My cynicism is going into overdrive over the timing of this story from the
FPP by Georgia 10.
As was mentioned in a Hotline On Call post yesterday, the deciding factor on whether Americans take Bush's illegal wiretaps seriously will be whether they consider it spying or counter-terrorism. The wiretaps really crross in to an area that will make a lot of Americans uncomfortable, especially when it becomes clear how much potential for abuse the program has.
However, if Americans feel that the program is necessary for our safety, then it seems highly unlikely that the public will demand accountability. If the Administration is going to survive this issue they are going to need to define their actions as preventing terrorism. The concept of nuclear threats by Muslims is exactly the sort of idea that furthers their survival. By drawing a parallel between these searches (without warrants) to their illegal wiretaps, Bush gives the impression that illegal searches are important to our safety.
My gut feeling is that the majority of the public (on some level) would support a program similar to the one that is being reported. Do not discount the xenophobia that exists towards Muslims, and the fear of nuclear attacks.
Bottomline, I think we need to be very concerned that this story was planted by the Administration to try and create confusion as to what kind of spying they've engaged in. If they succeed in equating the wiretaps with this newly disclosed program, they will not be held accountable.