White House keeps focus on tax cuts this week, but Afghanistan review looms

It will be hard to top President Obama's full-court push for his tax-cuts framework the White House rolled out last week.

But until there is a deal, the White House remains focused on getting the package, despised by Democrats, passed.

Last week's push included a press conference, seemingly endless endorsements from elected officials across the country and a surprise visit to the White House briefing room from former President Clinton.

The president made calls to lawmakers over the weekend, and he will continue to lobby individual members this week, an administration official said.

But the year-end review of the president's strategy in Afghanistan is also coming due, and Obama will likely spend much of the week learning what parts of his war strategy are working and what parts aren't.

The review comes as his special envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan, Richard Holbrooke, is in critical condition after emergency surgery Friday for a torn aorta.

The administration appears to have the votes necessary to pass the New START treaty when it comes to the floor, presumably after a tax-cuts package is passed.

Obama's schedule for the week is largely in flux as officials wait to see what the Senate does with the Bush tax cuts, START and the possible repeal of "Don't ask, don't tell" as a standalone bill.

The president will hold a service event with NBA champions the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday, and on Wednesday he has invited a group of CEOs to the Blair House for a summit with business leaders.