Posted on 03/18/2007 8:14:35 AM PDT by SmithL
Washington -- For six years, President Bush weathered controversies over warrantless wiretaps, abuse at Abu Ghraib prison and the government's bungled response to Hurricane Katrina with the help of a Republican Congress that wasn't eager to probe too deeply.
But less than three months into a Congress controlled by Democrats, top administration officials are being subpoenaed to testify, grilled before multiple committees or fired to contain the damage from recent scandals. Even Attorney General Alberto Gonzales is fighting to save his job.
To Democrats, it's a sign that checks and balances have returned after six years of one-party rule in the nation's capital.
"We have decided to turn the Congress from an accountability-free zone into a place where we hold the executive branch, the Congress and the federal government accountable," said Rep. Chris Van Hollen, a Maryland Democrat who's leading the party's re-election efforts.
The shift in power has made it impossible for the White House to control a series of scandals in recent weeks, from the mistreatment of injured soldiers at Walter Reed Army Medical Center to the controversial firings of eight federal prosecutors.
The change was clear the day after the Nov. 7 elections, when Bush dismissed Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. Democrats had called for Rumsfeld's dismissal for years, but it was the voters' clearly expressed anger over the Iraq war that forced the move.
In recent weeks, the controversies have snowballed, prompting the usually assertive White House to play defense.
When the Washington Post first reported on soldiers at Walter Reed living in facilities infested with mice and mold on Feb. 18, the reaction from the Pentagon was to deny or minimize the allegations. But as the stories kept coming, the public was furious and lawmakers of both parties demanded answers.
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
Democrats are doing the jobs Republicans don't want to do.
This is not about 2 party politics or checks and balances.
No this is about the Democrats wanting to undo every achievement that the Bush Administration has undertaken.
Ths is what he gets for trying to be "bi-partisan".
That path always leads to ruin for America.
"I'm a uniter, not a divider. yuh yuh yuh."
"That path always leads to ruin for America."
Please pick up a history book and at least thumb through it.
But now GW has a Congress he can work with.
Recall how he beamed while making that pronouncement the day after the election?
Any chapter in particular you'd care to refer me to?
On matters domestic, the White House has mostly been on defense since January 20, 2001. The worst Presidential PR operation in modern times, GWB's exasperating refusal to challenge the torrent of lies coming his way, and the "hit me again" cringe when accused of wrongdoing by the Dems/MSM have deeply eroded the Presidency along with, unfortunately, the power and reputation of conservatism. It's amazing anything at all has been accomplished.
We'll be a long time rebuilding what this passive Presidency has meekly allowed to happen to the conservative cause.
I could n ot disagree more. The clintons made people think that the presidency is just a n empty PR operation. To me, the exaggeration of little snafus into scandals by the dems shoulod show everyone that they have nothing positive to offer. All they do is compl;ain and obstruct whether they are in the majority or minority. Look quick. If there is a spot or stain anywhere in your home the Dems will send in a TV crew to embarass you before the world.
I don't do Barf Alerts!
But you did notice that this was a San Francisco Chronicle opinion piece, didn't you? What were you expecting?
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