MORE ON PORK: A reader sends this from today’s CongressDaily PM:

Seeking to assuage their political base, White House officials met with House Republican conservatives today to discuss ideas for offsetting the spiraling cost of hurricane relief and reconstruction. According to sources familiar with the meeting, OMB Director Bolten met with Rep. Mike Pence of Indiana, the Republican Study Committee chairman, Rep. Jeb Hensarling of Texas, who heads up the group’s budget task force, and Rep. Jeff Flake of Arizona. On Wednesday, the group unveiled spending cut options dubbed “Operation Offset,” that were quickly praised by conservative spending watchdog groups. But House Republican leaders were generally lukewarm to the plan, and administration officials did not comment. The White House meeting demonstrates the Bush administration’s concern with eroding support among conservatives because of the explosion in federal spending on its watch.

They should be concerned. I’d advise them to get in front of this issue before it’s too late.