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.

[Poohbah]

It seems to me that the base was liked and appreciated and relevant in 2000. Has the tent become smaller?

Well, they were liked, and appreciated, and pandered to...

And then they didn't show up on Election Day.

I've seen folks in the self-proclaimed "base" brag about their support for Bush AFTER the damn election, as if that's actually significant. But if they'd turned out in the same pathetically low numbers as they did in 1996, all of those damn rallies would've been unnecessary.

The GOP discovered that NOTHING makes the self-proclaimed "base" happy, so they started ignoring them.

Bush is willing to stick his neck out for the folks who actually voted for him. The loudmouth "base" didn't.

Tough noogies.

The self-proclaimed "base" better learn to be gracious in accepting charity--because that is what they've been getting since 1/20/01. They've gotten a lot of goodies when you consider that they didn't deliver votes.

[Dane]

You and I both know this is akin to a pardon

Really? Paying a fine is a pardon. Well according to you I must have gotten a pardon for the fine I paid for going over the speed limit a couple of years ago.

[NittanyLion]

Paying a fine is a pardon. Well according to you I must have gotten a pardon for the fine I paid for going over the speed limit a couple of years ago.

I'm sure you recognize that speeding is not equivalent to illegal immigration, right? Or perhaps you think they're on the same moral plane; that would explain your confusion on the issue.

Paying a fine for breaking and entering someone's home is, in effect, a pardon. The punishment is so insignificant for the crime that it would be received as a pardon. Agree?

[kittymyrib]

In Texas, everyone is supposed to have proof of auto insurance to get their license tags. You can buy auto insurance for A DAY in San Antonio so that you have the card to get your tags. Have a wreck with one of these fine "citizens" and of course, they have no insurance and your insurance has to pay...and your premiums shoot up. Yes, W, you should know how great all this diversity is in Texas. Those of you who are still living in the USA should be so thankful that you are not in any of the border states.

[Dane]

As for dishwashing, I've done restaurant work, cleaned bathrooms, did lawn work

So have I. I can't help it if today's MTV genereation thinks that those types of jobs are beneath them and I ain't going to brand people as automatically evil who are happy to have such a job.

[Neets]

Tough noogies indeed.

You get what you give.

[Neets]

What, no snarling dogs or srutting kitty pictures this morning toots?

[Dane]

Paying a fine for breaking and entering someone's home is, in effect, a pardon. The punishment is so insignificant for the crime that it would be received as a pardon. Agree?

Huh, I don't consider someone washing dishes at a restaurant or cleaning the toilet at an office and happy to have the job as breaking and entering. I guess you do.

[NittanyLion]

Huh, I don't consider someone washing dishes at a restaurant or cleaning the toilet at an office and happy to have the job as breaking and entering. I guess you do.

The you're obviously operating on a false premise. As I mentioned before, the crime is circumventing the legal procedures our nation has set forth regarding immigration.

But hey, feel free to operate under whatever "logic" you want. It's your reputation.

[Lazamataz]

What, no snarling dogs or srutting kitty pictures this morning toots?

[Dane]

But hey, feel free to operate under whatever "logic" you want. It's your reputation

Well if I an going to be skewered for my logic of living in the real world, so be it.

The real world is that these people are taking jobs Americans don't want. They help make our economy go, just like the previous waves of immigrants who did the same thing. The situation is a out of control and Bush is trying to bring some semblance of sanity to it.

Also I don't believe that a porgrom type of roundup that some on FR are calling for of people working menial jobs is sane.

[Consort]

We are ruled by the Constitution, not politicians.

I'm trying to agree with that but you need to provide more evidence.

[gunnedah]

If there were an oponet for Bush that were better I would certainly vote for him or her. But look at the alternatives and everyone the Democrats have to offer is controlled by liberals or Clintons and in either case the scenario would get worse. A Third Party candidate is not feaseable and they could never be elected.
Busk like a lot of Republicans will never understand that you cant get the African American vote regardless of what you do. Every person that has reached out to them has had their hands cut off at the elbow. They even castigate their own race if they disagree with them.
Bush may can make some inroads into the Hispanic Community but that really remains to be seen. Alienating his base and those of us who consider ourelves Independant will only beat him.
I cannot in good conscience vote for any Democrat on the horizon and the good ones in my opinion are either leaving the party or retiring.
I hate to say this but my family may just sit at home and ride it all out because we never benefit from anything either party does anyway.

[NittanyLion]

Also I don't believe that a porgrom [sic] type of roundup that some on FR are calling for of people working menial jobs is sane.

Ah, the obligatory Nazi reference. How utterly contemptible, Dane.

[kristinn]

The real world is that these people are taking jobs Americans don't want.

Repeat a lie often enough and it becomes the truth.

The real world is that the illegals are undercutting market rates and squeezing out Americans from the labor market.

[NeoCaveman]

We are not permitted to agree with this article.

Of sourse not.

Everyone knows the conservative Republican Congressman are getting checks from Soros. (/sarcasm)

I mean really, to voice legitamit policy concerns, clearly they are just trying to get a Democrat elected..... rme

[Consort]

I hate to say this but my family may just sit at home and ride it all out...

Here's a suggested seat for all those cop-outs who want to sit it out. It works well for both pre and post election tantrums. If you want to ride it out, get a rocking horse.

[chris1]

Excuse me - But you are dead wrong. Look at the 2002 mid term elections. The base came out and we wiped the floor with the Dems. In 2002, the President showed leadership and took the bull by the horns. The Medicare program was brought to the floor by him, the Immigration "proposal" by him, the other liberal garbage, bu him. He will be a one term president unless he changes things around in terms of perception. People have short memories, and I am TELLING YOU LOUDLY & CLEARLY, that I as well as my family members who have voted 100% GOP in all of the previous elections, are pissed off and feel betrayed. Call me whatever name you want, say my "base" vote does not matter, but it is the fact of the matter whether you want to acknowledge it or not.

[Neets]

RME

[chris1]

Nonsense. They are working for employers who don't have to pay Fica, SS, and Income taxes on them. This lie is so absurd. Di dno one clean dishes, mow lawns, wash cars, or cook before Mexicans came here?