“My question is, how much of a negative effect do you think the Bush administration has had on the current standing of the GOP in the minds of voters”
I think voters are war weary. This hurts Republicans.
W did the right thing to remove Saddam. The goal of the war was to prevent him from gaining WMD. Saddam will never have weapons of WMD.
There has been several phases to the Iraq War. Sunni insurgency, Al Quada central front, Anbar Awakening and now the Iranian gambit. W has persevered and it is possible that a military win is close at hand.
W has done a good job of preventing another 9/11. He has hurt Al Quada badly. He has not gained a knock out though.
The propaganda and abuse thrown at W has not been answered well. It would take a daily defense of policies to correct the effect of left wing propaganda.
I think W will be regarded well by history.
The best thing the Republican Party has going for it is left wing Democrats. A majority of voters will not consent to become slaves of the state.
“A majority of voters will not consent to become slaves of the state.”
I wish you were right, but I don’t think so.
I think Americans are only too willing to give up freedom for more security or a stimulus payment to pay for a softer couch upon which to watch American Idol.