[richrussell]

Look, in the short-term we need to take some of the Democrats issues in order to win. Democrats who, in 2000, said 'both parties are the same' and voted for Ralph Nader helped elected George W. Bush. Ditto Republicans who voted for Ross Perot in 1992 which, of course, gave us Clinton.

Governing cannot be done, at least for now, with ideological purity.

Here is the goal we must have in mind. Win this election by an overwhelming margin, sweep the Democrats from the table, and then launch a coup within the GOP.

The thing restricting the adoption of more conservative policies is the need to win.

Look, I'm all for kicking the bastards the hell out. But that won't fly at election time. The people who will vote on that issue in the affirmative are grossly outnumbered by those who will vote in the negative.

[MineralMan]

"Look, in the short-term we need to take some of the Democrats issues in order to win. "

I've heard that. Trouble is that it looks more and more like the Bush Republicans are not just taking some of the Dem's issues. It looks like they're thinking and acting just like Democrats. Someone up in this thread said that this would be OK if Congress didn't pass it. What do you think the odds of that are? My guess is that they'll pass it easily. After all, Bush wants it. Why should they vote against it.

[AmericanInTokyo]

In theory, it works.

Problem is, in praxis, it is destined to abject failure. We have tried and tried and tried for years with this approach, only to be defeated on important issues by our own GOP, many of them moderates and appeasers and in firm control. At least if you have been around as long as I and many others, it gets old after a while. Really. Very old.

Think about it. Who amongst us truly likes to be taken for granted and treated as a sap? That their vote, a sacred trust, is quite frankly regarded by certain machiavellian GOP pinstripes in the West Wing or Old Executive Office Building with a kind of mindset and snotty attitude akin to "Well, boss, even with all the pissing and moaning out there, why they'll still have to shut up and vote for us in November what with the alternative. Where do they have to go?"

Here is someone just plain TIRED of being treated that way by certain GOP who gain office.

Things change.

They MUST, for conservatives and patriots.

Now WE, the base, issue ORDERS to THEM for a change.

[Fishrrman]

richrussell writes:
Look, I'm all for kicking the bastards the hell out. But that won't fly at election time. The people who will vote on that issue in the affirmative are grossly outnumbered by those who will vote in the negative.

I wonder what percentage of the illegals who were excused under the Reagan amnesty now "vote Republican"?

Probably not very many.

Why should those excused by the Bush amnesty behave otherwise?

I will _never_ vote Democratic again (well, if Zell Miller was to run against Bush, I might reconsider). But if the amnesty goes through, I could well "sit on my hands" come the '04 election. As I suspect many others might do as well.

Cheers!
- John

[Orange1998]

Nader helped elected George W. Bush. Ditto Republicans who voted for Ross Perot in 1992 which, of course, gave us Clinton.

How right Perot was about the sucking sound in the economy, too bad no one listened.

[churchillbuff]

Look, I'm all for kicking the bastards the hell out.

No you're not -- or you wouldn't be making excuses for Bush's pandering on the illegal issue.

[Rebelbase]

"Here is the goal we must have in mind. Win this election by an overwhelming margin, sweep the Democrats from the table, and then launch a coup within the GOP."

The thoughts of Bush doing the right thing once his reelection is wrapped up and he has congress is null and void with this amnesty proposal and you will know its fantasy when is renews the Assault Weapons Ban.

IMO, Bush is setting up a Dynasty, from which he will puppet master the strings as head of he Republican Party from now until he chooses. Call me tin foil, but how else can we explain the Patriot Act, massive spending on Medicaid and 8 million new Bush voters added?