Leading voices in the conservative movement are demanding that the Democrat-controlled Congress restore checks and balances within the government and rein in the power of President George W. Bush.

...their point of view is consistently being drowned out by the "Anne Coulter wing" of the Republican Party, fed by the "ignorance of members of Congress about the principles of a constitutional democracy."

The [Liberty] Coalition has launched a new initiative, known as the American Freedom Agenda. The AFA's ten-point action program calls on Congress to [among other things]:

* Prohibit the detention of American citizens as enemy combatants without proof.

* Restore habeas corpus for alleged alien combatants.

* Challenge presidential signing statements.

These threats to veto are vintage Bush, pushing to see what he can extract from Dems, especially since statements from people like Obama would lead him to think opposition can easily be bulldozed if he just holds firm. I won't be surprised in the least if he makes threats to veto right up till the very last moment and then signs, adding a signing statement to try to negate restrictions on his Occupation.

it's congressional republicans.

were they to desert him, even in small numbers, it would signal the end for bush, at least for an arrogant bush.

but few congressional republican will oppose him in house or senate votes.

even the so-called moderates simply will not defy him.

why?

"the base" will take revenge in the primaries?

possibly.

but i suspect the republican congressional caucus is held together by white house black-mail.

why does arlen specter continue to play ball? remember the little story that leaked out about a staff member of his having issued lots of chits for earmarks?

and olympia snow?

and gordon smith, who is being set up to lose to a democrat next year?

and john sunnu?

politicians are normally EXTREMELY sensitive to power switches. in politics, undue loyalty or stubbornness are very destructive vices.

yet the congressional republicans do not seem to be as sensitive about their futures as one would expect.

if true, why?

again, i suggest

white house political black-mail.

in time we'll know if mine is just a crack-pot "conspiratorial" theory or not.

and just to add an even crazier note,