Washington – There were several enlivening developments last week for Americans who fear their government, enthralled with power, is treading on their rights and liberties.
Al Gore’s spirited critique of the Bush administration’s “secret … pervasive wiretapping” was a highlight, but there was more. On Capitol Hill, leaders of both parties belatedly embraced proposals by Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.,and others to limit the corrupting influence of Washington’s powerful lobbying corps.
At the Supreme Court, a majority ruled that former Attorney General John Ashcroft exceeded his authority when trying to invalidate Oregon’s physician-assisted suicide law.
And Rep. John Shadegg, R-Ariz., who’s not been afraid to put his conservative principles ahead of party, campaigned against entrenched House leaders to replace indicted Rep. Tom DeLay, R-Texas, as House Majority Leader.
Gore spoke to the Liberty Coalition and the American Constitution Society. The coalition is a rare beast – an umbrella group for libertarians whose members span the ideological spectrum from right (Americans for Tax Reform, the Free Congress Foundation) to left (MoveOn.org). The former vice president brought them to their feet with a forceful delivery.
News reports focused on Gore’s criticism of President Bush who, he said, should face a congressional investigation for conducting an illegal eavesdropping program, and then lying about it. But Gore’s warning about executive power ranged beyond the man who beat him in 2000.
He scolded the meek and timid members of Congress. “Uphold your oath of office and defend the Constitution,” Gore said. “Stop going along to get along. Start acting like the independent and co-equal branch of government you’re supposed to be.”
Yet the ultimate responsibility lies with “we the people,” Gore noted, urging Americans to recover their confidence and shake off unreasoning fears of terrorism.
“The founders of our country faced dire threats. If they failed in their endeavors, they would have been hung,” he said. “Yet in the teeth of those dangers, they insisted on establishing the Bill of Rights.
“Is our Congress today in more danger than were their predecessors when the British Army was marching on the Capitol? Is the world more dangerous than when we faced an ideological enemy with tens of thousands of missiles poised to be launched against us?
“Is America in more danger now than when we faced worldwide fascism on the march?” Gore asked.
“It is simply an insult to those who came before us and sacrificed so much … to imply that we have more to be fearful of than they,” he said.
Gore blamed members of his own party for their roles as enablers of the secret eavesdropping.
“Democrats as well as Republicans in the Congress must share the blame for not taking action to protest,” Gore said. “The pitiful state of our legislative branch … explains the failure of our vaunted checks and balances.”
He reminded Republicans of one of the oldest rules of politics: what goes around, comes around.
President Bush has said that the crisis conditions that justify extreme measures will “last for the rest of our lives.” Surely the hapless Democrats should be able to elect a president or two, given that long a time span.
“Many conservatives have pointed out that granting unchecked power to this president means that the next president will have unchecked powers as well,” Gore said. “The next president may be someone whose values and belief you do not trust.”
Which raises the issue of Gore’s own future. His speech was honed and polished, obviously well-rehearse. Maybe he is contemplating a return to presidential politics.
Gore bridges divisions in the Democratic Party; as at home with conservatives as with lefties. He watches NASCAR, sings Nashville and speaks Ivy League. Aside from Dick Cheney, no American is as qualified, on paper, to serve in the Oval Office.
John Aloysius Farrell’s column appears each Sunday in Perspective.
