Congress shows rare intelligence on Intel reform

A Successful Failure

Congress wrapped up its weekend lame-duck session without passing intelligence reform, and you will no doubt be reading outraged editorials and political moans that the country is now less safe. Don't believe it. The opposite may be closer to the truth, since the proposed reshuffling of the intelligence bureaucracies would have taken months, if not years, to carry out -- and certainly would have turned some of our spy agencies' attention away from the actual collection and analysis of intelligence.

The proposal at hand was the pet project of the 9/11 Commission and was rushed nearly to passage because no one was politically brave enough to say no in an election year. That includes President Bush, who reverted to his farm bill/McCain-Feingold/Medicare drug bill negotiating mode of indicating he'd sign anything just to get the issue off the table. This is one of Mr. Bush's least appealing leadership, or shall we say non-leadership, traits.[The Ponderosa: We agree.]

Credit goes to a few House Republicans, notably California's Duncan Hunter, who were willing to resist the pressure to surrender merely so the Beltway political class could declare a "victory," no matter the future unintended consequences. Some Members are still lobbying for one more lame-duck push next month, as if waiting a few more months will make a huge difference. If this reform is really so vital, it will get done, but better to do it in more considered fashion next year.

Legislation -- particularly that which involves the massive overhaul of existing systems -- crafted and enacted in haste usually results in a bad product. Witness the Transportation Safety Authority.

We were heartened when the president initially signalled his reticence to sign off on the 9/11 Commission's recommendations without responsible analysis -- before caving to his opponent's irresponsible politically motivated carping (come to think of it, Kerry-Heinz's whole campaign was irresponsible politically motivated carping and sniping).

Thankfully, House Republicans resisted the temptation to do the politically expedient in favor of a thorough examination of the recommendations and we are positive more sensible and effective reforms will result.