Bush PR blitz races to frame spying debate

[rainbow4321]

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/012606dnnatnsa.173c9eb8.html

The Bush administration raced this week to defend its warrantless domestic spying program, with several aims in mind, experts say: Win over a conflicted public; force Democrats into an arena that plays to GOP strength; and head off talk of impeachment and special prosecutors.

With polls showing the public sharply divided over the controversial surveillance program, the White House and its critics – Democrats, small-government conservatives and civil libertarians – are engaged in a high-stakes contest to frame the debate.

Though the court of public opinion is key, some suggest that the political system or the courts will be the ultimate arbiter of the program's legality – and the far weightier question of whether Mr. Bush is claiming executive powers outside the bounds of the Constitution or the law.

<snip>
The best outcome, Mr. Fein said, would be for the White House to seek a rewrite of the FISA law if changes are deemed necessarily – and to quietly renounce the idea that the Constitution grants the president unparalleled wartime power.

[rodeodance]

1. It will be a cold day in hell before the WH would do this.

.......<snip>
The best outcome, Mr. Fein said, would be for the White House to seek a rewrite of the FISA law if changes are deemed necessarily – and to quietly renounce the idea that the Constitution grants the president unparalleled wartime power.

[Avalux]

2. Gots to catapult the propaganda......

he he.....he he......

[mopaul]

3. a stunning tactic that only nazis would use

instead of hiding from their crimes, they amplifie and brag about them as virtues.

[rodeodance]

4. good point here about NOT notifying ALL members of committee.

Congressional notice

Bush administration: The eight top House and Senate Republicans and Democrats in leadership and on intelligence committees were briefed on the program more than a dozen times. "If I wanted to break the law, why was I briefing Congress?" Mr. Bush asked.

Critics: The administration violated the 1947 National Security Act by not briefing all members of the House and Senate intelligence committees, a view endorsed by the Congressional Research Service.

[rodeodance]

5. Specters hearing is set for Feb 6.

Little oversight?

But Caroline Fredrickson, head of the American Civil Liberties Union's Washington office, said she fears that clash won't materialize because the GOP-led Congress has shown little appetite for oversight of the administration's anti-terrorism efforts.

"Where you have bipartisan groups of individuals from the broadest spectrum of American political life suggesting that the president's actions are illegal, I think this is where Congress should be undertaking extensive hearings," she said.

Thus far, the Senate Judiciary Committee is the only one committed to hold hearings, with Chairman Arlen Specter, R-Pa., voicing skepticism about the program's legal justification.

Mr. Specter has summoned Attorney General Al Gonzales for a Feb. 6 hearing and is under pressure from Democrats to invite former Deputy Attorney General James Comey and other administration officials who reportedly raised concerns about the legality of the domestic surveillance.....

[rodeodance]

6. nominated

[rodeodance]

7. says Jr's I am protecting you--mayb work (I think so also).

With polls showing the public sharply divided over the controversial surveillance program, the White House and its critics – Democrats, small-government conservatives and civil libertarians – are engaged in a high-stakes contest to frame the debate.

"If it's defined primarily as 'government abuse, the president out of control, the White House running roughshod over basic constitutional rights,' it would be a major problem for an extended period of time for the president – both on Capitol Hill but also with the voters," said political analyst Stuart Rothenberg.

"If the issue is defined more as 'protecting national security, keeping people safe, stopping terrorism,' then what the Democrats immediately saw might be a good issue for them could actually be turned around for the president and the Republican Party."

[rodeodance]

9. he is predicting that Congress may assert its power. umm.....

...... Backlash predicted

Mr. Keene, typically a staunch Bush ally, predicted that the administration's stance would "create an institutional backlash," with Congress moving to assert its power.

The best outcome, Mr. Fein said, would be for the White House to seek a rewrite of the FISA law if changes are deemed necessarily – and to quietly renounce the idea that the Constitution grants the president unparalleled wartime power.

Few of those challenging the administration's actions have suggested that the spy program should be terminated, and congressional Democrats have urged the administration to come to Congress for legislative approval.

The White House sees no need to do so, spokesman Scott McClellan said. "The president has the authority and responsibility to do what he's doing to prevent attacks from happening," he said.

[proud patriot]

8. Bush's 4th amendment scandal is a Constitutional Crisis