Democrats To Widen Conflict With Bush (16 Veto Threats Issued)

Washington Post ^ | April 2, 2007 | Jonathan Weisman

[RWR8189]

Even as their confrontation with President Bush over Iraq escalates, emboldened congressional Democrats are challenging the White House on a range of issues -- such as unionization of airport security workers and the loosening of presidential secrecy orders -- with even more dramatic showdowns coming soon.

For his part, Bush, who also finds himself under assault for the firing of eight U.S. attorneys, the conduct of the Iraq war and alleged abuses in government surveillance by the FBI, is holding firm. Though he has vetoed only one piece of legislation since taking office, he has vowed to veto 16 bills that have passed either the House or Senate in the three months since Democrats took control of Congress.

Despite the threats, Democratic lawmakers expect to open new fronts against the president when they return from their spring recess, including politically risky efforts to quickly close the prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; reinstate legal rights for terrorism suspects; and rein in what Democrats see as unwarranted encroachments on privacy and civil liberties allowed by the USA Patriot Act.

"I suppose there's always a risk of going too far," said House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (D-Md.), "but the risk of not going is far greater."

Backed by a unified party and fresh from a slew of legislative victories, Democratic leaders appear to believe there is hardly any territory they cannot stray onto, a development that has Republican political operatives gleeful and some Democrats worried. Rep. Tom Cole (Okla.), chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, warned of a "political price" at the polls: "If they let their constituents and their ideology drive them past the point where the American people are comfortable, they will find how quickly the voters will react."

[gov_bean_ counter]

Unified party my a$$. There are a bunch of blue dog Dems who will have their say before all is said and done.

[geo40xyz]

come democRATs:

Close down the Government

[Tarpon]

Washington Post ... LOL

Ask Peloser where the Jewish vote went after her meeting with the chinless dictator of the satellite terrorist state of Iran, Syria. One thing about Israelis, they understood when I-am-a-ding-dong said he would annihilate Israel. Thinking isn't a strong suit when you are consumed with hate.

[Logical me]

As previously stated, we are at civil war. The unconstitutional un-American party is he!! bend on destroying America.

[cubreporter]

They are pushing, pushing, pushing. President Bush, PLEASE push back, will ya? You are on your last term. You have nothing to lose. Rattle their chains, do what you know is right. They push...you push harder.

[RKB-AFG]

Bush has only vetoed one bill in his presidency. He has some making up to do.

[Txsleuth]

Mo1 always says the dems overreach.....

It sure sounds like they are.

One thing that wasn't mentioned here that is also going to be coming for a vote..that Pres. Bush has vowed to veto is the federal funding of embryonic stem cell research.

That could be tricky also...because it will be a bipartisan bill....but, he promised he would.

I hope he just sits down one day with his "stack of stuff"..pulls out a few dozen pens...and vetos every single piece of legislation that is put in front of him.

Acutally, that is probably all he will have time for..since I am sure the impeachment proceedings will be starting soon as well...

[Unam Sanctam]

Thanks to all those ever so pure conservatives who wanted to "teach the Republicans a lesson" in the last election. You sure got what you wished for...

[MHGinTN]

Don't count on it ... democrats are dishonest and self-serving scum in the main, even those presumed 'blue dogs'. The blue dogs are on a leftist leash.

[Enterprise]

"I'm going to squash so many bills from those gangsters that they will start calling me VETO CORLEONE."

[RobbyS]

We will see if they do indeed exist. I have my doubts.

[gov_bean_ counter]

I hope the lot of them are getting an earful this recess.

[Txsleuth]

I hate to say this...but I think those "blue dogs" that were elected last year...LIED.

I think they are progressives pretending to be blue dogs.

[kcvl]

For his part, Bush, who also finds himself under assault for the firing of eight U.S. attorneys by the LEFT WING OLD MEDIA who thought it was just fine for Bill Clinton to FIRE ALL OF THEM when he became President.

[kcvl]

Democrats to reinstate legal rights for terrorism suspects

[pollyannaish]

Once again, he saves his ammunition for when he REALLY needs it. Or in this case his ink.

There are many tense months ahead.

[gov_bean_ counter]

You know, you are probably right. My posting is perhaps the wishful thinking that comes with having just one too many glasses of wine.

Good night.

[kcvl]

I hate to say this...but I think those "blue dogs" that were elected last year...LIED.

Two of them from Arkansas!

[Gritty]

There are a bunch of blue dog Dems who will have their say before all is said and done.

*snort*

I have one of those elected in my district (Heath Schuler). He ran on God, Guns and Honesty In Government. So far, he has meekly toed the Party line and supported Pelosi in everything important. I expect nothing different in the future.

Oh, yeah. He was a famous quarterback somewhere. That's a great reason top elect somebody and give him the keys to the country.

Most of these "Blue Dog" Democrats are as red as the rest of them. "Lap Dog" Democrats would be a better term.