Anonymous Liberal details just how swiss-cheesy the administration's arguments in defense of the NSA spying are. So, what AL wonders, "is the Bush administration's long term strategy here?":
Why bluff so aggressively? [G]iven the weakness of its legal position, you would expect the administration to be making some attempt to mitigate the long term fallout of this scandal, perhaps by attempting to moot the issue by seeking congressional authorization for the program. Sure, the administration would take some lumps in the short term by implicitly admitting that it overstepped its authority, but better that than a stinging judicial rebuke down the road.
Answer: They know they're going to lose in court; they are just trying to keep the public on the side on the meantime to avoid the Armageddon scenario: having the Dems gain control of Congress, after which the subpoenas would start flying.
Yeah.
It is likely that and a bit more.
Today's GOP is a flimsy confederation. It rarely looks like one but it is one.
Case in point, Norquist the Reducer and Barr the Libertarian oppose the NSA actions. As it stands now, even with a push from the Golden Pol, John McCain, those defections won't amount to too much as other issues can be brought into the forefront to appease the faint-hearted ( erm...tax cuts, anyone?).
If the Democrats do get the House (where impeachments begin) then the defectors from the confederation have greater say in the public opinion arena. Basically, the Libertarian Republicans would have power and are less likely to be dismissed or effectively placated. Note they've had little say in in keeping the gov out of lives since mid '01.
Remember, Dick Armey and Bob Barr--among others-- played roles in preventing Al Gore's early '00 blue ribbon panel proposal to tighten airport security from gaining support or debate?
Furthermore, on the program itself: allegedly, since Clinton was in office the UN has been spied upon. Knowledge of the particulars won't just "abett" the evildoers; the particulars could potentially alienate allies, opposition parties, Quakers, etc.
But seriously, the question is how far reaching is the program?
The scope and the targetted uses of the program are what will rile non-threats of all kinds.
Posted by: ! | January 31, 2006 at 01:23 AM