Liberal Talk Radio

Sen. Arlen Specter had a great quote on NPR yesterday on this issue of domestic spying and FISA courts. The president has argued that congress gave him this authority in 2002 when they authorized “all necessary force” in prosecuting the war on terror. But then later the White House says that when they briefed the Congressional leadership, they discussed the possibility of explicit legislation on the issue. Congress said it was unlikely they could get such legislation passed.

So Specter asks something to the effect of, “if the White House didn’t think they could get legislation passed issuing this authority, why would they assume that congress had already granted that same authority?”

It’s a good question.