So you think George W. Bush is not a conservative?

ED. NOTE: On Tuesday evening, January 20, 2004, the President of the United States gave one of the most conservative State of the Union addresses in at least a generation. For a SOTU speech, it had a remarkably short spending wish list. Instead, it had passages such as those excerpted below — none of which would have been spoken by a Democrat or liberal (i.e., Leftist), or even a "RINO." Check it out:

Our greatest responsibility is the active defense of the American people. Twenty-eight months have passed since September 11th, 2001 — over two years without an attack on American soil. And it is tempting to believe that the danger is behind us. That hope is understandable, comforting — and false.

The once all-powerful ruler of Iraq was found in a hole, and now sits in a prison cell. Of the top 55 officials of the former regime, we have captured or killed 45. Our forces are on the offensive, leading over 1,600 patrols a day and conducting an average of 180 raids a week. We are dealing with these thugs in Iraq, just as surely as we dealt with Saddam Hussein's evil regime.

Because of American leadership and resolve, the world is changing for the better. Last month, the leader of Libya voluntarily pledged to disclose and dismantle all of his regime's weapons of mass destruction programs, including a uranium enrichment project for nuclear weapons.

Nine months of intense negotiations involving the United States and Great Britain succeeded with Libya, while 12 years of diplomacy with Iraq did not. And one reason is clear: For diplomacy to be effective, words must be credible, and no one can now doubt the word of America.

Many of our troops are listening tonight. And I want you and your families to know: America is proud of you. And my administration, and this Congress, will give you the resources you need to fight and win the war on terror.

I know that some people question if America is really in a war at all. They view terrorism more as a crime, a problem to be solved mainly with law enforcement and indictments. After the World Trade Center was first attacked in 1993, some of the guilty were indicted and tried and convicted, and sent to prison. But the matter was not settled. The terrorists were still training and plotting in other nations, and drawing up more ambitious plans. After the chaos and carnage of September the 11th, it is not enough to serve our enemies with legal papers. The terrorists and their supporters declared war on the United States, and war is what they got.

Some critics have said our duties in Iraq must be internationalized. This particular criticism is hard to explain to our partners in Britain, Australia, Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, Thailand, Italy, Spain, Poland, Denmark, Hungary, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Romania, the Netherlands — (applause) — Norway, El Salvador, and the 17 other countries that have committed troops to Iraq. As we debate at home, we must never ignore the vital contributions of our international partners, or dismiss their sacrifices.

From the beginning, America has sought international support for our operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, and we have gained much support. There is a difference, however, between leading a coalition of many nations, and submitting to the objections of a few. America will never seek a permission slip to defend the security of our country.

We also hear doubts that democracy is a realistic goal for the greater Middle East, where freedom is rare. Yet it is mistaken, and condescending, to assume that whole cultures and great religions are incompatible with liberty and self-government. I believe that God has planted in every human heart the desire to live in freedom. And even when that desire is crushed by tyranny for decades, it will rise again.

In the last three years, adversity has also revealed the fundamental strengths of the American economy. We have come through recession, and terrorist attack, and corporate scandals, and the uncertainties of war. And because you acted to stimulate our economy with tax relief, this economy is strong, and growing stronger.

You have doubled the child tax credit from $500 to $1,000, reduced the marriage penalty, begun to phase out the death tax, reduced taxes on capital gains and stock dividends, cut taxes on small businesses, and you have lowered taxes for every American who pays income taxes.

Americans took those dollars and put them to work, driving this economy forward. The pace of economic growth in the third quarter of 2003 was the fastest in nearly 20 years; new home construction, the highest in almost 20 years; home ownership rates, the highest ever. Manufacturing activity is increasing. Inflation is low. Interest rates are low. Exports are growing. Productivity is high, and jobs are on the rise.

These numbers confirm that the American people are using their money far better than government would have — and you were right to return it.

We're requiring higher standards [in schools]. We are regularly testing every child on the fundamentals. We are reporting results to parents, and making sure they have better options when schools are not performing.

We must continue to pursue an aggressive, pro-growth economic agenda. Congress has some unfinished business on the issue of taxes. The tax reductions you passed are set to expire. Unless you act — (applause) — unless you act — unless you act, the unfair tax on marriage will go back up. Unless you act, millions of families will be charged $300 more in federal taxes for every child. Unless you act, small businesses will pay higher taxes. Unless you act, the death tax will eventually come back to life. Unless you act, Americans face a tax increase. What Congress has given, the Congress should not take away. For the sake of job growth, the tax cuts you passed should be permanent.

Our agenda for jobs and growth must help small business owners and employees with relief from needless federal regulation, and protect them from junk and frivolous lawsuits.

Consumers and businesses need reliable supplies of energy to make our economy run — so I urge you to pass legislation to modernize our electricity system, promote conservation, and make America less dependent on foreign sources of energy.

My administration is promoting free and fair trade to open up new markets for America's entrepreneurs and manufacturers and farmers — to create jobs for American workers. Younger workers should have the opportunity to build a nest egg by saving part of their Social Security taxes in a personal retirement account. We should make the Social Security system a source of ownership for the American people.

In two weeks, I will send you a budget that funds the war, protects the homeland, and meets important domestic needs, while limiting the growth in discretionary spending to less than 4 percent. This will require that Congress focus on priorities, cut wasteful spending, and be wise with the people's money. By doing so, we can cut the deficit in half over the next five years.

Tonight, I also ask you to reform our immigration laws so they reflect our values and benefit our economy.

I oppose amnesty, because it would encourage further illegal immigration, and unfairly reward those who break our laws. My temporary worker program will preserve the citizenship path for those who respect the law, while bringing millions of hardworking men and women out from the shadows of American life.

[ED. NOTE: The precedent for guest worker programs goes back at least to the Eisenhower administration.]

In January of 2006, seniors can get prescription drug coverage under Medicare. For a monthly premium of about $35, most seniors who do not have that coverage today can expect to see their drug bills cut roughly in half. Under this reform, senior citizens will be able to keep their Medicare just as it is, or they can choose a Medicare plan that fits them best — just as you, as members of Congress, can choose an insurance plan that meets your needs. And starting this year, millions of Americans will be able to save money tax-free for their medical expenses in a health savings account.

On the critical issue of health care, our goal is to ensure that Americans can choose and afford private health care coverage that best fits their individual needs.

Small businesses should be able to band together and negotiate for lower insurance rates, so they can cover more workers with health insurance. I urge you to pass association health plans. I ask you to give lower-income Americans a refundable tax credit that would allow millions to buy their own basic health insurance.

To protect the doctor-patient relationship, and keep good doctors doing good work, we must eliminate wasteful and frivolous medical lawsuits. And tonight I propose that individuals who buy catastrophic health care coverage, as part of our new health savings accounts, be allowed to deduct 100 percent of the premiums from their taxes.

A government-run health care system is the wrong prescription. By keeping costs under control, expanding access, and helping more Americans afford coverage, we will preserve the system of private medicine that makes America's health care the best in the world.

One of the worst decisions our children can make is to gamble their lives and futures on drugs. Our government is helping parents confront this problem with aggressive education, treatment, and law enforcement. Drug use in high school has declined by 11 percent over the last two years. Four hundred thousand fewer young people are using illegal drugs than in the year 2001.

A strong America must also value the institution of marriage. I believe we should respect individuals as we take a principled stand for one of the most fundamental, enduring institutions of our civilization. Congress has already taken a stand on this issue by passing the Defense of Marriage Act, signed in 1996 by President Clinton. That statute protects marriage under federal law as a union of a man and a woman, and declares that one state may not redefine marriage for other states.

Activist judges, however, have begun redefining marriage by court order, without regard for the will of the people and their elected representatives. On an issue of such great consequence, the people's voice must be heard. If judges insist on forcing their arbitrary will upon the people, the only alternative left to the people would be the constitutional process. Our nation must defend the sanctity of marriage.

It's also important to strengthen our communities by unleashing the compassion of America's religious institutions. Religious charities of every creed are doing some of the most vital work in our country — mentoring children, feeding the hungry, taking the hand of the lonely. Yet government has often denied social service grants and contracts to these groups, just because they have a cross or a Star of David or a crescent on the wall. By executive order, I have opened billions of dollars in grant money to competition that includes faith-based charities. Tonight I ask you to codify this into law, so people of faith can know that the law will never discriminate against them again.

The momentum of freedom in our world is unmistakable — and it is not carried forward by our power alone. We can trust in that greater power who guides the unfolding of the years. And in all that is to come, we can know that His purposes are just and true.

"Cast your maturbatory vote, and go play with yourself. This is a discussion for grown-ups."

That last paragraph eliminates you from this dicsussion. If that's the best response you have, please take that teenage drivel elsewhere and let the adults continue what appears to be a somewhat rational, if not heated, discussion.

Even with a strong hint of sarcasm that was at least a civil post so for that thanks.

Illegal immigration is not my only problem so although I am constantly called a single issue voter I am not.

I very much doubt that there will be constitutional candidates for me to vote on for either the house or the senate so IF the GOP candidates aren't huge rino's I'll most likely vote for them.

If shillary were to suddenly come into the picture all bets would be off and I'd vote for W.

I'm not a complete idiot nor have I based my descisions on ego as some have suggested. I am a VERY unsatisfied customer and unless the person/party I've done business with gives me an extremely good reason to change my mind I will be taking by business elsewhere.

...Priscilla Owen, Miguel Estrada, Carolyn Kuhl, Janice Rogers Brown, Thomas Pickering, William Pryor, Claude Allen

Hey, we got Pickering by recess-appointment.

It ain't near enough. I want the rest of them. Now. We have to stop the Supremes before they enact any more of this imaginary 'global-law' nonsense.

"Where were you when he signed the Partial Birth Abortion Ban — the most significant reversal of abortion-on-demand since Roe v. Wade? Asleep?"

As somebody else has already said to you, you should do a little more research. This bill did not outlaw late-term abortions, it merely outlawed one method for doing them. Late-term abortions can continue as long as they aren't done using this method. The bill is a sham.

...you'll get no argument on my about Souter and Stevens...let's also be intellectually honest here...the more Republican the Senate is, the most conservative an appointment the President knows he can make...let's give him 60 Republicans in the Senate, then he can stop worrying about making mushy appointments. Frankly, I think the appointments he has made have been pretty strong ones...let's not judge him by his dad, or Ford, or Nixon, etc.

nor a word about the courts' usurpation of legislative powers

What'd ya do...take a pee break?

"Activist judges, however, have begun redefining marriage by court order, without regard for the will of the people and their elected representatives. On an issue of such great consequence, the people's voice must be heard. If judges insist on forcing their arbitrary will upon the people, the only alternative left to the people would be the constitutional process. Our nation must defend the sanctity of marriage."

Transcript

He also proposed doubling funding for abstinence programs...abortions will decrease if we promote abstinence. Which reminds me...next time, keep your legs crossed : )

Yes, I pray for W to tell the truth, also. I wish he would answer the question of just how many immigrants it takes to bring in our crops. I very seriously doubt it takes 1 million immigrants to harvest the crops as the immigrants used to go from one area of the country to another as the crops ripened. Do you actually think it takes 10 million immigrants to bring in our crops? If that were true, we would have all starved 10 years ago.

Don't forget how his 'conservative' administration castrated the 4th amendment with the so-called 'Patriot Act'

And how exactly does the Patriot Act castrate your 4th Amendment rights? I never hear that past the Left's shrill fear mongering.

Mine, too. The Constitution Party gets my vote

Silly me - I thought you might support the Constitution but I guess not.

Question:

Did you vote for President Bush in 2000? Would like an honest answer please!

Over 90% of the Republican base support President Bush today which is about the amount that voted for him in 2000. I am just trying to get a handle on the people that call themselves Republican and didn't vote for a Republican candidate for President in 2000 or plan not to vote for one in 2004!

That over 90% of Republicans that support Pres Bush look at the big picture and what we see is a man who believes in this Country and will do everything in his power to protect us from attacks by going after the terrorists. On the homefront his tax cuts have restarted the economy with jobs being added and 401(k)'s once again climbing in value. Some of the programs he is proposing are to make America a better place for every person not just those of us who are fortunate to be in a position that we don't have to depend on Government programs. Others in this Country are not so fortunate through no fault of their own. Why shouldn't their children have a chance at a better tomorrow?

Count me as a proud member of the President George W. Bush Compassionate Conservative Wing of the Republican Party! Will support this President for reelection with every spare moment of my time and then some because he is the best hope for America IMHO!

This post is for people who at least have open minds.

Your definition of 'open minds' meaning will-vote-GOP no matter what they do?

Your remark would be funny if you weren't dead serious.

We do own our own votes. What you're decrying on this thread is the open-mindedness of those who have conservative principles and their freedom to vote (or not vote) for whomever they wish.

"Scared??" I'm not scared. I'm mad.

Mad that anyone who claims to be a conservative is going to WILLINGLY cast a vote FOR the Democrat because they are not satisfied with President Bush.

Any vote for a third party candidate from anyone who claims conservatism is deliberately putting at risk the future, and possibly the very existence of this country. I believe we need Republicans in office, given the present state of the Democrat party, if we are to survive as a nation.

Let me put it personally. My son is in Baghdad, proudly serving this country under this fine Commander in Chief in a very real War on Terror.

If a Dem gets into office, my son's sacrifice will be diminished, if not thrown away.

You guys can rant and rave all you want about how Bush has disappointed you, but if you are at all honest, you cannot say he has not led us with honor and strength in this War.

No single issue, or even two or three can be more vital to the survival of this nation than protecting it from the attacks of those who want us all dead.

THAT is the bottom line.

Hey, we got Pickering by recess-appointment.

Yes I know that.... but he was in the list of those being denied an up/down vote in the Senate.....

Just how you going to get the others right now? You mentioned appoint recess appoint two more...... My question and you avoided was

"what is the don't or didn't want a recess appointment? What are you going to do, force them?

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