I was disappointed on CFR as well. I thought he would veto it. However, I have thought about this a lot. If he had vetoed, I think there is a good chance it would have been overridden, given the climate with Enron and the timidity of many of the Senate Republicans, who cannot bear to have the media fussing at them.
Well, since we seem to agree that cowardice among Senate Republicans is a problem in our party, who better to lead the counteroffensive than a war-time President at over 80% (at the time) in the polls?
Do you really think he wouldn't have gotten 34 votes?
I think it quite likely. My own Senator, Lugar, voted for it, despite a heavy call in organized by central Indiana talk radio. The Indianapolis paper was really pushing it, as was local television and the networks.
It isn't that most of the general public cared about it one way or the other; it is the MEDIA that they are afraid of. That is a hard nut to crack.
The thing is, I think he realizes he can only make so many stands and the big one, war with Iraq, is comming. The dems are going to be dragged kicking and screaming to vote on that, and he needs all his capital for that battle.
He might have been able to veto and get it held, but I think the cost was too high....lookung at what else is coming.
My opinion only, of course. Unlike many here, I do not KNOW what the President is thinking.