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while trying.
Seriously.
As if Congressional (both houses) GOP and WH GOP relations were not bad enough when Bush waited until after the election to oust Rummy. Now, all for what appears to be his ego's sake, he wants to 'step it up' - but essentially maintain the same strategy. A strategy that the most of the country, including a big ole hunk of voters that regularly vote GOP, is against.
When the new Democratic Majority takes over in Congress - it is going to get much more interesting than even previously suspected.
Will the Senate and House Repub leadership continue to carry water for Bushco out of a sense of partisan warfare? If so, how many members will see images of their political epitaths flash before their eyes each time they are asked to vote "with the president" and against the wishes of their constituents. Not just on issues related to the War - but on a myriad of issues. How many, with those visions dancing in their head, will peel away from their leadership?
If instead the Senate and House repub leadership decide to diverge from the interests of bush - expect some serious battles - and I suggest those will emerge over some future signing statement where congress passes a law, bush signs it and attaches a signing statement. And congress - with support from some GOPers (perhaps even leadership) make a move towards a Constitutional showdown with the WH (in an effort to portray all perceived (by the public) bad actions as "bad apples bush and cheney" in order to try to salvage their futures and the future of their party. Somehow I don't see this happening - more likely the former (with the leadership increasingly unable to control its members.)
See, W is telling the party... "F U!" He is making it clear that HIS interests (his ego and his deluded sense that someday history will view him in a positive light) is far more important than the GOP's interests, and more important than the Country's interest.
Did we really used to think that Rove was some kind of genious strategist? Don't those days seem long passed?
Will be an interesting Congressional session - and Bush just upped the ante in a way that really is not likely to endear him to the GOP on the Hill.
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