GOP dissent, and calls for checks on Bush, are way up since party's midterm loss of Congress [View All]

[DeepModem Mom]

LAT: GOP alienation marks turnabout for Bush
Dissent and calls for checks on the president have mushroomed since the party lost Congress in the midterm election.
By Noam N. Levey, Time Staff Writer
December 10, 2006

WASHINGTON — President Bush, weakened by an unpopular war and the loss of Republican control in Congress, is now confronting disaffection within his own party that could complicate his attempt to set an agenda for his final two years in office.

As Republicans departed Capitol Hill this weekend, some who used to dismiss Democratic attempts to investigate the administration as political posturing are now lining up behind calls for greater oversight of the executive branch.

They are advertising attacks on Bush's foreign policy that they once kept largely private. Last week, Oregon Sen. Gordon H. Smith gave a speech calling the current war strategy "absurd" and sent out a news release with his remarks.

Some longtime Bush allies, such as Texas Sen. John Cornyn, are even adopting Democratic rhetoric to criticize the Iraq war.

And on other issues that will confront the new Congress in January — including trade and judicial appointments — Republican lawmakers have signaled an unwillingness to follow the White House.

"Frankly, I think there is a greater recognition and awareness of the necessity for us to exercise checks and balances," said Sen. Olympia J. Snowe (R-Maine), noting how much the Nov. 7 election changed the climate on Capitol Hill....

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-bush10dec10,0,5500718.story?coll=la-home-headlines