Okay, let’s assume you trust this President. Let’s assume you think he’s made the right decisions and deserves our support1. Let’s assume you’re okay with giving this President the authority his administration says it needs.
Are you willing to hand that authority over to the next President? Are you willing to write a blank check to an administration that might not be so well-intentioned2?
Because that’s what Congress is doing. They haven’t just given George W. Bush the freedom to arrest and torture anyone he wants. They’ve given that freedom to the office of the President. You die-hard Republicans might want to think that over for a minute: is this really the sort of freedom you want to hand over to a Democrat?
Look, I think torture is repugnant and doesn’t work, and I think Congressional and judicial oversight of the President’s actions can only help the war on terror. But even if you disagree with me, the one thing you have to concede is this: George W. Bush won’t be President forever.
Would you give this unchecked authority to someone you didn’t want as your President?
1 I don’t see how you could think that, given his track record, but okay, I’ll accept it for the sake of argument.
2 Again, as far as I’m concerned, this administration is anything but well-intentioned, but okay, fine, whatever.