For the Record.(various goings on in politics)(Brief Article)

In Zogby poll, 60 percent view President Bush favorably. . . . Among Bush's top 300 appointees, reports National Journal, 34 percent are Catholic, 34 percent are lawyers, 26 percent are Ivy League graduates, 15 percent served in Clinton administration, and 10 percent are black. . . . Treasury secretary Paul O'Neill blasts World Bank for its $225 billion in loans over the last ten years: "Visit some of the poorest nations in the world, and you will see that we have too little to show for it. . . . It's time for a new approach to eliminating poverty."

Senate minority leader Trent Lott discusses embryonic stem-cell research, on Meet the Press: "There are some delicate questions here, but the benefits are substantial, as we understand it, and they should be carefully considered. . . . This is an important issue that has potentially significant health benefits, and we should not ignore it." . . . In Ipsos-Reid poll, 49 percent of women support ban on all research into human cloning, but only 35 percent of men agree. . . . Surgeon general David Satcher, a Clinton administration holdover, issues report saying schools should distribute contraceptives.

Simon & Schuster will publish two books by Sen. Jim Jeffords (I., Vt.), one called My Declaration of Independence on reasons for bolting GOP, and another on politics more broadly. . . . Sen. Robert Bennett (R., Utah) on Jeffords fallout, in Washington Post: "There will be a satisfaction in the new Republican majority that he won't have a chairmanship." . . . Sen. Jean Carnahan (D., Mo.) doesn't say whether she'll run for reelection next year, and potential challenger, former representative Jim Talent (R., Mo.), also refuses to commit. . . . Former vice president Dan Quayle ponders running for governor of Arizona, reports U.S. News & World Report. . . . Illinois lieutenant governor Corinne Wood (R.) calls for boycott of Abercrombie & Fitch over catalog pornography, but Gov. George Ryan (R.) won't support her cause. . . . Michigan Republicans become so desperate for candidate to oppose Sen. Carl Levin (D.), nomination frontrunner is Michael Skupin, best known for appearance on TV show Survivor.

Randy Forbes (R.) wins special election in Virginia, to succeed late Rep. Norm Sisisky (D.), boosting GOP House majority to 6 seats. . . . Rep. Albert Wynn (D., Md.) on soft-money ban: "The assumption seems to be that in the absence of the allegedly corrupting influence of soft money, Congress could more effectively address the Patients' Bill of Rights, prescription drugs, the California energy crisis, etc. I find this underlying assumption false, naive, and insulting." . . . Walter Mondale ...