"I'm only saying that may not meet the probable-cause standard. And if that's the case, then the Carter-era EO doesn't provide a precedent for this program,"
So, DO you think he broke the law?
To be honest, I don't even know for sure what exactly he did. If Kristol and Schmitt accurately describe the situation, then it certainly went against FISA. And I don't agree with the notion that the President's "inherent" constitutional powers shield him from acts of Congress. But apparently, the courts seem to have ruled otherwise, at least according to what some freepers have posted. I'd have to look at those rulings myself, though, to see exactly what kind of latitude they purport to give him. But my gut feeling is that his actions were illegal.
Even that doesn't necessarily mean, though, that he shouldn't have done it. Sometimes there are situations where even the law has to be set aside, as long as you're willing to accept the consequences. I don't know enough about what happened (given that most of it is classified) to really pass judgment for sure.