Terrorism Policies Split Democrats

Washington Post: Anger Mounts Within Party Over Inaction On Bush Tactics

(Washingtonpost.com)  This story was written by Jonathan Weisman.

---

A growing clamor among rank-and-file Democrats to halt President Bush's most controversial tactics in the fight against terrorism has exposed deep divisions within the party, with many Democrats angry that they cannot defeat even a weakened president on issues that they believe should be front and center.

The Democrats' failure to rein in wiretapping without warrants, close the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay or restore basic legal rights such as habeas corpus for terrorism suspects has opened the party's leaders to fierce criticism from some of their staunchest allies -- on Capitol Hill, among liberal bloggers and at interest groups.

At the Democratic-leaning Center for American Progress yesterday, panelists discussing the balance between security and freedom lashed out at Democratic leaders for not standing up to the White House. "These are matters of principle," said Mark Agrast, a senior fellow at the center. "You don't temporize."

The American Civil Liberties Union is running Internet advertisements depicting House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.) as sheep.

"Bush wanted more power to eavesdrop on ordinary Americans, and we just followed along. I guess that's why they call us the Democratic leadersheep," say the two farm animals in the ad, referring to Congress's passage of legislation granting Bush a six-month extension and expansion of his warrantless wiretapping program.

Rep. Rush D. Holt (D-N.J.), who leads a newly created House select intelligence oversight panel, lamented, "Democrats have been slow to recognize they are in the majority now and can go back to really examine the fundamentals of what we should be doing to protect democracy."

Reid and Pelosi promised last week that they would at least confront the president next month over his wiretapping program, with Pelosi taking an uncompromising stand in a private conference call with House Democrats. When lawmakers return in September, Democrats will also push legislation to restore habeas corpus rights for terrorism suspects and may resume an effort to close the prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

But conservative Democrats and some party leaders continue to worry that taking on those issues would expose them to Republican charges that they are weak on terrorism. And advocates of a strong push on the terrorism issues are increasingly skeptical that they can prevail.

"I don't think it's that we're reluctant to take on Bush," said Rep. Alcee L. Hastings (Fla.), a senior member of the House intelligence committee. "I think it's we are reluctant to take on each other. . . . If I can fast-forward to September, October, November, December and see where we'll be, we'll be nowhere."

Said Rep. James P. Moran Jr. (Va.): "I would've thought the administration would have been bereft of credibility by now, but they seem to be able to get what they want from this Congress."

The terrorism issue came to a head early this month in an explosive final closed-door House Democratic Caucus meeting before the August recess. Reps. Hastings, Moran, Melvin Watt (N.C.), John F. Tierney (Mass.) and Jerrold Nadler (N.Y.) pleaded with party leaders not to bring to a vote a White House bill extending the administration's authority to listen in on electronic communications from abroad without a warrant.

Conservative Democrats, including Rep. Allen Boyd (Fla.), argued just as vociferously that Democrats dare not leave on vacation without passing the White House bill.

"The most controversial matters are the ones that people use to form their opinions on their members of Congress," said Rep. Lincoln Davis (D-Tenn.), who voted for the administration's bill. "I do know within our caucus, and justifiably so, there are members who have a real distaste for some of the things the president has done. But to let that be the driving force for our actions to block the surveillance of someone and perhaps stop another attack like 9/11 would be unwise."

The administration's bill passed 227 to 183, with 41 Democrats joining all but two Republicans in favor.

Such divisions will not be easy to bridge in the coming weeks. Republicans have said that Democrats who are trying to close the Guantanamo Bay prison want to import terrorists to Americans' back yards. And they have said that those pushing to restore habeas corpus rights want to give terrorists the legal rights of U.S. citizens.

[brianbwb-2009]

The ship is sinking, but instead of finding a way to plug the hole, most of you are too busy trying to blame someone.

No one here posts possibilities for real solutions, so obviously you all want the ship to sink, just so your inane assertions might be proven right.

You are the problem, as Walt Kelley said; "I have seen the enemy, and it is US!".

[brianbwb-2009]

They are all corrupt, there is no "left" or "right" just a bunch of gangsters stealing your money, and obfuscating the truth, and positing false arguments. Just as there are no "terrorists" the few were false flag plants, and now, as proven by the grounding of a plane just because some passengers speak Arabic, they don''t even need plants, as stupidity has created its own momentum.

We now see "conservatives" agreeing to deficit spending that will harm our future generations, on a useless and illegal war, and "Liberals" reluctant to stop it, they all are getting paid off by the war profiteers, or scared off by the CIA, to "save costs", by not having to buy off so many.

All the while, most of you posters here either have fallen for the ruse (one born every minute), or are getting some kind of benefit, probably financial, for helping continue the sham.

Whoever you idiots vote for among the current crop of losers, be it GOP or DEM, nothing will change, and you will continue to miss the point by pointing your unenlightened fingers at each other.

[likeitis5050]

How long will it take before they realize most of us are sick of far left and far right? If you can''t work from the center, you''re just wasting our time.

[mommajommah]

DEMOCRACK AGENDA

DEFEAT
RETREAT
SOCIALISM

[scottyusa]

"many Democrats angry that they cannot defeat even a weakened president on issues that they believe should be front and center."

Maybe its because the policies that the far left pelosie and gang are trying to pass have been determined by the more intelligent democrats in the party to be dangerous. Like getting out of Iraq right now no matter what and trying to squash every terrorist hunting tool we have. How are they going to track terrorists if they get in power?

[kansas1946]

Could politicians for once in their lives do what is best for America instead of "worrying" about votes. If the sheeple want to vote them out of office because the reenstated and protected our constitution, then fine. The sheeple get what they deserve, a dictatorship, and the politician can go home with a clear concience they they tried. I am sick of these political wh*ores from both parties.

[sandy994]

It has become painfully evident the Democrats need new leadership in the House and the Senate.
Their big success is a 4,000+ raise for themselves. It is any wonder Democrats are totally disgusted with the lack of progress. You control the process and you control the purse or have you forgotten?

[j4401]

The Real Reason We''re In Iraq:

An influential group of conservatives convinced President George W. Bush that it was in America''s best interests to conquer Iraq as a first step toward dominating the oil-producing nations in the Middle East. There was no "exit plan" because we never intended to exit. The plan was, and is, to build military bases in Iraq and stay there forever. Our leaders see Iraq as a place to make money. So Bush & Co. have set up their friends to cash in on the rebuilding of Iraq.

[notblue]

What are the dems two sides to this argument? 1) Blame Bush, continuous investigating of all Republicans and policies, allow some effort against the militants to continue. The other argument 2)Blame Bush, restate pre-war stance to reflect reversal of original statement, cut, run retreat, and surrender as this is all Bush''s fault not those poor insurgents that America insites through it''s policy of fighting back, those militants certainly are not to blame.
LOL!!!!!!!!

[donnie900]

"The only reason why congress''''s poll numbers are lower than bush''''s is of the republicans there that are blocking the Democrats'''' agenda. That will very likely change when the ''''08 election is held. Then the bush whinners and cry babies will have a real hissy fit. Can''''t wait!"

Congress''s approval is lower than Bush''s because of the Democratic Mandate. They won the election solely on the Iraq war! Saying they were going to end it! And they haven''t! They haven''t done anything!

They''re a buncha ******** windbags!

[rafterman1]

===The reason that Congressional poll numbers are lower than Bush is that the LIBS haven''''t done a thing except partisan investigations. Just know this BUTTT MUNCH, on election day, my vote will cancel yours out.===

It''s called "oversight". Bush is President, not King and they are investigations long overdue. They are only partsian because Repubs fail to hold their own accountable. The reason Congress polls are down is because they haven''t been harsh enough against Bush. Plus, I wouldn''t count on your vote too much. Neocons are a dying breed thanks to the disaster Bush and his cronies have brought upon us.

[mbcsmith]

The only reason why congress''''s poll numbers are lower than bush''''s is of the republicans there that are blocking the Democrats'''' agenda. That will very likely change when the ''''08 election is held. Then the bush whinners and cry babies will have a real hissy fit. Can''''t wait!
Posted by leftyintexas at 02:45 PM : Aug 30, 2007

The reason that Congressional poll numbers are lower than Bush is that the LIBS haven''t done a thing except partisan investigations. Just know this BUTTT MUNCH, on election day, my vote will cancel yours out.

[jwhitmann]

Whut this country needs is a commanist revolushun!! Baa, Baa, Baa

Everbudy knows their is no god !!! Baa, Baa, Baa

WE all know that it takes a villuge!!! Baa, Baa, Baa

And Bush is the devil!!! Baa, Baa, Baa

And everbudy else is intolerent,,, except us!!! Baa, Baa, Baa.

And we hate everbudy who disugrees with us, because we''''re tolerent!!! Baa, Baa, Baa

LOL

.

[jwhitmann]

Whut this country needs is a commanist revolushun!! Baa, Baa, Baa

Everbudy knows their is no god !!! Baa, Baa, Baa

WE all know that it takes a villuge!!! Baa, Baa, Baa

And Bush is the devil!!! Baa, Baa, Baa

And everbudy else is intolerent,,, except us!!! Baa, Baa, Baa.

And we hate everbudy who disugrees with us, because we''''re tolerent!!! Baa, Baa, Baa

LOL

.

[lars008-2009]

viva capitalism...

U.S. Economy: Expansion Was Faster Than Estimated
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aP3CFLmKC2CQ&refer=worldwide
Deficit Falls to $205 Billion
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D8QAD5LG1&show_article=1
Good Thing We Cut Taxes
http://ezraklein.typepad.com/blog/2006/09/good_thing_we_c.html
Don''t Just Cut Taxes - Cut Spending
http://www.heritage.org/Press/Commentary/ed021802.cfm?RenderforPrint=1
The greatest economic boom ever
Just how red-hot is the current worldwide expansion? "This is far and away the strongest global economy I''ve seen in my business lifetime," U.S. Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson declared on a recent visit to Fortune''s offices.
http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/2007/07/23/100134937/index.htm?section=money_latest

[lochlan-2009]

The reason for this is quite obviouse. The Dems know that if they make a bill that the Repubs wont agree to, the president will veto it, and the Dems don''t have enough votes to overturn his veto (as of right now). That''s why nothing has been getting accomplished in Congress. We have to wait for Bush and his cronies to get the boot or leave before we can actually start cleaning up the majority of the Bush Admin. crime spree. It is going to be wuite expensive and tough for everyone in America over the next 3-5 years. Brace yourself.

I see the neo-conmen are here going full bore with the Bush propaganda.

[nexgen99]

donnie900 the only think Hillary will dig up is some stained dresses left over from Bill

[feelfree1]

Most national-level Democrats are deeply complicit in many of the worst crimes an Constitutional abuses of the illegitimate Bush regime, and this is what renders them largely useless as an "opposition" Party.

These Democrats should apologize and step down, or find themselves on the dock, next to the members of the illegitimate Bush regime, to answer for their complicity in war crimes and Constitutional abuses against the people of the U.S. and the world.

[donnie900]

I''ve found God, fella.. And he''s just a dumb rich white punk. Who had everything handed to him.. and never had to work.. never had to earn respect from anyone.

[donnie900]

"Hey donnie900 heres some of the things we are responsible for we gave them Electricity, TV, Radio, Cars, Trucks, Airplanes, Lights, Doctors, medicine, water purification plants, the capability to extract their natural resources, computers, ships, telephone, etc, etc, etc. Well maybe we should take back all we have given to them so we don%u2019t inflame them anymore. The only con here is you."

Buddy? You and your cronies are so irresponsible to the american people, you''ll never see public office again.