Spying and Lying: A Winning Issue for Dems... If They Stay Strong

[cal04]

Kicking off the Senate hearings into the legality of President Bush's warrantless domestic spying program -- oh, sorry, "terrorist surveillance program" -- Attorney General Alberto Gonzales refused to discuss details of the program, insisting that "an open discussion of the operational details of this program would put the lives of Americans at risk." But not half as much as an open discussion of the program would put the GOP's '06 chances at risk. Illegal warrantless wiretapping -- and the administration's unrelenting mendacity about it -- is not only wrong on principle but a perfect wedge issue for Democrats, a chance to split off conservatives and independents disgusted with the White House's contemptuous disregard for the rule of law and for the truth. But only if Democrats correctly frame the issue.

(snip)
This isn't about being against eavesdropping or, as Karl Rove would like you to believe, not having the will to ferret out al-Qaeda members and "affiliates." It's about the President of the United States (and his minions) aggressively and willfully breaking the law -- and lying about it. Repeatedly. First, the law breaking. Arguing that Bush has "inherent constitutional authority" to order warantless wiretaps or that Congress's post-9/11 "use of force" resolution gave the president a blank check when it came to domestic spying is simply contradicted by the facts. Even Arlen Specter has called the White House's defense of the spy program "very strained and unrealistic."

(snip)
The Constitution, the law creating the FISA court, and Supreme Court precedent all make it clear: Bush is breaking the law -- no matter how many times Gonzales insists that Gen. Washington intercepted letters between British operatives or that Lincoln okayed tapping into telegraph messages during the Civil War. And the Democrats need to keep hammering that point home. Again and again and again. They also need to cut through -- again and again -- the fog of lies the administration has told (and keeps telling) to cover up its law breaking. The American public doesn't like being lied to. And these guys are world-class liars. They make Jim Frey look like a piker when it comes to selling us a bill of goods.

(snip)
So far, the Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee have adopted a strong tone with Gonzales. But Democrats have an ignominious recent history of coming out of the gate hard, then quickly sounding retreat as soon as the White House cries "soft on defense!" This time, they need to stay on the offensive, making the case every chance they can that our national security is being undercut by Bush's lawbreaking and lies.

Arianna Huffington
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/arianna-huffington/spying-and-lying-a-winni_b_15206.html

[understandinglife]

1. K&R.

Peace.