Duck & Cover: The Loyalty Of Political Hacks

GOP Unease Spreads To Security Issues

The first heading on the issues page of Rep. Mark Foley's Web site brags that he is "one of President Bush's strongest supporters in Congress." The Florida Republican voted for the president's legislation 90 percent of the time, according to the Web site, "the 3rd highest ranking among the Florida delegation."

Now the Florida delegation's third-strongest Bush supporter is on the front lines of the Republican revolt against the president on the deal to turn over key operations at six U.S. ports to a United Arab Emirates company. Republicans who once marched in lock step behind their president on national security are increasingly willing to challenge him in an area considered his political strength.

The signs of GOP discontent have been building in the past few months. Dissident Republicans in Congress forced Bush to sign a measure banning torture of detainees despite his initial veto threat, blocked renewal of the USA Patriot Act until their civil liberties concerns were addressed and pressured the White House into accepting legislation on its secret eavesdropping program. By the time the port deal came to light, the uprising was no longer limited to dissidents.

So much for loyalty. I wouldn't have a problem with taking President Bush to task on the issues, but the vast majority of congress critters that are now criticizing the administration are like Foley... 100% any ideology that keeps the polling numbers up. I want politicians that have a backbone, a set of principles derived from the Constitution, a scholarship regarding laws and regulation, knowledge of the issues they are dealing with in the process and a committment to personal and professional integrity.