Posted on 02/11/2006 4:53:12 PM PST by Indy Pendance
CAMBRIDGE, Md., Feb 10 (Reuters) - President George W. Bush was closely questioned by fellow Republicans on his policy on Iran, health care, immigration and other hot-button issues on Friday at a closed meeting meant to party members for this year's congressional elections.
Sources at a retreat of the scandal-rocked Republicans in the House of Representatives said Bush drew an ovation when he defended his program to eavesdrop without court warrants on Americans with suspected terrorist ties, a program that has been questioned by both Democrats and some Republicans.
But the sources, who asked not to be named as the meeting was formally closed, said lawmakers, anxious over polls showing waning faith in them and the president, pressed him on issues that could be critical in the November elections.
Many members of the president's party have voiced concerns about the $2.77 trillion federal budget that Bush proposed this week, which would boost defense spending but bring cuts in 141 domestic programs, from veterans health care to housing.
In brief opening remarks, which were public, Bush cited what he said had been major House accomplishments in 2006, including passage of bills on energy, bankruptcy, immigration and the anti-terrorism USA Patriot Act.
"And we're ready to lead again," Bush told the second day of a three-day meeting of House Republicans in Cambridge, Md., a two-hour bus ride from Washington. "We don't fear the future because we're going to shape the future."
Many senior lawmakers have been drawn into an investigation of powerful Republican lobbyist Jack Abramoff, who last month pleaded guilty to fraud and agreed to cooperate with investigators.
Many political analysts say the fall-out from the scandal, as well as public dissatisfaction over the Iraq, could threaten the party's control of the House, which it has held since 1995.
Bush again asserted that the domestic surveillance program was legal, and he drew support from House Speaker Dennis Hastert, who told reporters, "There are adequate protections."
"If somebody in this country, whether he is a foreign national or a citizen, is talking to al Qaeda somebody ought to know about it and know why it is happening," Hastert said.
House Republicans described their retreat as a chance to regroup and discuss their emerging legislative agenda, which they say will include lobbying and ethics reform.
The retreat was to end on Saturday after members and staff attend a seminar on the House's ethics rules. "I think it'll help ensure that members and staff live up to those rules," said House Majority Leader John Boehner of Ohio.
Boehner was elected House majority leader last week, replacing Rep. Tom DeLay, who was forced to step down from the leadership post last year after being indicted in his home state of Texas on campaign-related felony charges.
BBAAAAAAAAAAAWWWAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
Dream on ratmedia.
The other adjectives aren't working.
I'll bet one of those "sources" was Chris Shays.
"scandal-rocked Republicans"
??????who??????
Wheres the barf alert?
It's reuters, 'nuf said.
Is there any news media that isn't a wholly owned subsidiary of the Democratic Party?
I've basically given up even on Fox; their idea of "fair and balanced" is to give a platform for rubbish while someone else shouts them down.
Here's a clue for anyone paying attention. There is a niche market for objective reporting. As good as Rush is, as good as FR is, they exist basically in response to an absolute vacuum when it comes to honest, factual, clear-minded information media.
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!
Who is scandal rocked? Did I miss the part where George and Laura had FBI files in the white house? Or the part where a Bush relative drove an innocent young lady to her death in a body of water while drinking?
No? hmmmm. No rocking here.
Don't forget Ron Brown and Vince Foster, the list is endless.
I have two words for the dim POS author of this rooters tripe. These two words will grow to strike fear in the heart of demons. HARRY REID!
LLS
I echo your
BBAAAAAAAAAAAWWWAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!
Scandal-rocking seems to exist only in the imaginations of scandal-rocked Democrats in Washington, D.C., and nowhere else.
Dear Scandal Rocked Democrats:
I fart in your direction.
Many political analysts say the fall-out from the scandal, as well as public dissatisfaction over the Iraq, could threaten the party's control of the House, which it has held since 1995.
Gasp! What if this were true?? LOL
But, it's their platform. It's all they have.
The MD senate seat is one we really could utilize after Nov.Michael Steele
It must really suck to be a rat. They've lost almost all their power. They lost the fight against Alito and looked like jerks in the process. They lost their fight against the Patriot Act. The have now abandoned their attack against wiretaping terrorists.
Guess what is coming up? Saddam's execution and an investigation into which rat Senator leaked the wiretapping story. YEEEEEEAAAARGGGGGHHHHHH!!!
If I was a rat I'd be pretty PO'd by the representation I was getting from the rat party. Their dreams of regaining power in Nov are going to be dashed by a strong economy.
I can't wait to see the fringe kook they pick in 08. I bet it's Dean.
Nice rant! I couldn't agree more. Let them keep raging on. They're only losing whatever ounce of credibility they've once had.
You might be interested in this.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1576849/posts
Or nonexistent. It is easy to make things up and attribute them to unnamed sources.
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