It is too soon to say what we are going to do ... The debates will be held when people are paying attention.

Saturday's speech at West Point will, of course, be to people who have already answered the call to service by serving our nation in the military academy, at which they are graduating at a time when our nation is at war.

People will see what a man of integrity (Ashcroft) is, a man of strength, a man of conviction. They have concerns, and will raise them in a partisan manner, but we are very confident he will be in good shape. Sen. Ashcroft is going to receive a fair hearing in the Senate.

Most of the State of the Union will not be about Iraq. Most of the State of the Union will be about improving America's economy and providing greater access to health care for millions of American people, including senior citizens.

continues to keep an eye on the situation. He has high hopes that an agreement on a Cabinet will be reached.

I think what you're seeing is diplomacy unfold, and in the end, the president remains optimistic the outcome will be solid.