[ndt]

"Are these four ready to take personal responsibility for the next terrorist attack that may occur as a result of not renewing the Patriot Act?"

How about the rest just agree to extend it for a few months or a year? The powers stay as they are and get reviewed again later. As long as they are needed there should be no problem getting an extension. When they are no longer needed they get pulled. Extraordinary government powers *should* a temporary thing.

[pawdoggie]

How about the rest just agree to extend it for a few months or a year?

I tend to agree. I think the Republicans are giving the Left-Wing Democrats an "out" by not agreeing to a 90 day extension. Obviously having the President mention the expiration of the Patriot act several times in various venues did not suffice insofar as "making the case with the American People" is concerned. I understand why Frist, et al, don't want to have give in to delaying actions, but they should face the fact that they were outmaneuvered and try to make lemonade out of lemons. As things stand today they could be accused of "killing" the Patriot Act through childish petulance, rather than "negotiating" with "reasonable" Democrats. They need a TV ad campaign, and they need it Pronto.

[arjay]

I would bet that all four have something they want from the President and they are essentially blackmailing him to get what they want.