Senate rules change would help Bush's effort to consolidate power

By Ron Hutcheson

Knight Ridder Newspapers

WASHINGTON - All presidents seek power, but President Bush is setting a new standard with his efforts to consolidate and expand presidential authority.

He may be on the verge of his biggest victory yet as the Senate debates whether to change its rules for dealing with judicial nominations. A decision to bar Senate filibusters - unlimited debate - against judicial nominees effectively would give Bush a free hand in picking judges. It also would reduce the inherent power of every senator, and the Senate itself, to exert leverage against any president.