June 9, 2003

Sen Larry E Craig, Republican of Idaho, blocks 850 promotions in Air Force in effort to get four cargo planes for Idaho Air National Guard; Pentagon officials express outrage that Craig is single-handedly delaying promotions of hundreds of officers and stymying important Air Force business for handful of parochial planes; this is rare clash between senior Republican lawmaker and Pentagon, which vows not to give in to his pressure; Craig contends Air Force reneged on promise made seven years ago to station squadron of eight C-130's at Air National Guard base in Boise; his hardball tactics have angered and frustrated even some Republican colleagues like Sen John W Warner, whose Armed Services Committee approved most of promotions weeks ago; Craig is using Senate practice which allows any senator to block action indefinitely and anonymously on nomination, promotion or legislation; these secret holds are used frequently by senators of both parties, but military promotions are typically whisked through approval process without objection; photos (M)

Julia Robert's decision to move to Creative Artists Agency from International Creative Management, which has represented her since 1991, is big blow for ICM, particularly because it comes on heels of other defections, including moves by actresses Cameron Diaz and Lucy Liu to Creative Artists and by director Neil Jordan to Wlliam Morris Agency; ICM remains a top talent agency, but some Hollywood executives say it has not been same since its former co-chairman, James Wiatt, left in 1999 to head William Morris and took several agents with him; economic pressures are making talent agency business trickier than ever; photos (M)

Jon Pareles reviews Field Day Festival, 14 singers and bands performing for 11 hours at Giant Stadium, where festival had to move after being denied permission for two-day event in Calverton, LI; photos (M)

Central issue in debate over prescription drug benefits for elderly is whether private health plans can deliver better care, at lower cost, than traditional Medicare program created 38 years ago; Congress could easily add drug benefits to Medicare, but there is much more fundamental debate going on about future of Medicare and role of government; issue defines philosophical differences between Republicans and Democrats; Pres Bush, most Republicans in Congress and some Democrats are determined that Medicare must not pay for prescription drugs as it pays doctors, hospitals and other health care providers, with rigid, complex statutory formula that often bears little relation to realities of local health care markets; former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, testifying last week before Senate committee, calls Medicare obsolete and antiquated; liberal Democrats say Republicans are trying to privatize program, although some Democrats, including Sen Edward M Kennedy, indicate they will work with Republicans to pass legislation, even while fighting over details; photo (M)

Stanley Cup Analysis discusses surprising Stanley Cup finals, which looked to be uneventful after New Jersey Devils led series by two games, and has now become quite dramatic as Anaheim Mighty Ducks rallied back to win two games; teams split next two and will now play decisive Game 7; photos (M)