"House defies Bush over stem cell bill"

[mr blur]

"The House of Representatives defied George Bush last night and approved a bill loosening restrictions on stem cell research on human embryos, illustrating for the second time in as many days that the president is likely to face tough challenges from Congress during his second term."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,12271,1491535,00.html

Is this not a good sign that his power is not absolute?

[coloradodem2005]

1. The party falls apart.

[Lindacooks]

2. This is an excellent sign, and far overdue.

It's about damn time Congress started to do what the people want.

[personman]

3. Won't * just veto it? nt

[Sapphire Blue]

6. Yes, as he promised, and they don't have enough votes to override a veto.

[magellan]

4. What in the world came over them?

Can someone explain, please? It seems most out of character for the Repukes.

[MADem]

5. They realize a few things

The chimp is now a lame duck. He's also a liar about why we went to war, and their constituencies are waking up to that fact.

He has no successor. Frist was a strong possibility, before he threw his pissyFrist. Now, he has no claws.

Congress is polling at low numbers as an institution, thus putting their jobs in jeopardy. They need to stand apart, and be seen as representing the people.

Nancy Reagan and a bunch of quiet GOP stem cell supporters have been "on the phone."

In those circumstances, it is smart to be a maverick. They stand a better chance of keeping their jobs that way!

Bush will veto, but they have made their point, and he will be further marginalized as a consequence. If they can cough up a super majority, they can override him. I believe the count was slightly short of the needed number, but there's time to lobby if they have the will to drag the issue back to the floor.