Posted on 10/10/2005 12:37:09 PM PDT by quidnunc
"Read my lips: no new taxes." These six words ultimately led to what conservatives have come to see as one of the worst betrayals in the annals of political history. As Dick Armey - who as it happens was the Texas congressman who had led the rebellion over President Bush's tax hike - might say, "the President couldn't have been this wrong by accident."
Let's look back at 1990. Even before the tax hike the President's conservative base was restless. A row over funding for the National Endowment for the Arts and signs of a sagging economy had created a political environment perfect for the creation of Monday morning quarterbacks. Even in the the aftermath of a 90% approval rating over his handling of the Gulf War, critics on the right were already charging that the President had cut and run too soon before finishing off Saddam Hussein.
But in 1990 it was too early to tell that a greater breach of trust would come into being--David Souter, Supreme Court Justice. While there were a few writers at the time who questioned Souter's record, when the decision was initially announced most stories read like the Washington Times article reporting that Souter's selection "would help rehabilitate Mr. Bush's tarnished image among some supporters on the right…" and was "likely to solidify the high court's fragile conservative bloc." Others news organs such as Human Events ran a story proclaiming "Conservative Legal Experts Impressed with Souter's Credentials," and speculated Souter would "significantly advance the conservative thrust of the High Court."
In fact, the only real opposition came from the far left. Edward Kennedy called Souter's record on civil rights "particularly troubling;" labeled some of his arguments "reactionary;" and said his past comments regarding Roe v. Wade were "alarming."
As Yogi Berra might opine, "It's Déjà vu all over again." Today President Bush faces criticism about a spiraling budget deficit and complaints about his handling of the economy. Critics attack his prosecution of the war in Iraq and he's facing open criticism about his nominee to the Supreme Court before she's heard the first oral argument.
-snip-
Harriet Miers will bring to the Supreme Court her knowledge of the critical issues facing our country today and fully informed view of the political branches on these issues. We need a judge on the Supreme Court who brings these new perspectives to the table, and together with her stellar accomplishments in her legal career it is obvious that she is a well qualified candidate.
Nobody has mentioned the importance of having somebody who is familiar with the issues involved in the War on Terror on the SCOTUS.
Let's face it, the WOT is more important than Roe v. Wade.
Roe v Wade is terrorism if you're an unborn child.
"Let's face it, the WOT is more important than Roe v. Wade."
I have to agree with you on that, since overturning Roe v. Wade won't necessarily end abortion. I am hoping she will work out all right, but am waiting to see.
The parallels between Bush 41 and 43 are considerable. In both cases, Bush betrayed his conservative base. In both cases, that conservative base left him. In both cases, it was no single decision, but a raft of anti-conservative decisions.
The article above relates many of Bush 41 mistakes, but I would like to add one more: he supported the Brady 3 day waiting period and background check (this has since been replaced by the NRA-supported instant check). He defended the Jack Booted Thugs (the ATF), and he generally supported Sara Brady.
In the case of Bush 43, the firestorm of Hariet Meirs is not about a single issue, IMHO. It is simply the straw that broke the camel's back. Perhaps that is why Bush is surprised; he didn't realize that his base was doing a slow burn because:
1. He has failed to secure the borders against illegal immigration.
2. No child left behind and consequences.
3. Spiraling government spending and consequently, debt.
4. Medicaid prescription drug benetit and huge cost increases.
5. Huge spending to rebuild New Orleans, even though it is crazy to build a city below sea level in a hurricane prone area.
After a while, we have just had enough.
And, just like Bush 41, we will simply stay home.
"Let's face it, the WOT is more important than Roe v. Wade."
I have to disagree. Abortion is just one facet of the real danger to America, the left. It's not easy fighting terrorists, hiding themselves even amongst us. But, we have people working to defeat America from within the halls of our towns, our colleges, our congresses; the list goes on and on. That's an even harder fight.
If we get a justice who understands the issues with the war on terrorism, that's great. But we need a justice who understands the importance of the Constitution. Hopefully we'll get both, but I would take the latter before the former.
And, just like Bush 41, his son won't get a second term.
And, just like Bush 41, his son won't get a second term.
Totally unrelated since the right candidate would understand both issues. It's not an "either-or" proposition.
I hope the "common man" Miers gets in the Court and shakes the hell out of a body that just decided "eminent domain."
Perhaps she's SO familiar she'll be recusing herself from those important cases.
They have gloves on.
And where are the nunchucks?
Exactly. What most concerns me is that she has no apparent framework for deciding constitutional issues. Roe is a good benchmark for me, because on an intellectual level, Roe v. Wade has no support in the Constitution.
Sure - the lawyer for the man who used eminent domain to build a baseball stadium. Good luck.
Miers will have to recuse herself from a lot of WOT cases, because she has been involved in them.
".. the firestorm of Hariet Meirs is not about a single issue, IMHO. It is simply the straw that broke the camel's back."
My thoughts exactly.
great points.
Believe it or not, there is a connection. Europe had made their Muslim future assured by their low birth rate. The United States is hovering around replacement rate. We have to depend on immigration to sustain us. Our abortion is going to seriously damage us longterm in the WOT.
LOL! and therefore, a third term is highly unlikely as well.
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