Spent Argument (GWB losing luster among conservatives?)

The New Republic ^ | February 3, 2004 | Andrew Sullivan

[Paladin2b]

Let me make it clear: Unlike Sullivan, my fiscal conservatism doesn't mean I'd even consider voting for anyone of the Democrats over Bush. The War on Terror is just too damn important to leave to any of those Rats. But let's be honest: domestically Bush just isn't governing as a conservative. In the run-up to the 2000 campaign, when the GOP establishment was setting the stage for W's nomination, and we the Republican rank-and-file outside Texas frankly didn't know much about him, we were reassured, repeatedly: "Don't worry. This guy is not like his father. He's much more like Reagan. If you liked Reagan, trust us, you're going to love GWB".

This is FR, we all respect the President, pray for him, and wish him victory. It cannot be treachery to express real doubt and misgivings about the debt he is saddling us with, though.

[B4Ranch]

Where are all the FReepers who should to be here supporting our President?

[Nonstatist]

The model Bush more closely follows is Nixon:

Apt observation. And even in the last reason left to vote for Bush ( control of the judiciary) , its hard to see him nominating a true conservative for the SCOTUS. Its just hard for me to see him doing that.

[JohnnyZ]

When is Andrew Sullivan going to come out of the closet? As an out-and-out liberal?

[B4Ranch]

"So let me suggest that Daniel is posing the wrong question. The question is not, "Is Bush a Conservative?" It is, "How conservative can Bush be?" An honest answer to that second question may be a good deal less reassuring than the answer to the first. "

[B4Ranch]

Probably the day after our President.

[JohnnyZ]

And even in the last reason left to vote for Bush ( control of the judiciary) , its hard to see him nominating a true conservative for the SCOTUS.

There are none so blind as those who will not see.

He has nominated conservative after conservative to the bench.

[King Black Robe]

IMO, Sullivan has always been a phony. He shifts his arguments like a con-artist, but he has only one true passion -- the one that's going to take his life one day.

[larlaw]

While I don't agree with everything Sullivan says, I do agree with the comparison with Richard Nixon. I have thought that myself - both President Bush and former President Nixon have been bold and daring in foreign policy, yet favor huge expansions of domestic spending (often ostensibly for "conservative" goals but more often to buy off special interests). Both have used rhetoric to placate their base that is far more conservative than how they have governed. Also interesting is that the Left's hatred of Bush rivals that of their hatred of Nixon a generation ago.

W. is no Ronald Reagan. I realize there is much debate here on F.R. about how to handle this unpleasant reality (Just as with his father). However, like Nixon, although I have become somewhat disillusioned with W's policies the last few months I still think supporting him is still preferable than the alternatives (if for for nothing else then the war on terror and judicial appointments)

[Paladin2b]

When is Andrew Sullivan going to come out of the closet? As an out-and-out liberal?

So you think that concern about runaway deficit spending and new entitlement programs is liberal? Look, just for once let's pretend that Sullivan isn't gay, or better yet, let's pretend for a minute that his being gay isn't germane to the issue at hand. What is "liberal" about his points?

[Patrick1]

I agree with Sullivan to a point. Happy with Bush pandering to different old left groups? Of course not. Happy with him trying to expand the ever growing welfare state in war time? Nope.

But on election day I will vote for the man who cut taxes and is trying to change the liberal judiciary. Not because he is doing these things. Why then?

George W. Bush thinks the concept of the United States of America is worth defending. Period. After America was attacked four times by the Islamo Fascists in the 1990s, George W. Bush fought back.

George W. Bush took the fight to the fascists, just as FDR did in the 1940s and Reagan did the communists in the 1980s.

Can anyone who calls themselves a conservative stay home on election day and take the chance of turning a world war against Islamist Fascism over to John Kerry? Is this a serious position to take?

Would a serious conservative even consider risking the lives of millions of people in Europe, Israel and the United States because George W. Bush passed a prescription drug plan?

[sarasota]

I'm supporting W and will vote for him. Let the Rats enjoy their pre-election optimism. They are not going to win.

[King Black Robe]

When is Andrew Sullivan going to come out of the closet? As an out-and-out liberal?

I agree. He has had one goal: to be the gay trojan horse in the GOP. I'd say he has had moderate success.

[Paladin2b]

And even in the last reason left to vote for Bush ( control of the judiciary) , its hard to see him nominating a true conservative for the SCOTUS.
There are none so blind as those who will not see.
He has nominated conservative after conservative to the bench.

And how many of them has he really gone to the mat for? And be honest. A recess appointment isn't really going to the mat. Which one has he really decided to use to call the Democrats' bluff on a Senate floor filibuster?

[Paladin2b]

And even in the last reason left to vote for Bush ( control of the judiciary) , its hard to see him nominating a true conservative for the SCOTUS.
There are none so blind as those who will not see.
He has nominated conservative after conservative to the bench.

And how many of them has he really gone to the mat for? And be honest. A recess appointment isn't really going to the mat. Which one has he really decided to use to call the Democrats' bluff on a Senate floor filibuster?

[Brad’s Gramma]

Where are all the FReepers who should to be here supporting our President?

I'M HERE! I'M HERE!

[newgeezer]

And even in the last reason left to vote for Bush ( control of the judiciary) , its hard to see him nominating a true conservative for the SCOTUS. Its just hard for me to see him doing that.

If or when he does nominate a conservative, strict constitutionalist to the SCOTUS, the nominee will get Borked.

At this point, we'd be lucky to get a Scalia or O'Connor through the Senate.

As long as there are 40 Dems (real or virtual) in the Senate, Clarence Thomas is the last conservative you'll ever see on the Supreme Court. Our 5-4 advantage will soon be gone, Dubya or not.

[plain talk]

Would a serious conservative even consider risking the lives of millions of people in Europe, Israel and the United States because George W. Bush passed a prescription drug plan?

Yes, they would and that's what scares me. The left has these same problems but manage to "organize" around whoever it is and circle the wagons. We need to do the same. Kerry as President? I don't think so. He pandered to Communists in this hemisphere.

[My2Cents]

If conservatives abandon George W. Bush, allowing a 'Rat into the White House, with the likelihood of the possibility of nominating four justices to the US Supreme Court in the near future, they'll get what they deserve...being buried in a hole they won't be able to dig out of for another generation.

I'm voting for Geo. W. Bush, and gladly. Anyone who wants to throw away the possibility of nominating a significant number of Supreme Ct. justices over a piddling increase in NEA funding is, IMO, a "useful idiot" to the left.