Choice and Accountability: "Bush has redefined conservatism." (Barone)

U.S. News & World Report | 12/15/03 | Michael Barone

[GulliverSwift]

Bush conservatism ping.

[GulliverSwift]

I don't think that amorphous ideology is driving his political agenda. I suspect he is the ultimate accommodationist, an appeaser without peer. Contrast his tepid, protean performance with the doctrinaire conservatism of Ronald Reagan.

You mean the same Reagan who raised taxes as a governor and president and who never signed any meaningful abortion legislation?

In reality, neither were/are as conservative as you'd like. Too many Freepers who weren't around back in the day don't realize that Reagan faced very similar complaints.

[GulliverSwift]

Goldwater got weak-kneed as he grew older. He undermined Nixon instead of trying to get him to tell the truth when it could've helped him.

Plus he went left-wing on abortion and homosexuality later as well. Some conservative.

[GulliverSwift]

I'm going to be starting a Bush conservatism ping list. Please let me know if you want to be on it. You don't have to agree with him, either.

I'd also appreciate if folks would ping me to any relevant articles since I can't freep 24/7 (Not yet anyway x-)

[GulliverSwift]

Goldwater was a loudmouthed dunce whose only contribution was that he allowed Reagan to introduce him. He had no concept of when to shut up (including leaking stuff to the media) and perpetually put his foot in his mouth.

I might agree that he paved the way for Ronnie but what a poor job he did of it.

Goldwater was more of Howard Dean than of Edmund Burke.

[Once-Ler]

Too bad Goldwater didn't shove the stake far enough into the chests of you vampires back in '64.

and another fringe right nut proves he loves only himself. You have no life in you, so you can not see the Holy Spirit that guides our President. I'll let you get back to looking in your mirror.

[bdeaner]

Please include me on your ping list! Thanks!

[bdeaner]

C'mon, now, let's be civil. We can have a reasoned debate here without resorting to personal insults.

[GulliverSwift]

Done.

[republicanwizard]

Oh please...

[IronJack]

I mean the same Reagan who gave his utmost effort to reduce the size of government -- ultimately failing in the end, defeated by the demons of NIMBY. I mean the same Reagan who put his faith in the US military and consequently drove the Soviet Union into bankruptcy. I mean the same Reagan who got government out of the business of business, whose "trickle-down" economics were given his name, and which were a triumph of free-market philosophies.

I mean the same Ronald Reagan who would not enter the Oval Office without a suit jacket out of reverence for what the office represented.

THAT is principle. THAT is ideology in action.

[FirstPrinciple]

Because whichever way the public swayed, that is the way Bush voted. I am giving him the benefit of doubt that he is actually a conservative and would have never supported such left-wing socialist agenda. If I wrongly give him the benefit of doubt, then he is actually a lefty socialist.

[FirstPrinciple]

How about allowing me to drop out of the system so I can take care of my own retirement needs? That is the not the kind of personal responsibility Bush is for.