GOP Moderates in Agony Over Key Votes

Moderates in the GOP are dreading upcoming votes that will force them to choose between loyalty to their president and their reelection prospects, the Washington Post reports. Upcoming congressional showdowns on the Iraq war, children’s health care, and spending will be particularly perilous to those facing voters next fall. “We are at a very significant juncture,” said one representative. “I’d use a metaphor… about something hitting the fan.”

Republican support could overcome promised vetoes of Democratic proposals to guarantee downtime for troops and spend on border security and emergency preparedness. Republicans fall on both sides of those votes, but few are finding the choices palatable. “It's not whether we'll stand with the president,” said one Representative, “but with the principles that minted the majority in 1994.” (More Bush approval ratings stories.)