GOP slams Bush policies at retreat

The Washington Times ^ | 2/6/04 | By Ralph Z. Hallow and James G. Lakely

[ovrtaxt]

Growing frustration over President Bush's immigration plan and lack of fiscal discipline came to a head behind closed doors at last weekend's Republican retreat in Philadelphia.

House lawmakers, stunned by the intensity of their constituents' displeasure at some of Mr. Bush's key domestic policies, gave his political strategist Karl Rove an earful behind closed doors.

[ovrtaxt]

Good news. Seems our voices are being heard after all.

[ovrtaxt]

Many House critics of the Bush immigration plan said privately that the proposal was created to win Mr. Bush a larger share of the Hispanic vote in November and to mollify Mexican President Vicente Fox.

What evidence do they have that he is going to gain any significant votes? Mexican socialists are never going to support the small-government, nationalistic version of the Republicans.

[Texasforever]

One glaring omission in all of the self-righteous indignation. Where was the self criticism? Every spending bill the hate was passed by them. Bush just made an immigration proposal it is completely within their power to vote it down.

[ovrtaxt]

Absolutely. Feeney and Tancredo are the few names that I have heard in the past who actually stood up to Rove on Medicare and immigration, respectively.

I understand that they are trying to defer to their President and support his agenda with a united front, but the identity of the party matters. Every spending bill originates in the House. DeLay better grow a pair quick and exhibit some true leadership.

[Texasforever]

This entire congress has shown itself to be craven cowards. They pass bills that Bush signs and then blames him for making them do it. They resisted the McCain/Feingold CFR for 6 years and then when Bush takes office it is the one of the first major pieces of legislation they send to the president after Bush had already told them if they didn't want CFR then by God don't send it to me. I will guarantee many of these worms will be in line to be seen with Bush on the campaign trail. Many of them owe their reelection in 2002 to Bush. It makes me want to puke.

[goldstategop]

I thought it was good the Karl Rove and Joshua Bolton received criticism. Responsible criticism isn't a sign of weakness, its a sign of strength. Only weaklings prefer sycophants to give them what they want to hear. If this results in the Administration dropping ill-advised proposals, then it will have strengthened the President immensely in time for the general election. Now let's see if they do in fact take all of this to heart over at the White House.

[Mo1]

HELLO ?!?!?

Ummmm ... who do these Congress folks think make and pass these bills???

[Texasforever]

Ummmm ... who do these Congress folks think make and pass these bills???

IT'S ALL BUSH'S FAULT. HE MADE US DO IT!

[Mo1]

Where was the self criticism? Every spending bill the hate was passed by them. Bush just made an immigration proposal it is completely within their power to vote it down.

EXACTLY!

[Texasforever]

If I were GW, I would tell these guys to piss up a rope when they come hat in hand begging for him to help them out in their reelection in 2004.

[.30Carbine]

self-right·eous
adj.
Piously sure of one's own righteousness; moralistic.
Exhibiting pious self-assurance: self-righteous remarks.

---

Voice of President Bush: "He said he didn't do it for politics [but] because that's what he believes is good for the country," Mr. Duffy said, adding that Mr. Bush drove his point home by saying, "I'm from Texas and I know this issue."

Voice of the People: House lawmakers, stunned by the intensity of their constituents' displeasure at some of Mr. Bush's key domestic policies, gave his political strategist Karl Rove an earful behind closed doors.

[Mo1]

These people are un-flipping-believable ... they make and pass these bills and then blame Bush and Rove?

Are they really that stupid?

[.30Carbine]

tell these guys to piss up a rope

Now that's good strategery for the Republicans, and will surely end with a super-majority in the Senate.

[ovrtaxt]

This is what leads to the logic of some (misguided, IMO) to suggest a Dem president might be good for the country, a 'pro gridlock' stance, if you will. A lib in the WH would definitely result in a swing to the right for the Congress. But wouldn't it be better to swing right with Bush?

I'm all for it if they can pull it off. We have til Nov to convince them.

[.30Carbine]

The proposals for these bills are coming from the President. He alone has the bully pulpit.

[Texasforever]

This is what leads to the logic of some (misguided, IMO) to suggest a Dem president might be good for the country, a 'pro gridlock' stance, if you will.

If these idiots keep it up it won't be a democrat in the Whitehouse, it will be a democrat in the House Speaker role. It is Bush's coat tails that kept most of them in their seats in 2002.

[Mo1]

What a crook ... they make and pass the bills

[.30Carbine]

And you think it would bode well for the elections in November if they opposed the President on these?

[.30Carbine]

If these idiots keep it up it won't be a democrat in the Whitehouse, it will be a democrat in the House Speaker role.

Quote: Let them piss up a rope!

[ovrtaxt]

It is Bush's coat tails that kept most of them in their seats in 2002.

And Bush was farther right in 2002. Any way, this was a closed door meeting, so I don't have a problem with the disagreement. It's good that someone is listening, finally. The fact that the article was written, that it saw the light of day, is a message to conservatives. It gives me hope that the cause isn't lost.