George W. Bush has been extremely successful at getting his way with Congress, perhaps legislating more effectively than any President since Lyndon Johnson. There could be dire consequences to this strongarming, however, as CQ Weekly's Craig Crawford notes in his column this week.

This is how a top Republican lawmaker sums up President Bush’s attitude toward Congress: “Come let us reason together — and do it my way.” He meant to be critical, but the observation also shows how Bush gets things done — in Congress, and in the world at large.

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[H]is “my way or the highway” leadership style is wearing thin for the second term, especially among conservative Republicans. On Social Security, budget deficits and immigration policy, many could publicly break ranks with him.

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Some Republicans who are friendly to Bush’s [Social Security] plan, but not to the idea of making wealthier taxpayers contribute more, now privately hope it goes away without a vote. They fear that the president will go too far to win the Democratic votes he’ll need to thwart a Senate filibuster.

“If we get investment accounts by increasing taxes on our base voters, forget about it,” one GOP staffer said.

House Republicans don't want a vote on privatization? They just want it to go away? Why, then, would any Democrat be willing to deal on Social Security? It makes no sense, whatsoever.

If Carper, Lieberman, or any other Senate Dem caves on this issue, a primary challenge will not just be acceptable, it will be necessary.