September was supposed to be “security month” for Republicans. On Congress’s second day back in session, that effort is already falling apart on Capitol Hill.

“GOP Senators Differ with President on Military Trials,” the Washington Post reported today on page A3. Next page over is another headline: “Republican Rift Over Wiretapping Widens.”

Two articles about Republican division and nary a Democrat in sight!

And the New York Times reports today that GOP candidates from Washington to Connecticut to Virginia to New Jersey are calling for Donald Rumsfeld to step down as defense secretary.

If security is still a winning issue for Republicans, why are GOP candidates in tight election races across the country distancing themselves from President Bush?