Interesting, I remember reading reports where Bush laid out 5 or 6 items that any CFR must, or must not, do. Of course McCain/Feingold broke every one of Bush's demands, and he signed it anyway.
The hopeful thinking at the time was that while Bush signing it was a big disappointment, the Supreme Court would throw it out.
Pres.Bush laid out things he believed CFR should do while the congressional debate was occurring, but he reiterated he would sign whatever they passed, as he had promised during his presidential campaign, stating, in effect, “I’ve already run my last campaign. This is up to you and the way it affects your constituents”. Unfortunately, he kept his word, and carried out that campaign promise.
And, yes, most people I know who looked at the result believed it would be declared unConstitutional, but unfortunately the SC ruled otherwise on the first test. I believe that if it could be brought up to them again, now, with the change in the court’s composition, it would be struck down... at least many parts of it. I look forward to the next test of that abomination as much as I have looked forward to this gun case.