I may be naive, but I still cling to the belief that the fear of being kicked out of office by angry constituants will trump whatever pressure GWB puts on the Congress.
Perhaps you’re right.
If this bill passes I guarantee you this much. Many posting in this forum cursing the very ones who vote for it in the GOP will be their biggest supporters come election 2008. Why they can even let a Perjurer In Chief have a Not Guilty vote and still be the party hero after a few years. Take down the names and watch. They will insist everyone forgive and forget for the sake of their precious beloved GOP. It doesn't matter how pathetic the congressman or senator is to some just so they are a Republican.
Hillary Clinton could change parties tomorrow and such as these would vote her in because she can win for the party they would say. It's not about idea's, principles, or even right and wrong to them, it's all about the party.
That type of thinking and voting is why both houses and our POTUS are running roughshod over We The People. They know people will forgive them and the sooner they pass this bill the more time there is to forget from now till election time. Our elected have lost all fear of the voters wrath thanks in part to the straight party ticket voters who vote for someone no matter how horrible and undeserving they are because of the party. The elected know they won't be punished by many.
Of course the typical GOP media apologist show host will be on radio and tv as well saying these poor public servants had no choice. We all know their names by now.
You're not naive but the elected office holders in DC lost their fear of the voter wrath over a decade ago. We would as a nation been much better off had a weak DEM won POTUS in 2000 like Lieberman. Not many could understand that but here is the reason. Bush has managed from his early days on split the GOP in half and has consistently worked against the Conservatives using liberals like John McCain to do his dirty work for him pushing bills for the DEMs. Teddy couldn't have gotten a better DEM even if Gore had won because the GOP would have stood up to Gore.
The GOP is worse circumstances than a minority they are a split minority actually two different parties within the GOP with a few true conservatives taking the hard stands on issues. Ironically they are also the ones people seem to be the angriest at.