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.

[TomGuy]

"There is frustration among some conservatives, but mostly it is focused in the think tanks here," says Ed Gillespie, the Republican Party chairman.

Well, not exactly, Ed. Rove and Co got an ear full of complaining from the Congressmen recently in a party meeting. Those elected reps complained to Rove and Co against amnesty for illegals and out of control spending. Wake up, Ed. Wake up, Carl. Daddy Bush ignored the public view and earned early retirement. Son Bush is on the same path unless things change in a hurry.

[sauropod]

Yeah, but Gillespie and Rove know that the conservatives "have no place to go." Rove was heard saying that almost immediately after the election of 2000.

Gillespie took no questions after his speech at CPAC this year.

Very telling.

[mo]

You clearly forget how for eight loooong years Slick Willy and his wife pissed over all of us while their media whores kept telling us it was raining...the consequences of that deception are being paid for by the families whose loved one died 9/11. Lets not let the perfect be the enemy of the good here..

[hellinahandcart]

I'm so glad that Ed "Take No Questions" Gillespie has his ear to the ground. :P

[sauropod]

Certainly tells you what KR, EG, and the Party think of the "base" doesn't it?

[sauropod]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1076554/posts

[DManA]

Eddy's whistling in the dark.

[The_Victor]

"I'm keeping my ear to the ground. But I do not believe we're at a point where concern translates into turnout problems."

The cacophony from the democRATs will get the Republicans out in November. Heck, their lie have me pi$$ed off already, and it's not even tax day.

[hellinahandcart]

Haven't you heard? We're not the base.

Even though I have voted three times so far for a Bush, I'm not part of the base.

[DManA]

Yes decide. Just remember that by voting for Mr. Bush you are choosing a Federal Government that consumes 50% GDP (according to his latest budget ).

[mewzilla]

Oh, for Pete's sake. Get the guy elected and argue later!!

[Consort]

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

Wear sleeveless garments and chill out.

[snooker]

Yes, I would agree. But I would still rather talk to Bush and try to get what we want than to try and talk to Kerry. Between all the Jane Fonda White House parties, I doubt Kerry will give you the time of day. There is also the very real prospect of MA style gun control 'improvements'.

[MamaTexan]

Ed Gillespie, the Republican Party chairman. "I'm keeping my ear to the ground.

Good - Maybe someone will stomp on your stupid head!

But I do not believe we're at a point where concern translates into turnout problems.

Translation: They're pi$$ed, but we still have the 'Hold your nose and vote' crowd.

[snooker]

I remember the Clinton budget which was going to take 80% of all income. So we are making improvements. VBG

[mo]

Frankly with a Green third party in 2000, Gore still won the popular vote. There will be NO third party this time around. Much of this should be viewed as the real cost of reaching to the center. We can play hard after the elections-most importantly on the COurt.

[sauropod]

I am not disagreeing with you.

[sauropod]

Hit post before i finished writing....

The question really is, how to get Mr. Bush to reign in the spending (including axeing the noxious Pills for Grandma program), deep-six the recent immigration proposal, etc.

I don't pretend to have the answer.

[BluH2o]

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.

Speaking as a former Canadian, now U.S. citizen, who has voted Republican going back to Ford, I'm outraged that Bush would grant illegal immigrants amnesty. I served 3 years active duty in the Marines and lived in this country 10 years before taking out citizenship ... everything I did was legal and above board. Amnesty to illegal aliens is a slap in the face to those of us who did it the right way ... legally. There seems to be something about the term "illegal" that is lost on Washington politicians ... in both parties.

[sauropod]

The question is,"how?"

Or, shouldn't that have happened this term?