Throughout his presidency, George W. Bush was castigated by congressional Democrats for his willingness to enlarge the executive power. Then-Sen. Russell D. Feingold of Wisconsin, for example, called him "King George Bush."
Former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson is now hovering near the top of the heap of Republican presidential hopefuls in most polls, but critics say he will begin a precipitous descent when more primary voters learn more about his record.
