Republicans Quietly Rebel on NSA

by DemFromCT

Few things are more interesting than watching the Republican-cheerleading media (who declared NSA a 'win' for Bush a few short weeks ago) have to eat their words.

Republican Speaks Up, Leading Others To Question Wiretaps

When Representative Heather A. Wilson broke ranks with President Bush on Tuesday to declare her "serious concerns" about domestic eavesdropping, she gave voice to what some fellow Republicans were thinking, if not saying.

Now they are speaking up — and growing louder.

Bush Promises To Answer Hill Questions

President Bush told House Republicans on Friday that administration officials would soon brief members of the House intelligence committee about the National Security Agency’s domestic surveillance program.

Bowing to political pressure from within Republican ranks, the administration held a similar briefing for members of the Senate intelligence committee earlier this week.

Baltimore Chronicle's legal analysis by the ACLU (good choice!).

Conservatives Divided On Some Bush Policies

Barely more than a year after celebrating a big U.S. election win, frustrated conservative activists gathered on Thursday in sometimes open revolt over Bush administration policies on immigration, spending and domestic eavesdropping.

The first day of the annual Conservative Political Action Conference featured sharp disputes on immigration policy and criticism of the expanding federal budget, growing entitlement programs like Medicare and Social Security and threats to individual privacy rights.

Naturally, this will be declared proof that Democrats can't protect Americans. But Mehlman doesn't control this story anymore Too bad, huh?

Comments

[David]

That looks like the Baltimore Chronicle, not the Baltimore Sun.

[DemFromCT]

oops, you're right. The Sun had a generic Repubs question Bush. I'll fix, thanks.

[David]

I've lived in Baltimore for years and have never even HEARD of the Chronicle. Looks like it might be a good paper, if only based on that ACLU article.

[Mimikatz]

One of the main points Michael Brown made in his testimony Friday was that the Bush Admin's concentration on terrorism to the exclusion of natural disasters contributed to the poor response to Katrina. This is true of other things as well--such as shredding the safety net to pay for the war in Iraq and tax cuts (although they would have found other excuses). The Dems might try a counteroffensive about some of the things the Republicans can't protect you from--everything from mine safety to air pollution to the high cost of health care and retirement security. This would have to be done vry carefully, but there is such a disconnect between GOP paternalism and overkill on terrorism and insouciance on the things which actually threaten and kill Americans day in and day out.

[DemFromCT]

Policy has consequences, Mimikatz. it's about time Bush and Co were held accountable for their policy decisions. Along with their political cronyism, and 'minding' of scientists by Young Republican types and bubble crowds for Bush appearances and...

[DHinMI]

One reason the Repubs are keeping their criticism of the NSA spying quiet is that the Repubs--or at least the WH--are indicating that they want to run this Fall on another issue package of fear, fear and fear; i.e., terrorism. Since the NSA stuff would probably figure in to that narrative, I'm sure the WH doesn't want the criticism of the NSA stuff too pointed or amplified.

[John Casper]

MimiKatz, I have great respect for all your comments and posts. "This would have to be done very carefully, but there is such a disconnect between GOP paternalism and overkill on terrorism and insouciance on the things which actually threaten and kill Americans day in and day out." While I think there is great wisdom in your comment, imo the polls leading into midterms reveal that the electorate is not "there" yet. IMO wrt illegal spying, the Dems have a chance to integrate some form of data mining and other tactics into current FISA legislation. I am sorry to admit it, but there are legitimate question that need to be explored about data mining techniques as they relate to domestic security. The WH's very, very serious error was moving in secret and illegally. As long as there is real oversight from the Congressional and the Judicial branches, traceability, and answeres about how the data is stored securely (along with other questions) I think most Americans want some form of pro-active data mining. I am not defending that, I just think it is an electoral reality. If the Dems don't overreach on NSA gate, (hold the WH criminally responsible for breaking the FISA law is no small accomplishment) they are much better positioned to attack hard on "secret prisons," Bush's policy in the Middle East, pre war intelligence, K Street, and all the others. When Clinton left office, oil was around $25 a barrel. Now it is at $68 and Bush is threatening Iran. These are GOP errors that imo Dems can exploit to take back both houses at midterms.

[John Casper]

"Since the NSA stuff would probably figure in to that narrative, I'm sure the WH doesn't want the criticism of the NSA stuff too pointed or amplified."
Maybe I misread your comment? Tweety didn't agree with you a few weeks ago. According to him the Rethugs wanted to bash Dems with NSA gate. The "old-news" that has resurfaced courtesy of Scooter's motions (that Dick "fuck you" Cheney told Scooter to leak Plame's name) has changed all that. emptywheel nailed this in her post about Waas'latest. Scooter's defense was split between saving his sorry ass and helping the WH. I don't think there's a split anymore, but Scooter's going to have a tougher time raising money. Also rNovak has an article out today about Frist "distancing" himself from the WH for his )08 run. IMO this is bull, the Rethugs are distancing themselves from NSA gate for midterms.

[DHinMI]

Criticism of NSA by Republicans, because that would complicate their bashing of Dems, which you're correct to suggest the WH would like to do.