Raw Story: Cracks in the GOP Facade

Whoa. No amount of bondo in the world could fill these cracks, I'm sure: RAW STORY is reporting that Bill "the cat" Frist is facing a significant challenge as Senate majority leader not just from Sam Brownback on the Senate Judiciary Committee, but also John Warner on the delays in the military's budget bill and flash-from-the-past Trent Lott, who has joined the ranks of those publicly speaking out against Harriet Miers' nomination to the Supreme Court.

While hardly all-out rebellion, the three senators' comments may presage unrest to come. As Senate leader, Frist sets the timetable for when legislation is voted on; he is the gatekeeper of the President's agenda. Frist has prevented a vote on the military budget because he is certain to lose a battle over an amendment authored by Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) which prohibits the Administration from employing torture -- a measure that President Bush has threatened to veto.

Not only are the conservatives vexed about Miers, they're also unhappy over Bush's profligate spending, the largest increase in government spending in U.S. history. The American Conservative Union has said, "Conservatives throughout the United States are increasingly losing faith in the President and the Republican Leadership in Congress to adequately prioritize and rein in overall federal spending."

According to RAW STORY,

What was once a hairline fracture in party cohesion is now a broken bone. Whether Republicans in Congress can reform a disciplined cavalcade behind the party's agenda and its leadership - as the Democrats did on Social Security - may be the difference between holding onto the presidency and Congress and losing control in the years to come.

More trouble in doggyland: the Gang of 14 is meeting at 4:30 today.

SusanHu has diaries up at Kos and Booman Tribune, if you want to enjoy the comments.

Extra credit: Is there any reason why James Dobson should not be subpoenaed to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee?