Bush's government-by-minority pushes Hill foes, allies; Willing to defy public, much of Congress

[DeepModem Mom]

NYT/AP: Bush Pushes Hill Foes, Allies to the Max
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: November 5, 2007

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Bush enters a new phase of government-by-minority this month, issuing a veto certain to draw the first override of his presidency, and testing even his most loyal allies' limits on spending issues that will dominate the fall agenda.

The strategy allows Bush to employ every ounce of his presidential powers, imposing his will so long as he is backed by one-third of either house in Congress -- the minimum to sustain a presidential veto. But it could strain his relations with GOP lawmakers as he pushes his tax-and-spending dogma beyond points that even a third of the House or Senate can accept.

Bush's growing use of the veto, combined with his continued embrace of executive orders and ''signing statements,'' signal his willingness to defy large portions of Congress and the public to shape policies in his final year in office....

Democrats view the tactic as a hollow, deathbed conversion to spending concerns and a stubbornness that will haunt the GOP in the 2008 elections. They grudgingly acknowledge, however, that there is little they can do to force the president's hand on Iraq, domestic spending and other issues for the next 14 months....

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-Lameless-Duck.html