Imperial Presidency Over?

With his approval rating at a new low of 42% George Bush faces increasing resistance from the Republican controlled House and Senate.

• House Votes To Curb Patriot Act

  The House handed President Bush the first defeat in his effort to preserve the broad powers of the USA Patriot Act, voting yesterday to curtail the FBI's ability to seize library and bookstore records for terrorism investigations.

Republicans join Democrats on Iraq exit resolution

A few Republicans have broken ranks with the White House on Iraq, supporting a resolution that calls for Bush to start withdrawing U.S. troops from Iraq by Oct. 1, 2006. "After 1,700 deaths, over 12,000 wounded and $200 billion spent, we believe it is time to have this debate and discussion," said one sponsor, Rep. Walter Jones, R-N.C., who voted for the war.

• Both Republicans and Democrats question Guantanamo Bay

  Key lawmakers, alarmed by international condemnation of U.S. treatment of prisoners at the military prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, said yesterday they will press Congress to intervene in detainee policies despite the Bush administration's claim that running the detention camp is the province of the executive branch and the military.
  
  At a four-hour Senate hearing yesterday, several Democrats denounced the administration's practices at Guantanamo Bay, and some Republicans agreed that Congress has been too passive in allowing detainees to be held for years without trials or consultations with lawyers.

Is this just the beginning? With elections only 18 months away and Bush's popularity continuing to plummet many Republican lawmakers are beginning to wonder if the out of touch President is a liability.

As Steve Soto says:

Yes, he has pushed through a class-action lawsuit limitation bill, a bankruptcy restriction bill, and an estate tax giveaway so far this year, three items that a Democratic House in 2007 will reverse. He has botched Social Security, he is about to botch Bolton, and his party is showing signs that they are already more concerned about their own necks next year than his second-term agenda. And to make it worse, Bush and Rove will fall back on placating their base with more rhetoric on things like Roe v. Wade, at a time when large majorities want Roe left alone, and the Supreme Court’s image has suffered.

And don't forget, if the Democrats retake the House and/or the Senate in 2006 Bush will be faced with one investigation after another and possible impeachment. His legacy may be end up being very similar to his archenemy Bill Clinton.

Note
Tonights Nelson Report talks about impeachment. I have the details over at Running Scared.