An Imminent Threat (to the Constitution)

"[I]t wasn't supposed to be this way. The president's foreign policy was designed do make the Middle East safer. It's not, and in Beirut the anger is directed not just at Israel, but at the US. Crisis after crisis has undermined the Bush doctrine. Preemptive war in Iraq to set an example and perhaps open a new chapter of peace. . . .

"Iraq on the brink of civil war; a rising Iran defying the world over nuclear weapons and flexing its muscles; and missile tests by North Korea in violation of diplomatic demands. Even the president's conservative allies say the world has become more unstable. 'Where,' they now ask, 'is the president's nerve?' "

As his example, Gregory quoted Max Boot of the Council on Foreign relations as saying: "We should be more aggressive in trying to make clear to Iran and Syria that their aggressive actions will have consequences."

The White House press office later that day responded to Gregory's report with one of its " Setting The Record Straight " memos entitled "President Bush's Foreign Policy Is Succeeding."

And as evidence that conservatives do stand behind Bush's policies, the press office quoted the selfsame Max Boot , who in a Los Angeles Times op-ed wrote: "Our best response is exactly what Bush has done so far -- reject premature calls for a cease-fire and let Israel finish the job."

Then on Sunday's "Meet the Press," Russert grilled White House Chief of Staff Josh Bolten about the White House's apparent endorsement of Boot's article, which also called on Israel to attack Syria. "Is that administration policy?" Russert asked.

Bolten's reply: "That, that article is -- I mean, was sent around as a, as a reflection of some of the conservative columnist support for Israel. But, no. . . . "

Specter Gets Defensive

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As I've written here and there , the so-called "retreat" by the White House on domestic spying looks more like yet another example of the Senate Judiciary Committee chairman being outfoxed by that wily vice president.

The chairman himself, Arlen Specter , writes in a Washington Post op-ed: "The negotiations with administration officials and the president himself were fierce. . . .

"President Bush's record of seeking to expand Article II power has been a hallmark of his administration. The president and vice president have vociferously argued that the administration had the authority for the program without any judicial review. Bush's personal commitment to submit his program to [the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court] is therefore a major breakthrough."

And, he writes: "If someone has a better idea for legislation that would resolve the program's legality or can negotiate a better compromise with the president, I will be glad to listen."

Maura Reynolds write in the Los Angeles Times that Specter told her on Friday that Bush "overruled his staff" in agreeing to the deal.

Politics Watch

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The Washington Post kicks off its Bellwether Project, examining the key issues in the battle for Congress.

" The Elephant in the Room " is "How Big a Problem is President Bush for the GOP?"

Nancy Benac reports for the Associated Press: "Vice President Dick Cheney on Friday pointed to the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah as fresh evidence of the ongoing battle against terrorism that underscores the need to keep President Bush's Republican allies in control of Congress."

And me, I just got an e-mail from Bush (well, me and everyone else on the Republican National Committee mailing list) stating: "Dan, nothing threatens our hard-won reforms and economic prosperity more than a Democrat victory this November."

But What Did the Other Guy Say?

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The Associated Press reports: "President Bush called the latest American winner of the Tour de France, Floyd Landis, on Sunday afternoon to congratulate him and invite him to the White House.

" 'Must feel great,' Bush told the cyclist, who rode with an injured hip. 'Everybody's proud of you. You showed amazing strength and courage.' "

But blogger Josh Marhsall notes that at a press conference after his historic ride Thursday, Landis's cell phone started to ring.

"Reporter: Is that Bush?

"Landis (laughing): I doubt it. I'll hang up."

Open Microphone Redux

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Al Kamen writes in The Washington Post: "A British television station says it has identified the person responsible for that open microphone catching a little unvarnished President Bush at the closing G-8 summit lunch in St. Petersburg. The culprit? Shockingly enough, they finger Russian President Vladimir Putin."

And a Los Angeles Times editorial notes that "when it came to outrage over the president's language, nothing ever really hit the fan."

This Just In

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James Rainey writes in the Los Angeles Times that despite the furor over the New York Times stories about Bush's secret domestic surveillance program, the White House is actually still talking to New York Times reporters.

Doonesbury Watch

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Garry Trudeau on Bush's decision-making process.