Advertisement

U.S. wiretap ruling stirs political pot

WASHINGTON, Aug. 19 (UPI) -- A federal court ruling striking down U.S. warrantless wiretaps has set off heated political jousting between Republican and Democrats.

Reaction to Friday's ruling that eavesdropping without a warrant violates the Constitution is expected to become an election-year issue.

Advertisement

The favorable response to the ruling from some Democratic leaders is already being spun by Republican strategists into a message that the Dems are soft on terrorism, the Washington Post reported Saturday.

The Republican National Committee issued a news release Friday announcing the opposition "rejoices" at the ruling by a "liberal" judge appointed to the bench by former President Carter.

The Democrats countered the GOP was using divisive politics to bolster their political fortunes.

The topic is expected to be part of the weekly Sunday morning talk shows and provide fodder for editorialists and talk radio for the immediate future, the Post said.

Latest Headlines