Rangel 'Not That Optimistic' Bush Will Back Tax Overhaul, Despite Key Input by Paulson.

This section offers news briefs concerning politics in the U.S. Kansas Senator Sam Brownback exited the presidential race as other Republicans address social conservatives' Washington gathering. In the Senate race in Maine, Representative Allen trails Republican incumbent Collins. Florida Representative Hastings is supporting the bid of Kazakhstan to chair the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.