GOP Senators Tell Cheney Where To Stick It

Yeah, we're not thinking John McCain or Lindsey Graham much cared for Cheney butting in. "McCain, a former prisoner of war in Vietnam, and Graham, who spent 20 years as an Air Force lawyer, introduced the legislation Monday." AP (07.26.05):

"Senate Republicans pushed ahead Monday with legislation that would set rules for the treatment and interrogation of terrorism suspects in U.S. custody, despite a White House veto threat. The Bush administration, led by Vice President Dick Cheney, is working to kill the amendments that GOP Sens. John McCain of Arizona and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina want to tack onto a bill setting Defense Department policy for next year." GOP Senators Push Detainee Treatment Rules

"Republicans said the measures were not toned down even though White House lobbying against them intensified late last week." "Senate aides estimate that nearly a dozen Republicans could be on board - which would be more than enough for the amendments to pass if Democrats support them as well." That would include the Senate Armed Services Committee Chair John Warner, who "has endorsed the effort." So does Mr. Bush have the brass to veto this thing? Ha! Doubt it. Though things sure would get a helluva lot more interesting if he did. We can hear it now: So Senator, why did feel it was not appropriate to support establishing clear and exact standards for interrogation of prisoners?