How extreme were conservative commentators in their remarks this year? How about calls to nuke the Middle East and an allegation that a "gay ... mafia" used the congressional page program as its own "personal preserve."

Media Matters - Most outrageous comments of 2006

Sen. John McCain, leading a blue-ribbon congressional delegation to Baghdad before Christmas, collected evidence that a "surge" of more U.S. troops is needed in Iraq. But not all his colleagues who accompanied him were convinced. What's more, he will find himself among a dwindling minority inside the Senate Republican caucus when Congress reconvenes this week.

A 'Surge' Faces Trouble In the Senate

Blair is expected to support the call for a "Chapter 7" resolution, which could effectively isolate Iran from the international community.
But, in the midst of international opposition to a pre-emptive strike on Tehran, and Britain's military commitments around the world, the government maintains it cannot contribute to a military assault.

Blair refuses to back Iran strike

Six retired generals, some of whom led troops in Iraq, have spoken out against Rumsfeld in recent days, accusing him of arrogance, ignoring his field commanders, and micro-management.

I can't say I am surprised. I had him pegged as arrogant a long time ago.

Bush backs Rumsfeld against resignation calls - Yahoo! News

A newly elected councilman in a tiny Florida village has refused to take an oath of office pledging support for the U.S. government because he adamantly opposes the war in Iraq.

Florida councilman won't swear support for US - Reuters

The footage — along with seven days of transcripts of briefings obtained by The Associated Press — show in excruciating detail that while federal officials anticipated the tragedy that unfolded in New Orleans and elsewhere along the Gulf Coast, they were fatally slow to realize they had not mustered enough resources to deal with the unprecedented disaster.

The smoking gun... if this isn't the final straw for the Republican party, I'm afraid to ask what more it will take.

Tape: Bush, Chertoff Warned Before Katrina - Yahoo! News

President Bush is taking a battering from fellow Republicans, even the governors of New York and Maryland, over the administration's support for a decision that gives an Arab company control of some commercial operations at six major seaports -- including Miami-Dade's.But he got a boost Monday from an unlikely source, frequent critic and former president Jimmy Carter, who downplayed fears that the deal poses a risk.

I have to admit, I'm surprised.

MiamiHerald.com | 02/21/2006 | Carter backs Bush's stand on seaport-operations deal

Vice President Dick Cheney said Wednesday that an executive order gives him the authority to declassify secret documents, but he would not say whether he authorized an indicted former aide to release classified information.

CNN.com - Cheney says he has power to declassify information - Feb 16, 2006

Recently, Republicans have been implying that an indictment for perjury is simply a "technicality." But they didn't always feel that way.

IN THE 1990'S GOP LEADERS SAID PERJURY WAS A CRIME...

The Democratic Party

] "With less than three days left as governor of Illinois,
] George H. Ryan looked at the staff members who were
] helping him decide who on death row should live and who
] should die.

] ``I can't play God,'' he said finally.

] With that, Ryan's staff knew that the governor would
] empty out Illinois' death row of all 167 of its inmates
] and complete his remarkable, four-year journey from
] staunch supporter of capital punishment to one of the
] country's most influential anti-death penalty advocates."

] Ryan halted all executions in Illinois, pointing out that since
] capital punishment was reinstated in 1977, 13 death row inmates
] had been exonerated - more than the 12 executed.

Ryan Changes Stand on Death Penalty