The Washington Post's Jonathan Weisman and Ceci Connolly report on yet another case of the strategic cynicism of Bush and his Rebublican Party.

As Republican leaders in Congress move to trim billions of dollars from the Medicaid health program, they are simultaneously intervening to save the life of possibly the highest-profile Medicaid patient: Terri Schiavo.

The Schiavo case may put a human face on the problem of rising medical costs, both at the state and federal levels. In Florida, where Gov. Jeb Bush (R) is pushing a dramatic restructuring of the Medicaid program, the cost of Schiavo's care has become political fodder. In Washington, where a fight over Medicaid spending threatens to scuttle the 2006 budget plan, the role of the program in preserving Schiavo's life is beginning to receive attention.

"At every opportunity, [House Majority Leader] Tom DeLay has sanctimoniously proclaimed his concern for the well-being of Terri Schiavo, saying he is only trying to ensure she has the chance 'we all deserve,' " the liberal Center for American Progress said in a statement Monday, echoing complaints of Democratic lawmakers and medical ethicists. "Just last week, DeLay marshaled a budget resolution through the House of Representatives that would cut funding for Medicaid by at least $15 billion, threatening the quality of care for people like Terri Schiavo."

Is it at all surprising that the Republican Party is willing to overstep all Constitutional bounds to overturn due course of law in order to save a woman to appease a small portion of its anti-choice base while at the same time cut benefits to her and millions of others? No.

The fact is that this is the most deeply cynical administrations in American history when it comes to the dissonance between its words and its actions. They know exactly what they are doing in their attempt to mislead (not spin) the American people. If the latest polls are to be trusted, they might have gone a little too far this time, and they just might pay for it come election day.