 2008 angle, look for more Buzz scoops and views in the near future.

And please keep passing along your feedback, tips and insights.

Even if Howard Dean is making repeated verbal gaffes, his defenders could still rightly say he is raising money at a higher mark than Terry McAuliffe was and is making long-term efforts to build the infrastructure of the Democratic Party.

However, Business Week reports 100 days into his job Dean is “in trouble with party moneybags.” According to Business Week, Dean has not connected with traditional Democrat big donors and is not making much of an effort to do so.

The numbers seem to bear out. Dean likes to brag about bringing in 20,000 new Democrat donors in the first quarter, but the GOP brought in more than 60,000. And according to the latest figures, the GOP has $26 million on hand, compared with $7 million for Democrats.

The Hotline (subscription required) reports Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee didn’t dismiss the possibility of running for president in 2008 when appearing on C-SPAN’s Washington Journal this morning:

When asked about a possible White House candidacy, Huckabee said, "I honestly don't know. I can't run for re-election as governor. I'm term limited. ... So I'm out the door in January 2007. ... So I'll need a job. ... I'm just not sure that it could happen. You know, another Arkansas might take a look at something in 2008 -- but I'm not sure if I want to move to New York and run for Senate."

Huckabee was also asked for his thoughts on Hillary Clinton and said, “I respect her. I think she's incredibly brilliant. ... And she's underestimated by many in the Republican Party.”

The Ankle Biting Pundits blog has a good summary of some of the more outlandish comments by Howard Dean yesterday. They include:

Dean, on Republicans: “A lot of them have never made an honest living in their lives.”

Suggesting the U.S. was “picking on” Saddam Hussein

Calling the GOP platform “dark, difficult and dishonest”

Howard Fineman makes the case for Virginia Governor Mark Warner as a 2008 Democrat contender. According to Fineman, Warner’s credentials include: being a governor (and southern), access to strong fundraising and Warner will soon have ample time to travel the country when his term ends.

Fineman puts Warner in the third Democrat tier, beyond Hillary and Kerry/Edwards.

Is it possible that all the one state/two candidate talk could be correct, but simply choosing the wrong state? We've heard enough about Hillary Clinton vs. Rudy Giuliani, but what about George Allen vs. Mark Warner? Will Warner be pressured into challenging Allen in '06?

Before he gets to Rick Santorum, President Bush is making time for a $2,000 per person fundraiser for Jim Talent tonight that is expected to raise more than $1 million.

Appearing on Larry King last night, former President Clinton offered some advice for his wife on handling press inquiries about a possible presidential run. Clinton was asked if Hillary should acknowledge she is considering a presidential run during her Senate re-election campaign:

“She ought to do pretty much what President Bush did when he was re-elected governor of Texas. He said he would serve -- he didn't rule it out. And he shouldn't have ruled it out.”

“But he wanted to be in a position to continue his service as governor, and he had things he wanted to accomplish there. I think he was truthful and candid with the people in Texas, and they knew he might run.”

President Bush has scheduled a June 14th fundraiser in support of Rick Santorum. The event has a $250 entrance fee and a $10,000 price tag for a photo with the president. Montgomery County GOP Chair Kenneth Davis said, “This is the President's way of showing this race will be fought at the highest level. Other people will take notice and behave accordingly. They are going to have to be prepared to spend a lot of money.”

This is thought to be President Bush’s first fundraiser of the ’06 cycle, and expected to raise close to $1 million for Santorum.

The Associated Press carries Jeb Bush’s latest denial regarding a possible White House run in 2008. Of course, this story is fueled by former President Bush’s Tuesday appearance on Larry King where he said Jeb should run. Bush’s remark he’d like to see Jeb run for president someday has naturally received the most attention. But what caught my eye most was his dismissal of Jeb’s denials, “Nobody believes that.”

Speaking at Harvard’s Medical School yesterday, Bill Frist called for a “Manhattan project for the 21st Century,” to defend America against infectious diseases and biological weapons.

The New York Times opts for words more commonly associated with war coverage to describe Hillary Clinton’s latest fundraising effort. In the opening paragraph alone, Clinton seeks to “rouse troops,” “mobilize” her defenses and prepare for the “battles” ahead.

Though Clinton has mostly remained in the background during the debates over judicial nominations and John Bolton, she takes an “urgent” tone in her letter:

“While fairly standard for a campaign appeal, the highly partisan language is a departure from the measured and cooperative tone that has won her praise in the Senate.”

In addition to his fiscally conservative credentials, Miller writes Romney is building credibility in the eyes of some socially conservative Republicans with his efforts on stem cells and gay marriage:

“On either matter, a good case can be made that Romney has fought harder for social conservatives than any other governor in America, and it is difficult to imagine his doing so in a more daunting political environment.”

Romney adviser Mike Murphy said, “He’s been a pro-life Mormon faking it as a pro-choice friendly.”

While Romney’s views on abortion have shifted over the years, his other conservative credentials flow more easily. Even while negotiating with a state legislature overwhelmingly controlled by the opposing party, Romney has had some victories:

“He cut some programs, combined others, and looked for savings everywhere he could. In the end, he was forced to boost fees for a variety of government services by more than $200 million. ‘I know it’s kind of hard to distinguish between taxes and fees,’ he says, ‘but we stayed away from broad-based fee increases such as driver’s-license registrations.’ He says that balancing the budget without a tax hike has been his most significant accomplishment as governor.”

He also seems to be with most conservatives on immigration:

“Last year, the governor threatened to veto a bill that would have allowed illegal aliens to obtain driver’s licenses, but the legislation never made it to his desk. He actually did veto a bill that would have given illegal aliens the right to in-state tuition at public universities. He hasn’t taken a formal position on any of the federal immigration plans. ‘I’m against an amnesty and against anything that provides an incentive for people to come here illegally.’”

NR’s John Miller has a cover profile of Mitt Romney in the new issue. The piece takes an overall positive view of Romney, noting the conservative elements of his philosophy, struggles as a Republican operating in Massachusetts and looks at his presidential pedigree. Miller notes:

“Looking ahead, the question is no longer whether Romney can catch a break from Democrats, but whether he can catch one from conservatives who possess an instinctive wariness of anything emanating from the land of Kennedy, Dukakis, and Kerry. Their skepticism is well warranted—but Romney also deserves a fair hearing from them as they search for a successor to President Bush. They may come to like the guy.”

And while Hillary’s Democrat counterparts scramble for New York fundraising scraps, Senator Clinton will be conducting her own fundraising “blitz” in Hollywood.

The New York Observer finds Democrats like John Kerry, John Edwards, Wesley Clark, Joe Biden, Bill Richardson, Mark Warner and Evan Bayh have been working on their New York fundraising connections earlier than usual as a precursor to possible 2008 campaigns.

Republicans have been seen around town as well, including George Allen, John McCain, Mitt Romney and Sam Brownback.

The New York Times looks at the group of close advisers and consultants surrounding Hillary Clinton and notes her emphasis on discipline and loyalty in picking associates:

“In fact, political strategists say they are struck by the similarities between Mrs. Clinton's inner circle and the team surrounding President Bush, who has placed a premium on loyalty since his days as governor of Texas and whose lieutenants are known for falling in lockstep behind him.”

However, the NYT does not deny other possibilities:

“A harsher explanation for the camp's cohesiveness is that Mrs. Clinton's top lieutenants do not tolerate anyone who goes off message, risking a spoken word that might be viewed as unflattering to Mrs. Clinton.”

Clearly, the ability of President Bush to maintain relevance in his second term will have a great impact on the presidential selection process for both parties. A “lame duck” president will accelerate the call for a new party standard bearer along with pressure to challenge the administration. Conversely, a strong and popular President Bush will find aspiring Republican nominees positioning more closely to his policies.

To that end, today’s Washington Post says Bush yesterday “dismissed” accusations his influence “is waning less than six months into his second term.” Instead, Bush blamed Democrats and “timidity” in Congress for failure to enact some of his policies.

Mike Allen of the Washington Post followed Bill Frist during a weekend stop to NASCAR racing in North Carolina. Allen notes:

“During a two-day stay, he attended the drivers' meeting, worshipped at the chapel service that followed, quizzed crew chiefs about the science of tire pressure as he sauntered down pit road and watched a Charlie Daniels concert. With his wife, Karyn, he rode in a Corvette convertible in a pre-race parade.”

However, Allen finds that not many drivers or fans seemed to be aware of Frist or his possible presidential run:

“Frist's appearance in the media center drew roughly one-twentieth the cameras that had captured ‘American Idol’ host Ryan Seacrest battling NASCAR driver Greg Biffle on a racing simulator 20 minutes earlier.”

Right Wing News interviewed Sam Brownback and asked the Kansas Senator about 2008. Brownback said, “I’m looking at it and I am considering it. No final decision has been made. My wife and I are talking about that. I’ve made some early trips into Iowa and New Hampshire, Michigan, and last year some travels around South Carolina. I haven’t been there this year and I’m considering it. It’s quite a challenge and so I’m taking time and looking at it quite carefully.”

Brownback was also asked what his top legislative priorities are in the Senate this year:

“My first would be on the life issue. We’d be getting legislation to protect young human life in the womb and from being researched on.”

“The second one, given the nature and the time that we’re in right now, would probably be that deficit reduction deal.”

“And then there would probably be the decency legislation that’s pending now, increasing fines toward Hollywood, really trying to send a message into the culture that we need to clean up the culture.”

The St. Petersburg Times writes, “Listening to a Democratic meeting or political rally these days can be like attending church service. At Our Lady of Perpetual Defensiveness.”

John Podhoretz writes a 2008 Hillary Clinton presidential run would open the door for a Jeb Bush candidacy:

“With a candidate named Bush running against a Democrat whose name was anything other than Clinton, Democrats would be able to win almost solely on the grounds that America shouldn't be a hereditary monarchy. But with a candidate named Clinton, Democrats would lose that issue against Jeb Bush.”

Podhoretz observes that with this hurdle cleared, Bush has nearly all the elements necessary for a successful run, something much of the 2008 field on its surface lacks.

In today’s Wall Street Journal Brendan Miniter writes Republicans should ignore the pressure to embrace a GOP moderate like John McCain for 2008:

“What the McCain Myth ignores is that for now a majority of voters nationwide embrace conservative principles. Talk of being a ‘compassionate conservative’ notwithstanding, it wasn't maverick moderatism that handed President Bush victories in 2000 and 2004. Nor has the McCain Myth been responsible for padding Republican majorities in the House and Senate. Indeed, Republicans have been winning by sticking to their principles and not bucking their party's ideas on tax cuts, national defense or reforming the judiciary.”

Wolf Blitzer later asked McCain directly if he wants to be president. McCain answered:

“I'd love to be president of the United States. The question is, is do I want to run for it?”

“I'm going to wait a couple years before making that decision. And there's a lot of considerations. One of them is, by the way, what happens in the 2006 election.”

“That's going to determine a lot about the direction of the Republican Party. If we increase our majority, which I hope we do, we're on the right track. If we don't, then obviously there's going to be some re-evaluation.”

Recently Gary Bauer claimed John McCain had privately told him in 2000 that he would appoint pro-life judges to the courts as president. Then Governor Bush had told Bauer he has “no litmus test” for judges.

Appearing on CNN’s Late Edition on Sunday, McCain was asked about the rumored exchange with Bauer. He responded, “First of all, it was a private conversation. I won't talk about it. But I can tell you that there would be not litmus test for a judge if I were president of the United States. And obviously I'm going to wait a couple of years before I even make that decision.”

Andrew Sullivan acknowledges the coalition between Democrats, the media and John McCain, but nonetheless concludes:

“The truth is he is a conservative. He’s pro-life, deeply committed to low taxes and the war on terror. He has thinly veiled contempt for the European governments that opposed the invasion of Iraq, especially France; and, for good measure, he holds the Senate seat once occupied by the grandaddy of the American conservative movement, Barry Goldwater.”

Most Beltway Buzz readers responded to similar observations last week with strong disagreement. But more interesting in Sullivan’s piece is where he cites credit due for McCain’s ascension:

“Without the leadership’s errors, McCain would still be on the sidelines.”

The Des Moines Register’s David Yepsen writes Iowa and New Hampshire should retain their positions as the first national primary states but “how about having Ohio or New Mexico hold the No. 3 and 4 caucuses or primaries in 2008?”

Yepsen says the Democratic Party should consider switching the order of its primaries based on which states were statistically close in the 2004 election. Yepsen says the change could help Democrats:

“Moving other battleground states to early positions in the nominating calendar and spreading out the schedule of caucuses and primaries - could enhance the ability of Democrats to win in 2008 and reduce some of the criticisms of Iowa and New Hampshire without completely eliminating their role.”

In an interview with CNN’s Larry King, Dick and Lynne Cheney joked Laura Bush could defeat Hillary Clinton in a presidential match-up. Lynne Cheney said:

"You know, people are thinking of Mrs. Clinton running for president. I think Mrs. Bush ought to run for president. If we want to have a Bush dynasty, let's get Laura Bush."

Dick Cheney again denied any talk of a presidential run of his own, but said of Laura running against Hillary, “It's a great idea. And I think I know who would win too."

The New York Times says there isn’t much new in the recent Clinton presidential rehash, but returning to the Clinton years gives the impression:

“The book on Mr. Clinton's legacy is not yet closed - that the ‘cycles of decline and revival’ his reputation has already undergone since leaving office will be affected by one as yet unknown factor: Hillary Rodham Clinton's political future.”

The Washington Post evaluates Hillary Clinton’s presidential ambitions today through material from the new book, “The Survivor: Bill Clinton in the White House.”

The Post notes while Clinton has not formally announced her 2008 intentions, aides privately cite strong polling numbers and Clinton will not pledge to serve a full-term in her 2006 Senate re-election run while her “tenacity in her personal and political life has left her the most formidable figure by far in Democratic politics -- and in position to make history as the first woman to become president if she runs and wins in 2008.”