Bush Finds Party Faithful In an Ugly Mood

WSJ ^ | 2/12/04 | JACKIE CALMES

[TomServo]

WASHINGTON -- For all the attention paid to partisanship in this town, the more interesting -- and consequential -- fights here in this election year will pit Republicans against Republicans.

A new level of tension is emerging between President Bush and the congressional Republicans he expects to deliver his election-year agenda. Among the sore points, Mr. Bush's initiative to give legal status to immigrant workers who are here illegally, a bid to attract Latino voters, instead has roiled the party's conservative faithful. Republicans have been put on the defensive over the President's policies on Iraq. And record deficits and spending suddenly have Republicans questioning his fiscal stewardship.

[TXBSAFH]

The party faithful are in a difficult mood. GWB is the best one running that can seriously win, but with immigration and the out of control spending there is a lot to concern a conservative.

[anniegetyourgun]

"There is frustration among some conservatives, but mostly it is focused in the think tanks here," says Ed Gillespie, the Republican Party chairman. "I'm keeping my ear to the ground. But I do not believe we're at a point where concern translates into turnout problems."

Someone needs to tell Ed that those think tanks and associations are funded by conservatives.

[TomServo]

bttt..

[miloklancy]

No doubt Bush has some things to iron with his fellow conservatives on his immigration plan. He definitely needs to back off this, regardless of what Karl Rove tells him. However before folks start coming out with accusations of RINOism and such, all Republicans need to be focused on the disasterous consequences of Bush losing the election. The assault on the second ammendment that occured under Clinton will only continue and get worse if a Dem gets back in charge. Our intelligence infrastructure will also only further deteriorate, as it has under all of the last several Democratic presidents. Also it is clear the Dems do not take the War On Terror seriously and if they have the White House, their disinterest will only embolden people like Osama Bin Laden. A social agenda of forced secularism will also get worse under a Democrat. As conservatives we must voice our objections to the President's policies where they are wrong, such as the immigration plan. But also as conservatives we must reward Bush for his strong leadership in combating terrorists and give him a second term this year.

[steve50]

Someone needs to tell Ed that those think tanks and associations are funded by conservatives.

No, they're funded by the special interests. Their main function seems to be to promote the spin and furnish paychecks for any of the good ole boys that get kicked out of office.

[Consort]

It's OK to be concerned; it's not OK to be foolish.

[sushiman]

" Bush has some things to iron with his fellow conservatives on his immigration plan. "

Bush is NO conservative .

[MissAmericanPie]

"There is frustration among some conservatives, but mostly it is focused in the think tanks here," says Ed Gillespie, the Republican Party chairman. "I'm keeping my ear to the ground. But I do not believe we're at a point where concern translates into turnout problems."

How amazingly dense. It really points up the problem when elites completely lose touch, like the average voter even stops to consider, think tanks, as a target in dishing out their flustration and disappointment.

[anniegetyourgun]

Click here.

[miloklancy]

That is highly debatable. And keep in mind that not all conservatives are the same. There isn't a blue print for the American conservative. Bush IS conservative on tax policy and security, which for me are the most important issues out there.

[sauropod]

Thass ok. I expect the Star Chamber to show up now and start hassling people.

[veronica]

Anyone in the GOP who turns on Bush and makes life easier for Kerry is a traitor IMO. Lives hang in the balance here, as well the future of America. The stakes are huge and I have no use for idiot turncoats.

[Coop]

The party faithful are in a difficult mood. GWB is the best one running that can seriously win, but with immigration and the out of control spending there is a lot to concern a conservative.

There's also a lot to please a conservative. Welcome to the forum.

[sushiman]

The future of America ? Your great-granchildren will be speaking Spanish ! LOL !

[uncbob]

"There is frustration among some conservatives, but mostly it is focused in the think tanks here," says Ed Gillespie, the Republican Party chairman. "I'm keeping my ear to the ground. But I do not believe we're at a point where concern translates into turnout problems."

What a boob to think the Grass Roots ain't poed

Rove better realize it was the hatred of Clinton/Gore and not Bush's Compassionate Conservatism BS that enegized the base

He is like that boob Gingrich who still thinks he engineered the 94 revolt of the voters that gave the GOP control of congress

[snooker]

We do have a choice, a man of character or the botox gigolo. You decide. I do not see how any conservative could even consider a vote for Kerry or to stay home. The downside would be to great.

While Bush has a lot of things to be improved, he is by far the best choice. If the war on terror is allowed to continue under Bush, we may see an actual end or conclusion. Put yourselves in the terrorist shoes the day after the election. Try two takes, Bush wins, Kerry wins. You decide which outcome means the terrorists win.

[sushiman]

To borrow a phrase :

Bush Pisses Up The Conservative's Sleeve... Just Like His Daddy Did!

[sauropod]

I read something yesterday or the day before that quoted someone in the WH saying they were baffled as to why the "base" was po'ed. "Bush is doing everything he said he was going to do" or some such hog slop.

UnKerrying believable.

[Reelect President Dubya]

Sunset of the AWB is my lithmus test.

I don't care about political rhetoric.

Bush can pretend he would sign renewal of the AWB if that helps him politically.

But if Congress sends one to him and he actually does sign it, I will sit out the next Presidential election.