I read quite a few thread where the exchanges are way-too "food-fight" for my thoughts to contribute much.
I don't generally disagree with your observations in your first paragraph. However they don't negate the fact that he stated a wish for reform on this issue prior to his first election and immediately thereafter and then in the wake of 9/11 neither took action on the issue by execution in any forceful manner or by introducing a program.
Instead, he let it twist in the wind until it became a media "crisis" that he couldn't avoid.
I guess I need your observations next.
That he did. But that may have to do with his other problems. I believe his administration oversold the Iraq war so badly that he's really crippled at this point, and he's doubly hurt by that because at the same time, he asserted executive power to Jacksonian proportions, so now, completely neutered, here comes the Congress to give him his due. I've said before, none of the branches care very much about encroaching on the people's rights, but they are very jealous of their own prerogatives, and will fight hard against encroachment by the other branches. Constitutional battles rarely center on the gubmint vs. the people. It's usually one branch vs. another, and I think this is no exception. Arlen Specter, for example, is an absolute tiger when it comes to protecting the rights of the Senate.
PS-- i didn't think anyone read my stupid posts anymore. i feel like i'm sort of all over the map. depends on mood, and whether or not i've had my meds :-P