Posted on 08/02/2005 2:11:49 PM PDT by BigSkyFreeper
WASHINGTON -- President Bush left for his traditional midsummer break Tuesday having accomplished the first goal of his second term -- ensuring he wouldn't spend four years as a lame duck.
Before heading to the ranch in Crawford, Texas, the president celebrated congressional passage of his long-stalled energy bill -- a goal he has sought since moving into the White House -- and approval of the Central American Free Trade Agreement.
But the early success doesn't end there.
Bush oversaw passage of the $286 billion transportation bill, which had been stalled in Congress for two years, and the Patriot Act appears well on its way to renewal. The House and Senate are expected to reconcile their differences this fall before major sections of the anti-terrorism legislation expire.
Not bad for a presidency not even eight months into a second term, particularly one that critics have tried to characterize as lame-duck since Bush again took the oath of office. It has not escaped the notice of the White House.
"I think it's important for the American people to hear about the important progress that we're making when it comes to our economy," said Scott McClellan, the president's press secretary. "And it's something we'll continue to talk about because this is something that impacts their daily lives."
McClellan said Bush intends to "build on the policies we have in place to keep our economy growing stronger."
The president seems to be faring well on other fronts, too.
It appears that John Roberts, his nominee to replace Sandra Day O'Connor on the Supreme Court, will face less opposition from Senate Democrats during confirmation proceedings than originally thought -- despite the candidate's conservative record. Elsewhere, Bush now has in place the person he wanted to serve as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. But strong opposition to the candidate, John Bolton, necessitated a recess appointment that will expire at the end of next year.
There will be a few clouds overhead as Bush putters around the ranch over the next four weeks.
Despite his successes and the nation's healthy economic growth, polls show that the public doesn't much care for the direction he is providing.
A Zogby America Poll, conducted July 26-30, showed that a minority of respondents, 45 percent, believe the president is doing an excellent or good job, while 55 percent rate him fair or poor. A Gallup poll done July 25-28 offers similar conclusions, with 44 percent saying Bush is doing a good job but 51 percent saying he's not.
John Zogby, head of Zogby International, said his latest survey showed that voters disapprove of the president's handling of every facet of his job -- with the exception of the war on terrorism. Fifty-one percent approved of Bush's actions in that area.
"The president is not likely to feel any significant bump from the events of the past week -- at least, not until new jobs are created from the transportation bill or gas prices are impacted by the energy bill," he said.
House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi of California dismissed the suggestion that Bush and the Republican-controlled Congress were making gains.
"The American people are concerned about job security and Republicans here have done nothing to create jobs," Pelosi said. "In fact, they and the president have the worst record of job creation since Herbert Hoover. More people do not have access to health care and this Congress has done nothing to make that better for them."
Meanwhile, Bush's top domestic priority, Social Security reform, distinguished by private accounts and financial solvency, is in jeopardy. House Republicans are drafting legislation that would use the Social Security surplus to fund private accounts, but the move would only add to the system's long-term financial problems.
And then there is the investigation into whether Karl Rove, the president's political guru, or anyone else in the administration committed a crime by revealing to reporters that Valerie Wilson was an undercover operative for the CIA.
I remember when his dear, sweet father was prez the press always made a big complaint that he was always overseas or at sKinnyBunkBedPort
2 to 10 pounds of beef brisket (hopefully found at your local Fresh Market)
Overnight marinade can be commercially made rub or use –
Ground pepper
Paprika
Onion powder
Garlic powder
Poke with fork to tenderize
Do not use any salt in overnight marinade.
Note – any sugar-based ingredients will caramelize during cooking.
If marinated in refrigerator, remove at least one hour prior to cooking. Bring beef up to room temperature. Add salt at this time if desired.
Preheat oven to 325°
If fresh from the butcher, try a rub mixture consisting of –
1 part salt
1/2 part ground pepper
1/3 part paprika
1/4 part onion and garlic powder
Poke with fork to tenderize
Before placing in oven, rub down with a squirt of lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, and a pulverized bay leaf.
Place brisket on rack – fatty side up – inside Pyrex dish. (My Pyrex dish is 10" by 15" and can hold nearly six pounds - so far.) Meat should not cook in it’s own juices - that's called 'braising'.
Add some water, beer, or oil/water mixture in pan. (Beer hasn't really provided positive results. Water is fine. Drippings can be used for gravy.) Do not let that moisture dry out during the cooking process. Check it about every half-hour and add more if needed.
Bake for 2 and 1/2 hours uncovered. Exterior may appear black quickly but that’s normal. Use mop sauce on top of meat during water level checks. Worcestershire, a pinch of liquid smoke, and a bit of olive oil works well.
After first side is done, flip the meat, top off water level, and use mop sauce one last time.
Cover with aluminum foil and let it go another hour. If a fork can be inserted – and there is no pull when removed, the BBQ is done.
Let brisket sit 20 to 30 minutes before cutting. Cut on an angle against the grain. Any commercially made BBQ sauce will do. Serve with potato salad, pinto beans and plenty of jalapeno peppers.
BONUS!
Get a hold of some jalapeno peppers. Cut them in half and be sure to remove the seeds (where most of the heat is located). Stuff them with cream cheese, wrap (or simply cover) each one in a piece of raw bacon and bake them in the oven twenty minutes at 350. Then broil until the bacon is brown and crispy. Yum yum! I dare you to eat just one. (Small tip - bake for 20 minutes then turn off heat. Let those gems sit in oven for another 10 minutes for extra-crispy bacon...)
Brisket is good stuff. Thanks for the recipe.
There is no politician and certainly no president, alive, dead, and yet to come, who will fulfill everyones wishes and desires 100% of the time. Heck, we should consider ourselves lucking...no, BLESSED, if any president does 65-70% of what we want done.
These same people who put Reagan in a pedestal, don't know what his record is. And if Reagan isn't their god, then someone who has never been president is; which is crazy, because that person or persons, has NO track record...just a loud mouth and/or is graced by their delusions.
Exactly!
HEY! Your suppposed to BBQ that thing on a pit over some mesquite or oak, not in an oven!
Get with the program!
Yes, it would! I think he is a very handsome man. With a strong backbone and strong faith. I am very appreciative of his bringing respect back to the White House after 8 years of Animal House!
Please disregard. Jest a few of us Jankees trying their best to simulate a certain taste. On the other hand, we could always move down there and invade your part of the country. (Sounds like a SMASHING idea - no?)
Sounds wonderful, I love smoked brisket. Thanks.
That particular recipe is for BAKED brisket. Turns out about the same - but only takes 3½ hours. If done properly, the taste is incredible. (Please keep in mind - it IS a piece of beef. Can't really screw it up unless you want to...)
Mmmmm.... that sounds mighty good....although I have a brisket recipe that I prize, given to me by a Jewish friend whose family has made it forever........not Texas-style....just good old home-cooking.
I'll try this and will definitely make the luscious cream cheese stuffed jalapenos. BTW, did you ever make them with that wonderful pre-cooked bacon?
Not yet. One of the tips my San Antonio friend gave me was to go to a kosher butcher for that nice piece of meat prior to them pickling it. (That's corned beef - eh?) Same stuff - different method...
Viva Dubya!
I remember back in da day when they used goof on Ronnie always go to Santa Barbara to his ranch
Santa Barbara compare to Crawford TX is not as hot
It's already dead. Time to kill it again? (Anything longer is called bacon - no?)
TA-DA!
The best part of this story is that it means the White House press corps will be spending their August shuttling between Waco and Crawford.
Far from the urban, oh so sophisticated east, a world away from Martha's Vineyard, they hate it so.
And it pleases me...
Using a rack is a very smart move. Otherwise you are making a semi-stew.
Thank you so much for the recipe!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.