Bush, whose aides said they consider the issue a clear political winner, is resurrecting tactics from the last campaign to make the NSA spying program a referendum on which party will keep the United States safe from terrorists. He has dispatched top White House officials almost daily to defend the program and has sent a message to party activists that he considers fighting terrorism with tools such as NSA eavesdropping the defining issue of the November elections

Worth reading. Troublesome.

The story here is not whether or not it ought to be authorized but whether or not is was authorized. Almost no one understands this distinction. The Republican talking points are:
1. Its legal.
2. Its needed to defend America.
3. People raising questions about its legality are partisan hacks who don't care about the safety of the American people.

[ Most troublesome because the Democrats are doing *NOTHING* to take the offensive on this issue. Every single poll I've seen indicates that the american public *doesn't want to be spied on* without warrants, but the dems won't take it up. It's fucking absurd. They're starting to hedge on Alito now too, talking like it's already over and how no matter what the outcome, they said some things that needed saying. But dammit, quit saying things and start DOING things. The democrats aren't marginal because the public isn't behind them.

They're marginal because they won't sack up and take some stands. -k]

Rift Between Parties Over NSA Wiretapping Grows