White House effort to defuse GOP qualms on security may isolate Democrats

Knight Ridder ^ | James Kuhnhenn

[ncountylee]

WASHINGTON - Twice this week the White House gave ground on issues of national security to appease dissident Republican lawmakers, an uncharacteristic retreat for a president who believes that the best defense is a good offense.

First, the Bush administration agreed to brief the full House and Senate Intelligence Committees on its domestic surveillance program, after refusing to do so for years. Then White House officials compromised on civil-liberties concerns that had blocked renewal of the Patriot Act.

The concessions yielded mixed results. The Patriot Act is now virtually assured of passage. But some Republicans still resist the secret domestic-surveillance program and insist on new legislation to resolve questions about whether it's constitutional.

The developments show that the White House can be forced to compromise even on national security when Republicans and Democrats demand it together. But they also demonstrate that if the White House can appease GOP dissidents, Democrats run the risk of being labeled soft on national security and may have to back down.

As both parties head into the 2006 congressional elections, the White House is trying to minimize divisions within the Republican Party. Democrats, meanwhile, are walking a fine line, supporting an aggressive stance against terrorism while calling for civil liberties protections.

For example, when Republicans announced Thursday that they'd brokered a Patriot Act deal with the White House, two of the Democratic Party's leaders, Sens. Harry Reid of Nevada and Richard Durbin of Illinois, welcomed the agreement as a positive step, even though many Democrats harbored reservations about it.

But Democrats continue to insist on an investigation into the domestic-spying program - with some calling the president's actions criminal - not least because they enjoy political cover from continued resistance to the program by some Republicans.

The White House welcomes the political fight.

[bybybill]

They just can`t stop looking for the only cowpie in the pasture, and then pushing their way to be first in line to step in it with both feet.
All this nonsense about informing Congress is going to explode on Harry when the truth about leaks and who is doing it, comes out. Bet GWB already knows which Rats can`t keep a secret.

[devolve]

[nopardons]

bttt

[capt. norm]

White House effort to defuse GOP qualms on security may isolate Democrats

With a headline like that, how many "average Joes" would want to read the article? Most of the "Joe Sixpacks" that I know couldn't care less. Only political junkies (like me) would read it.

The Democratic Party and their MSM "worker bees" still haven't figured out why they are losing voters/audience/subscribers.

We are witnessing the self-destruction of a political party that is stuck in the 60's.

[Freee-dame]

But Democrats continue to insist on an investigation into the domestic-spying program

domestic? Stupid or lying? Either way, the writer should be fired.

[quantim]

First, the Bush administration agreed to brief the full House and Senate Intelligence Committees on its domestic surveillance program, after refusing to do so for years.

Why not? The Supreme Court has shifted by the consequence of elections in a representative republic.

[singfreedom]

The ones I am most angry with are the Republicans making their asinine remarks! Lindsey Graham, Darlin' Arlen, DeWine, and the Prima Donna from N.M, all need to get their heads screwed on straight! The next time Liz Dole, et al, calls me for a contribution-----boy, are they going to get an ear full!!

What's up with DeWine? He admits that the Prez needs to authorize the taps, but "it needs to be ratified by Congress"? This is supposed to be a secret program, Mr. DeWine. Where IS your mind (that's presupposing he has one)?

[indianrightwinger]

Let them keep repeating it.

The DumbocRats and the LSM will continue to looks stupid and transparently lying.

[Lion Den Dan]

When the president gave in on this issue, I believe he realized the program is compromised, therefore briefing congress will do no real harm. As good intelligence operations must, the program will continue so that the enemy can not readily determine our thoughts on the surveillance. At the same time, I darned well guarantee, President Bush has another, fully covert for now, program in place. To think the current program was the only item in the bag of tricks is naive.

[MNJohnnie]

This is just pathetic. The "Dissident Republicans" basically surrendered to the WH. The WH made some meaningless cosmetic changes so the "dissidents" could claim victory and save face. Basically all that happened is the Congress Critters grandstanded for the camera then surrendered. These morons think they should have MORE say in the WOT when they cannot even do the things they are assigned? I cannot decide which is more pathetic, the gutless grandstanding of the Congress Critters or the pathetically incorrect reporting of the Junk Journalists.

[MNJohnnie]

Say someone needs to slap the sexually confused Lindsay around the head. Trying to stuff Congresses nose into the President's Commander in Chief powers. Grahams runs around talking about "protecting Constitutional protections" Hey LG you utter MORON, you are NOT protecting the Constitution, you are trying to change it without passing an Amendment. YOU are the people shredding the Constitution Linsay. How about you moron Congress Critters actually FOCUS on your job instead of trying to jam your arrogant faces into the President Article 2 powers. Basically the Senate has demonstrated gross incompetence in doing its OWN job, the last thing it should be doing is asking for MORE power when it is incompetent with what it has.

[livius]

At the same time, I darned well guarantee, President Bush has another, fully covert for now, program in place.

I hope you're right. I'm sure you're right about the reason for "giving in" on the surveillance program, however, because so much attention to it has clearly rendered it nearly worthless in any case.

[gov_bean_ counter]

IMO, Bush ended up getting what he wanted. He positions always have a little "negotiation room" built into them. The bottom line is he is now doing exactly what he did in Texas. Get the moderate Republicans to play nice with his base and strip off just enough Democrats to close the deal. In the end the fringe Democrats come off looking like the ______ they really are.

[MNJohnnie]

Thanks GBC. Did not know that about his Texas days.

[gov_bean_ counter]

Read it and grin.

http://www.salon.com/politics/feature/2000/12/14/ethics/

[CyberAnt]

I smell a rope-a-dope!

If one word from these briefings leaks to the press - the DOJ will be all over them like fleas on a dog.