I too was outraged when Daschle made his first statements against Bush. But I must admit that today, when he stated that Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge should appear before Congress and answer their questions regarding the new color coding system and the how's and why's of the process by which the Bush administration makes determinations about issuing alerts and what it expects in response to those alerts, I got to thinking that the Bush presidency is becoming a bit imperial. Congress is designed to provide a check on the power of the President, and thus far, President Bush has acted like he need not consider Congress' views at all. Additionally, the President has an affirmative duty to keep the Congress informed on matters affecting the affairs of state, which again the Bush administration is not doing. For the first time, I am seeing some honest and authentic breeches in the "do not question" wall that has thus far surrounded Bush. In the last few days, we have found out that not only did we not roll over the opposition in Afghanistan in days, but that the biggest battles are yet to be fought, and fought by American troops, but also we have stirred the entire world to think that we are contemplating a nuclear first strike. This latter position against Iraq, Iran, or Saudi Arabia, I would not mind, but against China, Russia and North Korea was a foreign policy blunder of nearly unprecedented proportions.
My point is that the Democrats are starting to develop, and I think successfully, the image of an imperial presidency that is running amok among the community of nations without the Congressional oversight required by the Constitution, especially without a declaration of war. If Daschle can start me thinking that Bush is ignoring the niceties of constitutional government, then he is surely getting the attention of the Democrats and Independents.
You've got to be joking.
But I must admit that today, when he stated that Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge should appear before Congress and answer their questions regarding the new color coding system and the how's and why's of the process by which the Bush administration makes determinations about issuing alerts and what it expects in response to those alerts, I got to thinking that the Bush presidency is becoming a bit imperial. Ridge serves as an appointed advisor to the President. He is not a Cabinet official, and thus there is no reason for him to appear before the legislative branch. It would be the same thing as if Daschle requested Karl Rove to testify. As a political matter, it makes NO sense for the Bush White House to give Daschle, Bird, Hillary! and the rest of the vultures an opportunity to attack Bush indirectly when the public opinion won't allow the same attacks to be made directly on Bush.
As a final note, Ridge is a northeastern liberal GOP weasel of the same cloth as Jeffords. I wouldn't have that clown represent the administration's position on the time of day, let alone testify before Congress.