I think Bush/Rove pushed Specter to have hearings on censure

[adigal]

Something doesn't smell right to me. Specter is always the lap dog of the Bush family, but he is smart enough to be the lap dog in a roundabout way. Here's what I think.

Remember - in Bush's press conference, when asked about the censure, he said he would be happy to debate the Democrats on national security, implying that asking him to follow the law will harm the nation. I think he and Rove are doing just that in Specter's push for a hearing about censure.

They expect the Democrats to all vote "No" and to put egg on the face of Russ Feingold - thus shortcircuiting him, in their estimation.

What they do not understand is that Russ Feingold is doing this because he feels it is wrong - the BushCo's have no principles, so they don't understand what a principled stand means.

Feingold is not going to go away.

[redirish28]

1. I don't think it is like that. Spector and the Administration don't see

eye to eye on a lot of things. I think Spector is having this hearing just too get it out of the way and perhaps to see how divided the Republican party just is. He is probably hoping it will go no further than the hearing and not into the senate.

[HereSince1628]

2. Clearly the idea is to cut the primary feathers of Feingold...

I think it's more than likely that Specter heard a clear signal from the democrats on the committee that they were ready to let the R's try to take Russ down a notch.

I don't really think Bush/Rove had 2 cents worth of input. This has all the standard features of a democratic circular firing squad.

[adigal]

15. Yup, that is what I smell too

That is why I said that Russ Feingold would have egg on his face. Specter knows that the Dems will not have the balls to do the right thing.

[liberalpress]

3. If Feingold is as smart as I think he is...

... he wins either way. There's a haring an censure, the rest of Dems all vote no, and Feingold can claim he was the lone vote of sanity, and make some hay with the growing number of people disgusted with Bush.

The hearing idea gets shot down, Feingold can claim his call for what amounts to nothing but "A stern talking to" for the President" was rejected making him the lone vote of sanity, and make some hay with the growing number of people disgusted with Bush.

[asjr]

4. I think you're correct. It may backfire though.

The outcome of the "hearings" will tell us just how much the Republicans still stick with Bush. I do not trust Sen. Specter at all. He and John McCain are one and the same--always holding a finger up to see which way the wind is blowing. I do wish someday to see a politician actually working for me. Working to do what is right for the people of this country.

[madokie]

11. Russ is now, John Conyers too, actually several are

[Poppyseedman]

5. I am amazed everyday people can't figure this out.

This is a real simple deal.

Bush wants to debate the democrats on national security for one simple reason.

Bush wants to tell the American people that democrats have a problem letting the government listen to terrorist talking to Americans

Bush will tell the American people "if it was illegal, shut it down"

That isn't going to happen. Case closed.


bush wins. In our zeal to bring bush down, we keep forgetting some basic things. People expect their government to protect them, even if it crosses the line of legality

[mazzarro]

7. If I May Ask?

What is it about following the FISA law as it was written that you and repugnicans fail to understand? The issue is not whether it was legal or not but "why did he not follow the law"? Dems have been lazy in allowing the repugs to re frame the whole issue and you, unfortunately, have been an aide to repugs in spouting their talking points - IMHO.
Yes let Specter do his normal whitewashing job; I hope that Russ Feingold is able to show how devious Specter is in the process.

[Poppyseedman]

14. I do not fail to understand anything about the FISA law.

Do you really think this is about bush following the law or not?

If you do, it's about time to open your eyes and see that this is going to be whitewashed for one simple reason.

Our government has been not been "following the law" concerning domestic spying for years. Go back as far as you want, Democratic, rethug administrations have been illegally spying on us for years.

That little fact will not be allowed to see the light of day. This administration will blow the lid off it, if need be.

That dirty little secret is laying around DC ready to be exposed if the right people start taking too much heat.

That my friend is the freaking reality. No talking points, but the truth.

You asked.

[bpilgrim]

10. i don't get it either, by not debating these issues we will ALWAYS lose.

if we won't even argue for our system of laws we have lost everything

peace

[Catrina]

12. Except for one thing. This 'program' began before 9/11 and if the

hearings have witnesses, one of them needs to be Ashcroft, who refused to cooperate with the Domestic spying program. Other DOJ officials, ie, Comey, Assistant DA, another Bush nominee, also refused, along with several others, some of whom quit. They were supposed to testify at the hearings that the Republicans blocked.

Why would staunch supporters of Bush, ie Ashcroft, be too afraid to support this program if monitoring terrorists was all it was about? Apparently because it was so illegal even they were frightened of being prosecuted were they to officially approve it.

Republicans are terrified of the truth regarding this spying program ~ the truth will come out, it's only a matter of time ~ even if not at this hearing.

Feingold is right to keep the pressure on something that Bush et al are so sensitive about.

People DO want their government to protect them. Most Americans now realize this has not happened under Bush. All Dems have to do is point to Katrina and 9/11 ~ and keep doing it. Bodies are still being recovered in NO. Even AFTER a disaster this administration has failed to show respect for US citizens who died in the tragedy ~

For Dems, if they have guts, this is a winning issue. Even Republicans I know do not want their doors kicked in without a warrant or some probably cause. I don't know why Democrats are so silent on this. Unless the program itself has unearthed some embarrassing info on them. If that's the case, it's proof that Bush was spying on his political rivals. They should put their country first and step down if necessary in order to stop this fascism in its tracks.

[adigal]

16. That is what I said above too -

Bush wants this argument, so he may even push Specter for it.

The Dems won't support Russ Feingold and define the argument for the American people, so Russ looks like he is way out in left field, and the Dems look weak again.

[Ufomammut]

6. I believe it was Specter who posited the "magic bullet" theory

Sold by the Warren Commission. IMO, nuff said about Specter's credibility.

[Divernan]

8. and he treated Anita Hill like dirt at the Clarence Thomas hearings

for confirmation to the USSC.

[bpilgrim]

9. of course, the sooner they get this off the table the better

the longer we can talk about this the better

of course this is only the first shot... there will be many more to follow ;->

peace

[C_U_L8R]

13. It's not a matter of debate - grrrrrrrr

It's a matter of BREAKING THE LAW !!!

Bush is breaking the law.. and he needs to be punished. PERIOD.
What's to debate about that ?????