[Jim Robinson]

I wish he would hold the line. I wish he'd do more than hold the line. I wish he'd cut spending, cut programs, cut government, etc, etc, etc, and fix (or privatize) any of these problems he can. And maybe he will be able to fix some of it. But I know damned well that NONE of the Democrats will. And I know they will make most matters much worse. I say conservatives can criticize Bush and his policies all day long, but I'd still rather re-elect Bush than allow a Democrat to take power.

[NittanyLion]

I say conservatives can criticize Bush and his policies all day long, but I'd still rather re-elect Bush than allow a Democrat to take power.

Sure - we're in agreement on that. I was just pointing out that legitimate criticism of policy errors is healthy and proper. My view is that President Bush has done an incredible job on foreign policy - he's been near perfect. Had he coupled a strongly conservative domestic policy with that foreign policy, we'd be watching one of the most incredible presidencies ever. He could have done it as well, considering the political capital built up from his execution of the WOT.

Instead much of the entitlement increases will ultimately detract from his legacy. He'll be viewed as a huge success in that he united a divided country, successfully executed a war, and pulled the nation from a recession at the same time. But he'll also ultimately be viewed as incapable of stemming the tide of liberalism - a sizable detractor.