Obstacle in Chief

THERE are several reasons for the Bush administration to fear—indeed, to dread-the possibility of a Democratic takeover of the Senate in 2006. Chairman Leahy of the Judiciary Committee is one. Chairman Rockefeller of the Intelligence Committee is another. But perhaps the most consequential, at least in terms of national security, would be Chairman Levin of the Armed Services Committee. Just mention the prospect of Sen. Carl Levin, Democrat from Michigan, overseeing the Pentagon-and therefore much of the War on Terror-and it’s enough to send a chill down administration spines.

Certainly, there are several Democrats who strongly oppose the administration’s national-security policies. But much of that opposition is rhetorical. Levin, on the other hand, works hard to actually block some of those policies. Inside the Bush administration, and among Republicans on Capitol Hill, Levin has won the reputation of being perhaps the chief congressional obstacle to prosecuting the War on Terror.

About the Author

Byron York

Byron York is a former White House correspondent for National Review.

Featured Tags

Manage following

George W. Bush

Department of Defense

THERE are several reasons for the Bush administration to fear—indeed, to dread-the possibility of a Democratic takeover of the Senate in 2006. Chairman Leahy of the Judiciary Committee is one. Chairman Rockefeller of the Intelligence Committee is another. But perhaps the most consequential, at least in terms of national security, would be Chairman Levin of the Armed Services Committee. Just mention the prospect of Sen. Carl Levin, Democrat from Michigan, overseeing the Pentagon-and therefore much of the War on Terror-and it’s enough to send a chill down administration spines.

Certainly, there are several Democrats who strongly oppose the administration’s national-security policies. But much of that opposition is rhetorical. Levin, on the other hand, works hard to actually block some of those policies. Inside the Bush administration, and among Republicans on Capitol Hill, Levin has won the reputation of being perhaps the chief congressional obstacle to prosecuting the War on Terror.