How Obama can save the NSA

This shift in attitude among Republicans partly reflects the increasing appeal of libertarianism within the GOP and, more important, the almost universal lack of trust in Mr. Obama among Republicans. Only 12% of Republicans in a Nov. 11 Quinnipiac poll said Mr. Obama was trustworthy while 86% said he was not.

The NSA’s ability to track terrorist activity will require more than a successful appeal of Judge Leon’s decision to survive. The public needs to be reminded how vital—and constitutional—these efforts are to protecting America from terrorist attacks. That hasn’t happened much recently.

Even if Mr. Obama belatedly engages on this issue, his credibility has been diminished because of his repeated false statements on health care. The nation’s chief executive, in short, will need bipartisan help in explaining and defending these vital programs, principally from former CIA directors like Leon Panetta and Gen. Michael Hayden (who was also an NSA director), and former Attorneys General like Judge Michael Mukasey.