Republicans Begin to Abandon the President's Ship
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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