...meaning, of course, dead on target.
[UPDATE: See also Laura Rozen and a succinct summary from Atrios, from whom the original tip.]
The Republicans are currently exploiting, erm, a seam in our system of government. We have a system of checks and balances that is designed to restrain abuses of power. Part of this is that Congress is supposed to oversee the executive. When the executive does something wrong or even suspicious, Congress should investigate. But the Republicans in Congress put pure partisanship above their duties, and so the Bush Administration is free to run amok on any number of issues -- torture, lying about the war, and now illegal spying on Americans.
But, as Glenn points out, there is hope; Watergate didn't bring Nixon down in a day. Bush is extremely unpopular, and Congressional Republicans may be forced to distance themselves from him for no other reason than to save their own craven hides. Or they could lose enough seats in Congress that Democrats will actually have the power to exercise some oversight. But the Republicans' commitment to malfeasance is disheartening. That's why I don't post about politics more.
Posted by Matt Weiner at March 8, 2006 07:24 AM