Senator Specter Postures

After seeing the trouble his fellow Republican Senator from Pennsylvania has found as a result of being a Bush lap dog, Sen. Specter talks big. From the AP:

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Arlen Specter said Thursday he is considering legislation to cut off funding for the Bush administration's secret domestic wiretapping program until he gets satisfactory answers about it from the White House.

"Institutionally, the presidency is walking all over Congress at the moment," Specter, R-Pa., told the panel. "If we are to maintain our institutional prerogative, that may be the only way we can do it."

Specter said he had informed President Bush about his intention and that he has attracted several potential co-sponsors. He said he's become increasingly frustrated in trying to elicit information about the program from senior White House officials at several public hearings.

According to a copy of the amendment obtained by The Associated Press, it would enact a "prohibition on use of funds for domestic electronic surveillance for foreign intelligence purposes unless Congress is kept fully and currently informed."

Of course that sort of language will get you in serious trouble, if the right people decide your serious. Specter has gotten a pass for his independent mindedness because in the end, he always caves.

He talked big about the Administration having to be willing to compromise on Judicial Appointments. Didn't Happen. He talks about being Pro-Choice, but when it comes down to it, he sat there and let two Supreme Court Justices get past him.

I'm hoping Arlen will prove my pessimism wrong. But I'm betting he won't.

Arlen Specter NSA Domestic Wiretapping George W. Bush