Backers of the war dismissed the death as a meaningless milestone. Critics used the statistic as a lever for prying open the possibility of getting out of Iraq. Even hawkish Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa., wondered whether continuing the war was merely reinforcing defeat.

Like the barometric readings in a hurricane, poll ratings for Bush dropped, then dropped some more (although they rebounded a bit early last month). In Congress, his fellow Republicans noted that mid-term elections would be held this November — and wondered whether they'd pay at the polls for supporting the war.

For his part, Bush pointed to progress — the election of an interim Iraqi government in January, voter approval of a constitution in October and parliamentary elections last month. Bush also insisted that Iraq was building a can-do army and police force. But only when Iraqis can do the job will Americans come home, he said.

Two vacancies opened on the Supreme Court — one through the retirement (still pending) of Sandra Day O'Connor, the other through the death of Chief Justice William Rehnquist.

Rehnquist's front-and-center seat went to John Roberts, who shone at his confirmation hearing. But the second vacancy brewed yet another storm, with the debate still unsettled.

Bush's choice of aide Harriet Miers got an angry thumbs-down from the conservatives in Bush's own Republican Party. After she bowed out, Bush set forth federal appeals court Judge Samuel Alito — whose record on abortion raised hackles among liberal Democrats. Hearings on the Alito nomination are scheduled for this week.

Indeed, much of the year's news from Washington had a Sturm und Drang edge:

An investigation into the leaking of a CIA official's status led to the indictment of Vice President Dick Cheney's top aide, I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby. It also led to a contempt-of-court jail term for a New York Times reporter who refused to finger a source — and to raised eyebrows over journalistic icon Bob Woodward's holding back secrets from his bosses at The Washington Post.

A money-laundering indictment in a Texas political fund-raising case nailed Washington's "Hammer," House Majority Leader Tom DeLay. He was forced to give up his House post — temporarily if he's cleared, for good if he's guilty.

Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham, R-Calif., owned up to taking millions in bribes. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., stirred ethical questions over the handling of his blind trust. And investigators zeroed in on the wheeling and dealing of Jack Abramoff, a lobbyist linked to key Republicans and several Democrats as well.

But one widely forecast storm simply petered out. Bush's much-touted plan to reshape Social Security as a private investment plan stalled in the face of a dubious public, then drifted off the radar screen.