MSNBC: "GOP Revolt...unease spreads to security issues"

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/

GOP unease spreads to security issues
More Republican lawmakers willing to challenge Bush

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11612274/

By Peter Baker
The Washington Post
Updated: 11:00 p.m. ET Feb. 28, 2006

The first heading on the issues page of Rep. Mark Foley's Web site brags that he is "one of President Bush's strongest supporters in Congress." The Florida Republican voted for the president's legislation 90 percent of the time, according to the Web site, "the 3rd highest ranking among the Florida delegation."

Now the Florida delegation's third-strongest Bush supporter is on the front lines of the Republican revolt against the president on the deal to turn over key operations at six U.S. ports to a United Arab Emirates company. Republicans who once marched in lock step behind their president on national security are increasingly willing to challenge him in an area considered his political strength.

The signs of GOP discontent have been building in the past few months. Dissident Republicans in Congress forced Bush to sign a measure banning torture of detainees despite his initial veto threat, blocked renewal of the USA Patriot Act until their civil liberties concerns were addressed and pressured the White House into accepting legislation on its secret eavesdropping program. By the time the port deal came to light, the uprising was no longer limited to dissidents.

"We simply want to participate and aren't going to be PR flacks when they need us," Foley said. "We all have roles. We have oversight. When you can't answer your constituents when they have legitimate questions . . . we can't simply do it on trust." The breakdown of the Republican consensus on national security both reflects and exacerbates Bush's political weakness heading toward the midterm elections, according to party strategists. Even as Republicans abandoned him last year on domestic issues such as Social Security, Hurricane Katrina relief and Harriet Miers's Supreme Court nomination, they had largely stuck by him on terrorism and other security issues.

[MADem]

1. Well, that is mighty polite!

I suppose it is a bit more politic than saying "GOP BULLSHIT STINKS TO HIGH HEAVEN--EVEN POOR BASTARDS ON THE POT IN THE OUTHOUSE CANNOT BEAR IT!"

[babylonsister]

2. I've always loved you for your subtlety!

:rofl: :hi:

[MADem]

4. I'm just a shrinking violet, ya see! n/t

[deadparrot]

3. Hold the phone...Bush sucks on national security? Color me shocked. nt

[Old and In the Way]

5. What's it take to be considered a traitor these days?

Allowing 9/11 to occur, lieing about a causus belli, wrecking the US Treasury and domestic economy, selling strategic assets to a country that we know had ties to 9/11, telling us he wants to be a dictator (3 times) .....so what am I missing?