Notes From The Oval Office

By Matthew Cooper, John F. Dickerson and Douglas Waller

TUG-AND-PULL The battle over classified papers sought by the independent commission investigating 9/11 is coming to a head. The Executive Branch has forked over 2 million pages of documents, but President Bush is loath to give up others, including the secret Presidential Daily Brief. Commission sources say they need it. The commission is likely to give the White House another couple of weeks to comply before it issues a subpoena. If that doesn't work, the quarrel could end up in court. "The fuse is burning," says commissioner Tim Roemer, a Democrat. White House counsel Alberto Gonzalez told TIME, "We are working to reach an accommodation that won't compromise the war on terror." But commission sources say negotiations haven't got very far.

DRESS CODE A new book by Senate Democratic leader Tom Daschle sheds some light on the rigid rules at the breakfasts President Bush holds with top congressional leaders. The sessions would begin precisely at 7 a.m. and end "at 8 on the dot, no matter where we were in our discussion," Daschle writes in Like No Other Time. He describes the "buttoned-down standards of formality" at the meals. Once, former minority leader Dick Gephardt arrived with his suit jacket on his arm. "As he entered the room, Bush stopped him and said, 'You know the rules here. Put your coat on.' For a moment, Dick wasn't sure Bush was serious. Then he saw that he was, and with a small, awkward 'Oh,' Dick put on his jacket and we went ahead with the meeting."

PUMPED UP What's happened to Bush's legendary penchant for exercise? The workout President has had to curtail his routine thanks to a torn meniscus in his knee. An avid runner, Bush now runs only occasionally; his time for the mile has climbed to 9 min., up from 7 min. More often Bush uses a knee-friendly elliptical machine. He's also lifting weights. On his Asia trip, Bush, attended by a surprised gym attendant turned spotter, pumped 205 lbs. in his Bangkok hotel. The President dubbed it his "international record." Domestic record: 215, which he hit recently at Camp David. --By Matthew Cooper, John F. Dickerson and Douglas Waller