Yet Mr. Rumsfeld spent little time on terrorism issues, aides said in interviews.
His decision to work in China is part of a new strategy of engagement, particularly around environmental issues, aides said.
The two men covered a variety of issues, aides to both said, including how Mr. Clinton could help in the fall campaign.
On particular issues, aides said the administration would court members like Mr. Miller, who may disagree with much of the Bush agenda but backs him on educational standards.
And after the younger Mr. Biden worked at the Commerce Department on electronic commerce issues from 1998 to 2001, MBNA hired him back on a monthly consulting contract to advise it on such issues, aides said.
She also plans to take up national service as an issue, aides say.
A few hours after the statement was issued, aides to Ms. Maloney let it be known she would not attend, citing a family commitment in Virginia.
The chairmen of the Congressional tax committees — Representative Dave Camp, Republican of Michigan, and Senator Max Baucus, Democrat of Montana — are on the deficit committee and have been discussing the issue, aides say.
After a meeting on Saturday between Mr. Karzai, General Allen and Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker of the United States to discuss the issue, aides to Mr. Karzai released a statement saying that General Allen had pledged to halt attacks altogether on residential areas and homes.
In Congress, Mr. Hutchinson, a member of the House Judiciary Committee, has shown an interest in drug issues, an aide to Mr. Hutchinson said.
