Kennedy: Bush undercuts his own argument about the importance of surveillance legislation

Sen. Ted Kennedy, the great liberal lion, just made a powerful point that I had not considered in such terms before, and in doing so, identified the key contradiction of Bush's demand for telecom immunity.

Kennedy reminded the senate that the president has insisted that broad, unchecked powers to spy on U.S. citzens are crucial to keeping Americans safe. Yet, Bush says that if congress sends him a surveillance bill that does not include telecom immunity, he will veto it.

Therefore, the only conclusion we can draw is that Bush thinks protecting the telecoms is more important than protecting Americans.

This is plainly true. Thanks to Sen. Kennedy for making the point.