Presidential Power, Constitutional Limits

Knight Ridder published an accessible article on the constitutionality of domestic spying ordered by the president.

WASHINGTON - The dispute over President Bush's domestic spying program hinges on the same tough question that vexed the nation's founders: How much power does a president have?

Bush and his legal advisers argue that the Constitution and federal law give him the right to authorize domestic eavesdropping without a warrant from a court or specific approval from Congress. The electronic surveillance, conducted by the super-secret National Security Agency, is aimed at communications between the United States and suspected terrorists overseas.

Bush's critics, citing the same legal sources, charge that he exceeded his legal and constitutional authority and could be impeached for breaking the law.

Here's a look at the legal underpinnings of the controversy:

Click on through to read the article, and to find links to other sources.