American Prospect Online - Better Late Than Never

Robert Kuttner, American Prospect: Better Late Than Never: "Last week, the Senate Intelligence Committee, one of the most ardent protectors of the administration, was forced to release a report documenting once and for all that there was zero connection between al-Qaeda and Saddam Hussein, and that the administration had stupidly relied on self-serving 'intelligence' claims from exile Iraqi pretender Ahmad Chalabi and his henchmen. This report was released over the objection of the committee's chairman, Pat Roberts, an ardent administration apologist, because two other Republican moderates, Senators Chuck Hagel and Olympia J. Snowe, voted with committee Democrats that the information be made public.

And on Wednesday in the House, the Republican leadership of a subcommittee of the Government Reform Committee took lengthy and detailed testimony from the Inspector General of the Interior Department on the festering corruption and incompetence at that agency. The administration's plain contempt for the ordinary functions of government and its use of the executive branch to enrich cronies and reward allied industries have become too grotesque even for its usual defenders on Capitol Hill. Even with an election approaching -- perhaps because it is approaching and some Republicans fear for their seats as well as their consciences -- there will be more such rebellions.

The founders of this republic wisely gave us separate branches of government as checks and balances against tyranny. They may not have imagined Dick Cheney, but they were familiar with his kind. The self respect of Congress has been battered these nearly six long years, but it is coming back to life just in time."