Setting up a showdown that could end up before the Supreme Court, President Bush is saying that he will fight the subpoenas approved by the House Judiciary subcommittee on commercial and administrative law.

By voice vote, the House Judiciary subcommittee on commercial and administrative law decided to compel the president’s top aides to testify publicly and under oath about their roles in the firings.

The White House has refused to budge in the controversy, standing by embattled Attorney General Alberto Gonzales and insisting that the firings were appropriate. White House spokesman Tony Snow said that in offering aides to talk to the committees privately, Bush had sought to avoid the “media spectacle” that would result from public hearings with Rove and others at the witness table.

Of course the left wants the “media spectacle” and their base is clamoring for it.

For his part, Bush remained resolute.

Would he fight Democrats in court to protect his aides against congressional subpoenas?

“Absolutely,” Bush declared.

Bush said Tuesday he worried that allowing testimony under oath would set a precedent on the separation of powers that would harm the presidency as an institution.

The President is absolutely correct in this.

Beyond the issues of this situation however, I’m am just hoping to see the administration and the Republicans in Congress to take a stand. On anything.

That in itself would be a very refreshing change.