As a court clash with the legislature looms, the President is under
continuous pressure to sack the Attorney General, Alberto Gonzales, an
old Texas friend, and much of that pressure is coming from Mr Bush's
Republicans on Capitol Hill, a sign of how he is losing control of his
own party.
Thus far, the most vivid evidence of his crumbling authority was the
Republican rebellion that led to defeat of immigration reform, a
measure vigorously championed by the President.
Its demise ended Mr Bush's last hope of a significant second term
legisative achievement, and sealed his status as the lamest of lame
ducks.
But a more ominous challenge looms in September when - barring clear
evidence that his troop surge is working - Republicans could join with
Democrats to force a change in strategy on Iraq, the issue that above
all is destroying his presidency.
Thus far, his own party has kept ranks behind him.
But with the 2008 elections less than 18 months away, the cracks are
growing, and last week saw the most important defection yet, of
Richard Lugar, the senior Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations
Committee.
From The Independent, 7/4/07:
http://news.independent.co.uk/world/americas/article2733246.ece
'Imploding' presidency in no mood for celebration on Independence Day
By Rupert Cornwell in Washington
For Americans, the 4th of July is a time for celebration.
For George Bush however, today's Independence Day holiday is another
date in the calendar of an imploding presidency without parallel in
recent history.
The latest, albeit probably relatively minor, blow to Mr Bush's
standing was his move on Monday to commute the 30-month jail sentence
imposed on Lewis "Scooter" Libby, Vice-President ***** Cheney's former
chief of staff, for perjury in the CIA leak case.
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