Specter of a Backbone

"I'm not accusing anybody of anything. And I'm not saying the vice president acted in bad faith," he said.

"This is nothing personal between Arlen Specter or Vice President Cheney. This is a matter of civil liberties. It's a matter of separation of power. And it's a matter of important congressional oversight. And, so far, we're not getting there. And that's why I prepared a fairly strong letter. . . .

"I don't think the president has acted in bad faith here. I think he is functioning on something which he thinks needs to be done to protect the country. But he doesn't have a blank check. He's not the final word. We have a Constitution. The Constitution says that the Congress has oversight. And, on a constitutional issue, that's the Judiciary Committee."

Oh Happy Day

U.S. forces yesterday killed the leader of al-Qaeda in Iraq, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, giving the White House what may be the biggest Iraq-related public-relations lift since the capture of Saddam Hussein in 2003.

President Bush today strode out into the Rose Garden this morning to make a statement .

"Zarqawi's death is a severe blow to al Qaeda. It's a victory in the global war on terror, and it is an opportunity for Iraq's new government to turn the tide of this struggle."

Bush praised the Iraqi prime minister for finally completing his cabinet and announced a series of high-profile meetings planned for next week.

"On Monday I will meet with my national security team and other key members of my Cabinet at Camp David to discuss the way forward in Iraq. Our top diplomats and military commanders in Iraq will give me an assessment of recent changes in the political and economic and security situation on the ground. On Tuesday, Iraq's new Ambassador to the United States will join us, and we will have a teleconference discussion with the Prime Minister and members of his cabinet. Together we will discuss how to best deploy America's resources in Iraq and achieve our shared goal of an Iraq that can govern itself, defend itself and sustain itself. . . .

"We have tough days ahead of us in Iraq that will require the continued patience of the American people. Yet the developments of the last 24 hours give us renewed confidence in the final outcome of this struggle: the defeat of terrorism threats, and a more peaceful world for our children and grandchildren."

Turning the Tide

There is something very concrete about killing a vicious murderer and insurgent leader. But it's worth noting that this is not the first time Bush has cited an event in Iraq as representing a new chapter.

Bush today cited Zarqawi's death as "an opportunity for Iraq's new government to turn the tide of this struggle."

As I wrote in my May 24 column, Out of Touch on Iraq , Bush on May 22 hailed the formation of a new Iraqi government as a "turning point."