Posted on 12/16/2005 7:48:16 AM PST by ncountylee
WASHINGTON — By refusing to agree to an all-out ban on the torture of terrorist suspects held in U.S. custody, President Bush in recent months was triggering political problems for his administration at home and around the world. It took the assistance of an unlikely ally — Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), a rival in the 2000 Republican primaries — to give the White House the chance to repair the damage on both fronts.
The agreement reached Thursday on legislation prohibiting the inhumane treatment of suspected terrorists in U.S. custody marked a rare capitulation by a president who campaigned for reelection based on his self-styled resolve when it came to the war on terrorism.
But it was also a recognition that, 13 months after a solid victory at the polls that seemed to put Bush's White House in position to make transformational policy changes, the president is approaching his highest priority — fighting terrorism — from a position of political weakness.
And as GOP leaders are fighting among themselves over immigration, the war in Iraq and the rebuilding of the Gulf Coast, the crucial role played by McCain only accentuated his standing as a front-runner for the party's presidential nomination in 2008.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
Typical!
Were you listening to Laura Ingraham too? ;)
No, why?
I rarely listen to her. She just mentioned this headline. She said that below it in much smaller printing was a headline about the Iraqui election.
Bataan! The breakers will simply dispose of the torture victim. Bottom line is a law or rule or regulation will not stop someone from breaking it. Lawmakers think they wield enough power that their edict is powerful enough to work within itself. If anyone would answer the question "Would you torture to save your family", in the negative, they are stupid or liars or both. This is truly a tie one hand behind your back moment. McCain is an idiot and not a wise patriot. Death sentence to caputred combatants. They will never see a prison.
Thanks and she is correct. Unbelievable priorities.
One card that McCain does not hold in 08 is my vote. We will see who holds the cards then. Prehaps he will experience some self inflicted torture.
Can't blame the President. Cheney may be a suicide bomb around Bush.
yes, but who is running to the right of McCain on this issue? Allen folded, he voted for this too. McCain had nothing to lose here, and the other republicans caved.
we have to face facts, the white house is politically weak, and could not get it done here, couldn't even get a compromise excluding the CIA.
The only thing that has folded is McCain's presidential ambitions. John McCain is too arrogant (backed up by the MSM coddling him) to see it, but his chances ended. He will never get the Conservative vote and the bite of that will run him out of the party in 2008.
Some day I got a feeling that a bunch of us on FR will be telling the rest of the nation and McCain that "We hate to say this, but we told you so!"
As long as this is a PC Nation, we'll never learn. And sadly it doesn't matter who is President now.
that scene with Bush and McCain in those chairs in the oval office is scary as hell to me - almost looks like a "passing of the torch".
regardless of his position on abortion, I will be supporting Rudy in the primaries. He would be a much more effective leader then McCain, the senate doesn't produce any leaders.
If true, maybe I'll try and unknot my panties....
Oh, puhleeze....
When it is discovered that some future deadly attack could have been averted with the application of aggressive interrogation methods it will be known as the "McCain Bill".
exactly right. that is the way its going to be handled now. if an AQ person is captured, there will be a short period of time for interrogation with extreme prejudice, and then the books will be closed on that person, before some federal judge can demand he be produced for some kind of half-a*ssed "arraignment".
You can say that again! I'm not sure which threat is greater, Al Qaeda or the United States Senate.
I would support Rudy, too, but McCain will be endorsed by the Christian right, and will "hold the cards" in the primaries.
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