Mixed Signs Cast Doubt on Bush's Spy Reform Push

[Khephra]

CRAWFORD, Texas (Reuters) - Months of mixed signals from the White House and the Pentagon are raising questions about President Bush's commitment to push for a deal to overhaul the nation's spy agencies, congressional aides and people close to the Sept. 11 commission say.

While Bush made a public appeal to Congress this week to revive a White House-backed compromise, Democratic critics say he has done little of the personal lobbying that could help break the deadlock and has not launched a full-court press as he has for other legislative priorities.

"He's trying to have it both ways," a senior congressional aide involved in the negotiations said of Bush. "If he really wanted to get this done, he could."

snip.............

"They're doing enough as to avoid the appearance that they're willing to let it die, but not enough to get it done," said a former counter-terrorism official.

http://reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=politicsNews&storyID=6922342

[Ima]

1. Not surprised

"Even some fellow Republicans are expressing frustration with the White House and have accused Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and other officials of saying one thing in public and saying another in private -- a charge Rumsfeld denies."

[JaySherman]

2. They're stalling is all. Waiting for the heat to die down.

Once it's out of the public consciousness, I have no doubt the purge will continue as planned.