Posted on 11/03/2004 11:54:04 AM PST by aculeus
As someone who supported President Bush for reelection on these pages, I cannot be happier about the election results. Bush's mandate is this time uncontestable. Not only has we won Ohio and Florida quite handily, he probably had a hand in widening the Republican majority in the Senate.
However, this outstanding victory brings a danger with it to the GOP. The danger is a certain kind of hubris that may take the Republicans too far to the right to make it as attractive in the next pair of election cycles. If the GOP knows what's good for it, it would use this victory to lay a claim to the American center, rather than veer to the right.
It is crucial that Bush not mishandle his newfound mandate. The president must keep in mind how intensely half of the country he is to govern dislikes him. But his mandate offers him an opportunity to reach out to the disenchanted part of the country.
The way to do that is to reorganize his cabinet and his agenda -- in significant, not only nominal ways -- along moderate lines. More specifically, it might be useful to replace some of the more controversial figures in the cabinet, and then offer one big policy peace leaf to the left.
First of all, Ashcroft must go. Not because he has done a bad job, but because he scares too many of our countrymen. Indeed, getting rid of Ashcroft might be the surest way to solidify support for the PATRIOT Act and its provisions for fighting terrorism. We need a hawkish Attorney General, but there is no need to make him or her also a religious conservative. Indeed, doing the latter might be counter-productive, as far as public opinion goes, with respect to the former.
Second, it may be time for Secretary Rumsfeld, who in my personal opinion has done a fantastic job these past four years, to graciously get out of the picture. Rumsfeld is 76 years old and is closely associated in the nation's mind with a certain cockiness that characterized the Bush administration planning for post-war Iraq reconstruction.
Importantly in this context, there are enough good hands in the Republican world in which to entrust national defense. I am thinking first and foremost of Rudy Giuliani. His 9/11 leadership places him in a perfect spot to take over America's defense responsibilities. At the same time, introducing a moderate, pro-choice Republican like him could do marvels for national unity.
John McCain is another moderate President Bush should find a way to introduce into his inner circle. Likely Secretary Powell will step down, and Bush would do well to put a welcoming face in Foggy Bottom.
It would also be something of a coup if Bush could get a hawkish Democrat of stature into his cabinet. Evan Bayh and Joe Biden may have too serious a sight on the 2008 Democratic nomination to enter a Republican administration. But Joe Lieberman is a natural person to embrace in this context.
Bush must also make a significant step by way of compromising on one of the central tenets of his agenda. Raising taxes is clearly out of question for him. But a bombshell announcement on, say, stem cell research or immigration, may do wonders to mollify his more intense critics and go some distance towards reunifying the nation. Hopefully, such a move can be sold to his base precisely as such -- as a token of respect for the other half of the nation. Such a gesture would betray another type of genuine patriotism.
In other words, Bush's impressive victory should occasion a reorganization of some of the core principles of his governing philosophy. Or perhaps not so much his governing philosophy as his governing practice. Moreover, Bush must do so aggressively, right from the first days of his second term.
If he avoids the traps of hubris, George W. Bush could make the long promised "Emerging Republican Majority" a reality, by staking a credible claim to the moderate center of the American electorate, with aggressive foreign and economic policies tempered with an inclusive social agenda. If Bush plays his cards wisely, he could keep Democrats out of power for a decade. But to do so, hubris must be avoided.
Copyright © 2004 Tech Central Station - www.techcentralstation.com
The Dems want a reorganization also. They want McAuliffe out - Dean to replace him as head of the DNC, and they call "Obama" the "future of our party." Pretty bleak over there.
OK, this guy is stupid.
So having won because of his strong stand for his core values, you want President Bush to abandon them so that the loony left will like him? What lunacy!
I could stand to see Giuliani as Secy of State. I loved his diplomatic skills after 9/11 when he gave that Saudi creep his $$ back.
Rumsfeld gone? Please no. Powell? I won't cry over it.
Liebermann... hmm. Bayh - NO. McCain - he just won reelection, didn't he? Will he abandon his duty?
My other observation: Ashcroft is so good at his job - he has to go? Is this what they're saying?
What an idiot. I used to like this website's columns, but will never read them again...
"The danger is a certain kind of hubris that may take the Republicans too far to the right to make it as attractive in the next pair of election cycles. If the GOP knows what's good for it, it would use this victory to lay a claim to the American center, rather than veer to the right."
Will you liberals just shut up and accept the fact that America has repudiated you, once again?
I agree with the sentiment but not the particulars. If Bush forces out Ashcroft, he'll lose his base and Congress in 06. Bush is loyal. Having said that, I would LOVE to see Rudy G. as AG. The guy has brass ones and will prosecute the 527s, "nonpartisan" groups that are leftwing fronts and stamp out voter fraud, having been victimized himself by it.
McCain's a maverick and shouldn't be in the Cabinet.
I think Rummy might decide to go on his own. Condi's the logical choice. Powell's likely to move on also.
I think he should give Dashole Transportation or HHS. John Breaux is worthy of a post too.
"The Dems want a reorganization also. They want McAuliffe out - Dean to replace him as head of the DNC..."
Dean??? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHaHa. Yessssss! High five!
Please God, put Dean in charge of the DNC.
"John McCain is another moderate President Bush should find a way to introduce into his inner circle."
You forgot to post the BARF alert!
This c**p is why the election was as close as it was, instead of "reaching across the isle" to the socialist Bush needs to get serious about undoing the Klinton legacy, reforming our federal agencies to bring them in line with the constitution, and making America truly secure and prosperous, starting with genuine control of our borders.
Yep - read it in on the Daily Kos. Wanted to see if they were still threatening to riot and DU was closed to "outsiders."
Isn't it great? Oh and on DU (from a lurker), they also want Gore-Clark in '08. Guess they are going to put a vet on all their future "Dream tickets".
I just got done commenting and I won't have another meal for a few hours.
DESERVES A BARF ALERT!!!!
There will be repeated attempted to undermine or 'channel' the mandate.
Good example: Ashcroft ... people who hated him VOTED AGAINST BUSH. MORE VOTED FOR BUSH...
There is NOTHING WRONG WITH BEING A RELIGIOUS CONSERVATIVE. THAT IS THE MESSAGE OF THE MAJORITY THAT VOTED BUSH.
To reject them is to reject your own base and cater to your enemies.
"Cater to your enemies" is a good way to summarize what the Liberal media (eg NYTimes) will demand of Bush.
Bush is wise to ignore that advice and simple consider:
The best politics is good policy.
"This c**p is why the election was as close as it was, instead of "reaching across the isle" to the socialist Bush needs to get serious about undoing the Klinton legacy, reforming our federal agencies to bring them in line with the constitution, and making America truly secure and prosperous, starting with genuine control of our borders."
HEAR HEAR!!!
"The Dems want a reorganization also. They want McAuliffe out - Dean to replace him as head of the DNC..."
Dean??? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHaHa. Yessssss! High five!
Please God, put Dean in charge of the DNC.
If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
yes, it is lunacy ... bad policy and BAD POLITICS.
The only area where Bush really needs to change course is on spending ...
BUSH NEEDS TO BE CUTTING GOVT SPENDING MORE, TO HELP CUT THE DEFICIT.
"Second, it may be time for Secretary Rumsfeld, who in my personal opinion has done a fantastic job these past four years"
If he's done a great job (yes he has!) THEN LEAVE HIM THERE.
Threaten to replace him with Wolfowitz, that'll get the lame critics out to get Rummy to STFU quick.
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