When I watched the caller reaction to the Schavio case on CSPAN following the House vote to allow her parents to appeal to the federal level, something significant happened. Two Republicans called and expressed horror at the government's intrusion into what should be a private decision. At first, I thought this was either a fluke, or some smart Democratic political junkies trying to make the GOP look bad. But this was no fluke. It was the beginning of the end for the Bush administration's unchallenged power grabs.
Now, I am seeing a similar reaction from rank and file Republicans over the Rove scandal. Republicans are e-mailing the Democratic Party and protesting this outrage from the GOP leadership:
"I switched to Republican over 30 years ago, but now feel increasingly betrayed by and ashamed of the power-crazy dishonesty and the distorted values of the current leadership of the GOP. Tom DeLay does not speak or stand for most American Republicans. Neither does Karl Rove, who should be fired and severely punished if indications are correct. Can we trust you, Mr. President? Please give us the real, open truth." - Jeb E., Palo Alto, CA "I am a registered and disappointed Republican. Don't make this situation worse - 'fess up and fix the problem." Karen H., Fort Collins, CO
"I am a registered Republican and want this current administration to admit the fault and fire Rove now! Decent Americans lose their jobs over less." Alice C., Wilmington, DE
"I vote for whoever I think will do the best job -- Democrat, Republican, Independent -- and this is the time for elected officials to do their best job: honor their word, honor their country, and honor those they govern by upholding not only the law but what is moral and right. In this case, it is to remove whoever is responsible for leaking the CIA agent's identity." Nancy O., Van Buren, AR
"As a registered Republican, I join with those that say enough is enough! Time to clean house!" Tim M., Milan, OH
Even the long-time GOP paper
The Chicago Tribune has stood up and said this is wrong in today's editorial:
What we do know is that the White House falsely denied in 2003 that Rove or Libby had any role in the leaks. Fitzgerald will figure out whodunit. But there's no mystery here: The administration is losing credibility over the matter of Valerie Plame.
Scooter Libby is an aide to Vice President Dick Cheney.
If you're a Republican reading this, and you are considering changing parties, welcome to the blog. If you post here, I speak for many Democrats when I promise I will see you as a person instead of a Republican or a Democrat or an Independent. There are many excellent people on both sides of the aisle; I know of a 16 year-old boy who is the son of a GOP legislator. Gardening is his passion. He spends all his spare time cultivating a huge garden and donates all the food to a local charity for the poor. My quarrel is not with rank and file Republicans; my quarrel is against the Washington power establishment which will no longer play by the rules. I promise I will be patient with you as we engage in healthy dialogue.