if the president can "legally" spy domestically on the citizens, what would keep him from spying on candidates

um... did you even think before posting this? Bush was not "spying" on average Americans, he was spying on potential terrorists after he had right to suspect that they WERE terrorists... and wouldn't you rather he do that then these terrorists blow up another building and it have your mother or daughter or brother in it? COME ON.. think LOGICALLY for once in your liberal life. Second, WHY in the Hell would Bush want to spy on Kerry? Kerry lost the election by himself, he was a big boy and did it all by himself

There were agents of the White House that broke into Democratic Headquarters because they knew something 'dirty' was going on. Only thing was, there was no such thing as the Patriot Act then.

No, Bush did not spy on Kerry and there was never any indication of that. What good would it do him? Although, I do believe in the best interest of both parties, their contributors should have to be listed and the amounts of money that they give for each party ticket, don't you? That way everyone knows who is supporting which party. Bush would never say it's in the national interest, because it isn't and he knows it.

The act done by Bush was not legal when done. It was made legal by Congress after the act. That does not change the fact that it was done without laws to give the President that power. Republicans think when they break the law as Bush did, they can just make a new law and that's OK. It's not. Recently a Girl was visited by the FBI, she posted a comment about Bush, they took her computer.

Since Congress passed the law this is now legal. It was not legal when Bush used that NSA program before Congress approved the use of that NSA program.

That is certainly a legitimate point, without warrant they do not need to give a reason for spying on an opponent. Bush doesn't even need to say in the case of national security. There is no expectation that the government will divulge motives for spying on citizens.

Thank you Patriot act!

By the way there is no clause that states you can only spy on suspected terrorists. It is now legal to spy on anybody by way of accessing phone records, financial, medical records, etc. There is no warrant process which allows the government to infringe upon anybodies privacy without giving a motive or explanation.

If you would just listen and learn instead of jumping to conclusions about all this , you would see that the allegations your making about "spy domestically on the citizens" is a bunch of BS. Kerry screwed his self with his own mouth, the whole world heard it, so why would you think it would even be necessary to spy on him, he screwed up himself. If they had been spying on the candidates back when JFK was running for President, the world would not be in the shape it is in today.

Candidates have always had their ways of keeping tabs on their opponents; I don't think there's any need to spy more than what is done already. Besides, Bush was probably pretty confident in his positions and campaign- a true characteristic of the stubbornly ignorant. Also, what was there to spy on in Kerry's campaign? Was there anything going on in there at all?

Now spying on political dissidents and revolutionaries-- that's of more importance, it does and will happen, and the government has gotten and will get away with it. Any political discourse outside of the corporate Democratic-Republican ping-pong table is effectively squashed.

First of all, Nixon resigned; he was NOT impeached. Like most liberals, your ignorance allows you to be led astray. Check the facts for yourself before displaying your ignorance to the masses.

Secondly, Nixon didn't "spy" on anyone. He conspired in a breakin plot of a campaign headquarters.... so, you're wrong again.

Finally, the review of telephone RECORDS.. not conversations... has been done for national security for nearly forty years, when it was started by Jimmy Carter and even enjoyed by Bill Clinton long before George W became President.

It is no wonder conservatives view liberals as idiots. You people believe every liberal lie that the news media and liberal politicians spout on a daily basis. My God man! GIT SUM BOOK LERNIN' on your own!

Hmmm, I seem to remember Kerry was spying on Bush's campaign. Ties to Dan Rather.

That is a valid concern. What about using this spying ability to check up on businesses that rival those that the president has interest in? Hey, national security. They don't even have to explain how it is national security. They just have to say the two magic words.

I do not agree with giving the government a blank check to do whatever they please. There are too many people who will abuse it.

I am a Republican I voted for Bush twice & yes of course everyone spies on each other Police cruise this site & other chat sites looking for Pedophiles WE all better get used to it