Posted on 06/15/2007 8:39:22 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
When the leading Republican candidate for president bemoans the lack of strong leadership these days, it's a pretty clear sign that the party is less than excited about its political prospects. Speaking at a rally in Wilmington, Del., Rudy Giuliani said the feeling that the country is on the wrong track shows a lack of leadership, according to The Associated Press. "What we're lacking is strong, aggressive, bold leadership, like we had with Ronald Reagan," Giuliani said.
In the recent AP-Ipsos poll, just 21 percent said the U.S. is heading in the right direction. When the Republican candidates gathered for last week's debate, they appeared to be putting some distance between themselves and President Bush. Courting the base of the party that has stood firm behind the president for the past 6 1/2 years, it may seem wise not to criticize the administration too much — but there are further signs cracks are developing.
Fundraising appears to be lagging for Republicans, a sign that there is less enthusiasm within the party and something that may hurt the GOP at all levels. Democratic presidential candidates have outraised Republicans by a wide margin so far. And, according to the AP, the president is having less success in that area as well. His annual fundraiser for congressional candidates took in just over $15 million this week. Last year's dinner raised $27 million.
And new numbers from the NBC/Wall Street Journal poll tell more.
According to the poll, just 62 percent of Republicans now approve of the president's performance, while 32 percent disapprove. The administration has angered many in the party by pushing an immigration reform bill that many in the GOP see as amnesty for the millions of immigrants currently in the country illegally.
With the notable exception of Sen. John McCain, the GOP field opposes the current legislation, which might help explain why, after months of signs of discontent with the candidates, 73 percent of Republicans in this poll say they are satisfied with their choices. Another reason for that number: Fred Thompson's campaign. He is in second in the poll, with 20 percent.
In 2000, Democrats faced the thorny issue of how to deal with attitudes toward then-President Clinton, whose relationship with Monica Lewinsky and the subsequent impeachment trial left many in that party wary of getting too close. Already in this cycle, it seems Republicans are facing something similar — Bush fatigue.
Seeing how supporting the Republican candidate the last two elections has worked out, I am leaning towards going third party.
BDS has become pandemic thanks to W’s suicidal shamnesty bill. Buh Bye Bush as far as I’m concerned (Never thought I’d say that even six months ago).
We got what we paid for. Bush has done one hell of a job protecting the country. He has made some major strides with the economy, mostly due to his tax cuts.
However, he is in heap big trouble with the base due to his insistence that a border amnesty deal must be passed.
This is his Achilles heel.
Bush stinks on ice nowadays, but it ain’t just him. Those backstabbing pocket-lining cretins infesting the GOP Senate are every bit the problem. I honestly cannot muster any strength to vote GOP, even here id red state Georgia. Chambliss is selling out too.
Until recently there was just a general sense of dissatisfaction in the GOP with Bush. It was same thing that many felt with Bush the elder was up for reelection.
We don’t dislike the man, we just don’t think he is up to the job and want him to go away.
That changed with the Immigration bill. For a whole lot of reasons, and from all across the political spectrum, Americans hate that bill and they hate the idea of Bush trying to shove it past our tonsils.
I'm done with the whole bunch, screw'em!!
Bush has all that, unfortunately he only uses it to please Mexico and the illegals, not for Americans or even the Republican Party.
Bush-lash?
I really can’t understand why President Bush’s opproval ratings are so low. Maybe it has something to do with him being a turd.
Well, we’ve got the President saying we don’t care about the country, and we’ve got the Republican whip in the Senate wanting to take our 1st Amendment rights away, and we’ve got the leadership of both parties sneaking around trying to pass legislation that is clearly against the will and interests of the American people.
I am beginning to think that voting for Republicans again in 2008 would be the wrong thing to do. Teddy Roosevelt would understand, as would Abraham Lincoln.
Except that later in the article it says that 73% of Republicans are satisfied with the current field of presidential candidates. I know I am. Any of the top three would make a good president and is capable of beating the Democrat competition. I would definitely be bummed if we had to live with Bush for more than another 1.5 years. But we don't.
A Republican “flip flop” right about now, FRom the President on down, on immigration “reform” would be a good thing!
A Republican “flip flop” right about now, FRom the President on down, on the Rules of Engagement in the War on Terror, would be a good thing!
A Republican “flip flop” right about now, FRom the President on down, on reducing the scope and size of government, would be a good thing!
A Republican “flip flop” right about now, FRom the President on down, on eliminating earmarks, would be a good thing!
A Republican “flip flop” right about now, FRom the President on down, wherein America quits kissing the ass of every two bit thug and strongman in the world would be a good thing!
A Republican “flip flop” right about now, FRom the President on down, on Iran and North Korea would be a good thing!
Those are just for starters. I’m sure that there are other issues that the Republicans, FRom the President on down, could “flip flop” over that might win back the confidence of the American people.
Your ideas?
Having said all that, I am not holding my breath for any Republican “flip flops!” With a few notable exceptions, Pubbies are scared of their own shadows.
And, after the Republican Party has destroyed itself, what are we going to do?
What will America do?
I never thought that in my lifetime (I am 66), I would see the US in such a state of disrepair. God help us!
Well said!
“BDS has become pandemic thanks to W’s suicidal shamnesty bill. Buh Bye Bush as far as I’m concerned”
My sentiments exactly!!
Received a summons for donation from RNC in tonights mail. “Please don’t tell me you’ve given up...that you’ve abandoned the Republican Party”. is the first line.
YUP!
Tossed it.
Amen to that .
Yes this is insane. I’ve never seen a party turn against it’s own base this way . It’s quite unnerving to say the least .
Maybe it’s time for there to be the formation of: THE CONSERVATIVE PARTY of America.
It’s not lack of leadership. Bush is trying to lead us off a cliff, so we’re not following.
I wonder how many of the negative replies in this thread so far are really liberals trying to sow discontent.
>>This is his Achilles heel.<<
What blows me away is the arrogance of a man who thinks that, because he was elected by the American people, the country belongs to him (not them) and is his to give away.
Thankfully the (insert expletive here) will be gone soon.
“I really can’t understand why President Bush’s opproval ratings are so low.”
I can’t understand why they’re so high. Who still supports this man? 62% of Republicans? Why? Just because he is one?
“Maybe it has something to do with him being a turd.”
Well, it probably doesn’t hurt.
What, you expected the "end of days" to be peachy and full odf sunshine? Step 1 phase in of Socialism and Communism. Phase 2 persecution of Christians.
Not I , my friend . I’m quite disappointed . Have you ever seen the Republican party turn against it’s base so militantly as it is doing now ?
Mail them back a turd.I think they will get the message.
“they appeared to be putting some distance between themselves and President Bush. Courting the base of the party that has stood firm behind the president for the past 6 1/2 years, it may seem wise not to criticize the administration too much — but there are further signs cracks are developing”.....CRACKS???....Yeah...the Grand Canyon is a crack.
And we the base will turn back on them!...who the hell do they think got them elected???
Yeah this makes no sense at all .
I don't agree with the WH position (fully) on the immigration issue....but we are selling ourselves down the river to middle/moderate America.
They won't come back in 08....if our base runs from GWB like the MSM is begging us to do (for differing reasons). The middle/moderate America is terribly informed and have to short an attention span to pay attention closely enough...
Amazing to watch the MSM triangulate us into our own cross fire...
” I wonder how many of the negative replies in this thread so far are really liberals trying to sow discontent. “
1. Shoving this piece of crap down our throats
2. Bush: we don’t want to do what’s right for America
3. Chertoff: We’d rather have them killed than let them stay
4. Graham: we’re bigots
5. Chavez: we’re racists
6. Lott: we’re a problem that needs to be dealt with
You have a pretty high tolerance level for getting kicked around, Dragonspirit. Or the White House is paying you.
Dream on. Ping the profiles if you dare.
I think the true believers have convinced themselves that a bunch of lawbreakers will become upstanding citizens and vote Republican. It's the worst case of mass delusion I've ever seen.
When polls show up to 80% opposed to the amnesty bill, I think we have most of "middle/moderate America" with us. US sure as hell isn't 80% conservative, so we have a lot of broad support among the electorate on this one.
My sentiments exactly!!
Amazing. Our party is lost. If a man can come into office, inherit a recession, inherit a stock market bubble, inherit an energy situation of increased prices.. Yet lead in turning that around for over 5 straight years of solid economic growth (while cutting taxes in the process for all Americans)....Then inherit a military that has been cut for 10 years, while dealing with the worst attack on our nations history by leading the world (a reluctant world...and DEM party) to stay on the offensive...
Remove two brutal and NS threat regimes in Iraq and Stan...Kill over 3/4 0f AQ original leadership (ditto that amount of their less effective replacements)...Move the offensive in this WOT throughout SE Asia and the Horn of Africa...while bringing the values of freedom and self-worth to the heart of the Middle East...
Not to mention appointing hundreds of good conservative judges and two excellent (by all accounts) judges to the SCOTUS.....Stand firm on the need to change Soc Sec with private accounts...
Yet, because we don't agree with him on Immigration (and he stands firm in what he believes in....A quality that should be admired...even when disagreeing with someone)...and we live in a modern era of bloated Gov't budgets...that was not going to reasonably change during a time of war and mandated entitlement programs.......we as a party say "Buy Bye"....to such a person.
Get something straight...in a thriving Limited Republic there needs to be room for disagreement within one's party. Without going off the deep end.
This man (CinC GWB) has led this nation well in a very troubled period. Do I agree with every decision he has made. No. But on the whole he has been d*mn fine.
R. Reagan would be considered a sellout a hundred times over had his administration been in office today (Flip-flopped on Soc Sec...raised FICA taxes, appointed the PC choice of the "LIB women" SDO to the SCOTUS, ran from Beirut, gave blanket amnesty to all illegals (no checks whatsoever)...
But the reality is on the whole R. Reagan was still a great leader and a great POTUS.
For me, I will never vote for a rino again.
Do you also believe because some foolish snap-shot polls suggest the Iraq war isn't worth fighting...we should cut-n-run??....
No, the problem is the American public isn't fully informed on the whole of our success and why we must stay in this fight.....That they say otherwise in a poll is meaningless to leadership...
“Yet, because we don’t agree with him on Immigration (and he stands firm in what he believes in....”
You must be living in one of the few states that has not been devistated by illegal immigration. The rest of us are suffering...hundreds and hundreds of cities from Boston to San Francisco.
No sale!!
“in a thriving Limited Republic there needs to be room for disagreement within one’s party. Without going off the deep end”....Would you please tell our “republican” president the same thing?
7. The minutemen are vigilantes
8. “We must not fear diversity” (meaning, you are a racist, a bad person, and you need to become someone who is not a racist, like me, then you would agree with me and my shamnesty crap I’m trying to shove down your throat).
Dragonspirit, are you one of the White House plants we’ve heard so much about? If not, you sure fit the bill.
Then why in God's name is he doing it?
Fine. I don't want to see the current bill passed as is either. But that doesn't mean in the process I want to help in destroying the man (GWB) and all the good he has done. And do what the DEMs/MSM have been disgustingly trying to do for the past 6 years.
A person can disagree with someone on an issue...and still recognize on the vast majority of other important issues (like staying on the offensive in the WOT, the need for Soc Sec reform, judges, etc) that we still agree and will fully back him. And we will not allow our own to be trashed by our opponents of such disgusting ilk as the DEMs/MSM of today.
Yet a segment of our base is doing exactly that. Thus allowing the MSM to rewrite history while it happens and say the WOT has been lost (it is a failure), the economy is bad (BS!), etc, etc.
Did you agree with R. Reagan increasing FICA taxes? Did you agree with R. Reagan making the PC choice of "LIB/Moderate" SDO to the SCOUTS, did you agree with blanket amnesty for ALL that R. Reagan gave out??......Is he a terrible POTUS because of doing the above?? SHould we help the MSM/DEMs trash him?
No sale! I left California after having lived there for 30 years, because it has been destroyed. Bush is an open borders nutcase, and he should be impeached for 6 years of deliberatly and maliciously NOT protecting our borders after 9/11.
He got the border bill passed. But, like most that live in D.C., He just does not see.
When someone jumps in the primary against Lindsey, I'm in for a donation. Who's with me?
Whoa...no quotation marks around "amnesty"!? Someone at CBS is going to be in big trouble.
Me too.
Just say NO to Illegal Alien Amnesty!! Keep calling!! It’s NOT OVER!!
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