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Republicans Begin to Abandon the President's Ship

By TChris, Section Other Politics
Posted on Wed Feb 08, 2006 at 08:43:45 AM EST
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by TChris

Despite Karl Rove's threats, some Republicans are finding the courage to criticize the president's illegal, warrantless eavesdropping on American citizens.

[Representative Heather Wilson] whose subcommittee oversees the National Security Agency broke ranks with the White House on Tuesday and called for a full Congressional inquiry into the Bush administration's domestic eavesdropping program.

Will Rove swift-boat Wilson with accusations that she's soft on terror? As "a former Air Force officer who is the only female veteran currently in Congress," she isn't an easy target. Perhaps she'll provide cover for other Republicans who believe that a president (even if Republican) isn't above the law.

Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, for one, said he considered some of the administration's legal justifications for the program "dangerous" in their implications, and he told Mr. Gonzales that he wanted to work on new legislation that would help those tracking terrorism "know what they can and can't do."

Of course, some Republicans will be motivated by a fear of losing voter support if they place loyalty to the president above loyalty to constituents who believe the president should follow the law. Whether motivated by respect for the law or fear of losing a reelection battle, more Republicans are likely to risk the wrath of Rove as the public's concern about the president's illegal behavior becomes more acute.

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    • Republicans Begin to Abandon the President's Ship | 17 comments (17 topical)
    Re: Republicans Begin to Abandon the President's S (none / 0) (#1)
    by Edger on Wed Feb 08, 2006 at 09:18:24 AM EST
    So there really are some republicans are not as dumb as I look, apparently. That's a good thing...

    Re: Republicans Begin to Abandon the President's S (none / 0) (#2)
    by Slado on Wed Feb 08, 2006 at 09:34:31 AM EST
    Wishful thinking TL. President Bush is hammering the democrats on this program and a few republicans who are simply wrong won't make a difference. The dems should abandon this issue as fast as they can. Or keep it up because I like republican government.

    Re: Republicans Begin to Abandon the President's S (none / 0) (#3)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Wed Feb 08, 2006 at 09:40:10 AM EST
    Let the swift-boating begin. But seriously, I don't believe this thug either.

    Re: Republicans Begin to Abandon the President's S (none / 0) (#4)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Wed Feb 08, 2006 at 09:49:43 AM EST
    ...a few republicans who are simply wrong...
    Slado, I have stated before that the legality of the NSA's domestic spy program (warrantless electronic communication interception of US citizens) has yet to be judicially decided because of the domestic component. Perhaps you can explain to everyone why you think the Republicans who question the legality of this program are wrong.

    Re: Republicans Begin to Abandon the President's S (none / 0) (#5)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Wed Feb 08, 2006 at 10:08:37 AM EST
    Perhaps you can explain to everyone why you think the Republicans who question the legality of this program are wrong. Slado?? That would at least make for a more interesting read than advice to Democrat strategists from someone who doesn't want them to succeed.

    Re: Republicans Begin to Abandon the President's S (none / 0) (#6)
    by Slado on Wed Feb 08, 2006 at 10:22:13 AM EST
    Fair questions. First I think the president was given the authority to spy on our enemies since he was also given the authority to bomb and capture them. Since these communications start or end with a suspected enemy of this country he can monitor those calls. If he violates that standard and spies on say this blog then he's in violation but I don't think he's doing that. But since I'm not an ideologue I can see someone having another point of veiw on this subject even though in my personol opinion they are wrong. Clear enough?

    Re: Republicans Begin to Abandon the President's S (none / 0) (#7)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Wed Feb 08, 2006 at 10:27:23 AM EST
    Clear enough? sure, the talking points. Absurd, but clearly so. Totally preferable to your strategic advice to Dems comments.

    Re: Republicans Begin to Abandon the President's S (none / 0) (#8)
    by Slado on Wed Feb 08, 2006 at 10:36:18 AM EST
    Talking points? So if someone disagrees with you they are talking points and your point of veiw is enlightened? Weak.

    Re: Republicans Begin to Abandon the President's S (none / 0) (#9)
    by Edger on Wed Feb 08, 2006 at 10:42:42 AM EST
    If he violates that standard and spies on say this blog then he's in violation but I don't think he's doing that. Really? I would imagine bushco and the repuplicans read this blog, and others, every day. and it would not surprise me at all if someone in the NSA is driftnetting the IP addresses of the posters here and on other blogs. No more surpising than monitoring and filming subversive vegans.

    Re: Republicans Begin to Abandon the President's S (none / 0) (#10)
    by roy on Wed Feb 08, 2006 at 10:48:16 AM EST
    I hope Bush donated, if he's sucking up that much bandwidth.

    Re: Republicans Begin to Abandon the President's S (none / 0) (#11)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Wed Feb 08, 2006 at 10:50:32 AM EST
    First I think the president was given the authority to spy on our enemies since he was also given the authority to bomb and capture them.
    Congress never passed a formal declaration of war against our "enemies" (Article I. Section 8. of the US Constitution). Congress did approve a "Use of Force" resolution, however, this falls short of a formal declaration of war. The so called "authority" you speak of is highly questionable from a legal standpoint.
    Since these communications start or end with a suspected enemy of this country he can monitor those calls.
    Again, the problem with your logic is these communications involve US citizens who are protected under the 4th amendment. Once again I will state that warrantless electronic communication interception of US citizens, for national security purposes, has not been judicially decided. Read my Findlaw link. All relevant caselaw is referenced in the Warrantless ''National Security'' Electronic Surveillance section.
    But since I'm not an ideologue I can see someone having another point of veiw on this subject even though in my personol opinion they are wrong.
    Interesting... I am arguing from a legal point of view, not an ideological point of view.

    Re: Republicans Begin to Abandon the President's S (none / 0) (#12)
    by Edger on Wed Feb 08, 2006 at 10:52:54 AM EST
    Roy, you ever find the site slow to load? Look out your window... Wave to the guy with the cheap sunglasses hanging from the phone pole ;-)

    Re: Republicans Begin to Abandon the President's S (none / 0) (#13)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Wed Feb 08, 2006 at 11:06:47 AM EST
    they're not talking points because I disagree with them, they're talking points because they're an automatic repetition of a message that has been determined strategically by party leadership for the purpose of coherent message making. The fact that these are absurd is another issue.

    Re: Republicans Begin to Abandon the President's S (none / 0) (#14)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Wed Feb 08, 2006 at 11:53:29 AM EST
    So if Republican "dissenters" are courageous, what does that make Joe Lieberman?

    Re: Republicans Begin to Abandon the President's S (none / 0) (#15)
    by squeaky on Wed Feb 08, 2006 at 11:56:01 AM EST
    JR-no longer a senator, or at least a democratic one. He is definitely out next election.

    Re: Republicans Begin to Abandon the President's S (none / 0) (#16)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Wed Feb 08, 2006 at 04:23:17 PM EST
    First I think the president was given the authority to spy on our enemies since he was also given the authority to bomb and capture them.
    I can't wait until the government finds an Al Qaeda cell sharing an apartment in some urban area, 30 seconds from scattering to the four corners. Then the military can send in a missile, blow up half the block and kill 20 innocent civilians. This surely would all be seen by the American public as justified under the President's authority to bomb our enemy.

    Re: Republicans Begin to Abandon the President's S (none / 0) (#17)
    by Che's Lounge on Thu Feb 09, 2006 at 09:35:05 AM EST
    So if Republican "dissenters" are courageous, what does that make Joe Lieberman?\ Bush's fluffer.

    Republicans Begin to Abandon the President's Ship | 17 comments (17 topical)