Billmon: Nobody Fears You When You're Down and Out

From the LA Times via Laura Rozen:

Administration allies said Monday that by reviving debate over the spy program, which Hayden oversaw when he led the National Security Agency, his nomination would provide a welcomed opportunity to reopen a tried-and-true election-year playbook in which Republicans portray Democrats as weak on national security . . .

Still, there were signs Monday that the White House might have miscalculated. Rather than Democrats leading the charge against Hayden, some of the most vocal opposition came from Republicans, including steadfast White House backers such as House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., Sen. Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga. and Rep. Peter Hoekstra, R-Mich., who is chairman of the House Intelligence Committee. Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Pat Roberts, R-Kan., who will lead Hayden's confirmation hearings, has declined to endorse him.