[Kevin Curry]

You really need to take some deep breaths, calm down, and think this through. Bush could lose in November. It is possible. What then? My life as a conservative will continue. In fact I have every reason to believe that my life as a conservative will be enriched--not impoverished. There is a vitality that comes with holding the high ground of effective opposition.

I might not have this confidence or belief if the Democrats were in control of Congress or even presented a deep threat of retaking Congress. But I am confident the Democrats are settling into the trough of the cycle of power in Congress and will remain there for at least ten years regardless of which party holds the White House. This is our opportunity as conservatives to finally destroy discredited liberal progressivism as an effective force---but we cannot and will not achieve this by simultaneously reviving and recloaking big goverment progressivism as "compassionate conservatism" on our own side!

We are not a nation ruled by kings or dictators for life. The cult of personality is not a sound foundation on which build and maintain a free society. The long term health of this nation is greater than short-term plans and "compassionate conservative" nonsense of George W. Bush and his unthinking supporters.

At the same time, I want to hold out hope that President Bush will come to his senses and turn back from the dangerous direction he has steered us. He still holds the prime and best position to see and guide our way clear to smaller government in the way that Reagan envisioned but was unable to achieve due to Democrat and Rockefeller Republican resistence to it.

[EllaMinnow]

Of course it's possible that he could lose.

You want him to, I don't.

Was your life better when Clinton was president? If so, I pity you, honestly.

[dmzTahoe]

Great writing, Kevin.

Bush and his advisors toss the conservative base an occasional bone when they hear the grumblings of unrest.

For example, Pickering's appointment after the illegal immigration bedacle and his "budget reduction" makeover after additional funding to the NEA.

He got a free ride from mounted criticism about CFR and his Education Bill because of 9/11.

Now watch what happens in the next few weeks when he extends unemployment benefits...we can expect another bone to be tossed our way. The Bushbots will eat it up, forgive and forget, and say "see, he's a conservative".

[NYCVirago]

The long term health of this nation is greater than short-term plans and "compassionate conservative" nonsense of George W. Bush and his unthinking supporters.

And the long-term health of this nation cannot afford another Democrat who's going to kowtow to the UN and be soft on terrorism.