[wretchard]

I don't relish the prospect of a Democrat-controlled Senate. But President Bush could (albeit with difficulty) prosecute the Afghan campaign and build up in Arabia despite the Democratically controlled Senate because he had moral authority.

What Trent Lott is asking the President to do is squander his moral authority and submit to blackmail in exchange for a slender one-vote majority. If the Republican party had 60 Senators it would have far more to lose than it does now. With 60 Senators you can really control the upper chamber, revoke treaties, appoint judges, etc. With a simple majority, nothing much is guaranteed.

I understand your point and share your disgust at having to lose (if necessary) a hard won majority. Some people fault Lott for allegedly being a "racist". Well maybe, maybe not. But if his blackmail threat is real, he is a real skunk and not the kind of person you want in the same foxhole.

[HoundsTooth_BP]

The only reason Bush could wage war was that because after 9-11 the entire nation was mad and ready for some revenge. 'Moral authority' had nothing to do with (moral authority changes depending on who you're talking to anyways).

I'd like to know how you are going to pass legislation, judges, and chair committees on 'moral authority' (besides which, where was this 'moral authority' during the Impeachment trial? Why did the Republicans let such a sham happen? If you're looking for high minded idealism it died long ago.)

Blackmail or not, it is going to work because we need him to retain control. If we lose the Senate and the Democrats sabatoge our agenda and blame us for the nations problems then we probably won't get a second shot at this in two years. Now is not the time to be taking some supposed 'moral highground' because it isn't going to accomplish anything.