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Host Bob Edwards talks with Robert Schmuhl, author of Statecraft and Stagecraft: American Political Life in the Age of Personality. They discuss tonight's speech by President Bush, his first address to Congress. (4:04) (Please note: The introduction to this interview misstates the size of President Bush's tax cut. The correct figure is $1.6 trillion.)

Though he says he's no big fan of auto-racing, commentator Frank Deford defends NASCAR as a sport. He says fans are not attracted to NASCAR because they want to see accidents or death, and he points out that many of the sport's northern detractors are fans of an equally dangerous sport, boxing.

Charlene Scott of member station WFCR reports on a new play written by actress Lynn Redgrave. Redgrave, daughter of esteemed British actor Michael Redgrave and sister of actress Vanessa Redgrave, began writing for the stage in 1993 with Shakespeare for my Father. She says her new work The Mandrake Root is not autobiographical although the main character, an elderly British woman named Rose, was inspired by her mother. The play is making its world premier in New Haven, Connecticut.

NPR's Larry Abramson reports that federal judges are questioning the order to break up Microsoft. An appeals panel is finding complications with the government's reasoning in the case, and questions the ethics of Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson in commenting to the media about Microsoft executives.

Joshua Levs of member station WABE reports that today is the deadline for pilots to reach an agreement with Delta Airlines. They had been negotiating wages and benefits in their contract with the airline, but the focus now is which planes they fly. As tensions mount in the airline industry, President Bush could impose a two-month cooling-off period.

Commentator Amity Shlaes says the wealthy are still waiting for the tax cut they were promised back in 1986. Fifteen years later, Shlaes hopes the new president will make-good on a promise that previous administrations have ignored.

Host Bob Edwards talks with sports commentator John Feinstein about the college basketball season. Louisville's coach, Danny Crumb is under pressure to retire, and speculation is already high about his replacement. With the ensuing NCAA tournament, Feinstein says the ACC will have at least five bids, though Stanford is the favorite to win.

NPR Legal Affairs correspondent Nina Totenberg reports that the Supreme Court ruled unanimously to uphold the Clean Air Act. The Court said that Congress did not act unreasonably by establishing the 1970 law, and their decision was hailed by conservationists and public health professionals. (3:49)Check out more NPR News coverage of the Supreme Court.

NPR's Peter Kenyon reports on reaction among members of Congress to the president's address. Predictably, Democrats questioned the wisdom of making such large tax cuts, while Republicans defended the president's plan. Members from both parties agreed that Congress has a lot to do this year.

NPR's Legal Affairs Correspondent Nina Totenberg reports on a case before the U.S. Supreme Court today that could determine how political parties may spend their money. The case involves contributions to parties for specific candidates -- and how those contributions are spent. (7:22) Check out more NPR News coverage of the Supreme Court.