I think the Left's position has more to do with smelling a Bush defeat than anything else. They like this issue because it fits a nice meme that Bushco is more concerned about contracts than national security. The issue is less important than the fact that it can be used to divide the Republican party, which it is clearly doing. This issue really does have to hurt if one is a conservative Republican.

(Bush is now reported to not have seen the deal until after it was a done deal. How conveeeeeeeeeeeeennnnnient.)