Bush the Conservative v. Bush the Pragmatist (Disappointing Behavior by Disappointed Conservatives)

The Washington Post ^ | October 9, 2005 | Michael A. Fletcher

[quidnunc]

Since taking office, President Bush has heartened abortion opponents by signing a bill outlawing what they call "partial-birth" abortions, curtailing federal funding for international organizations that offer abortion referrals and promoting what he calls a culture of life.

But after nominating White House counsel Harriet E. Miers to the Supreme Court last week, he was asked directly whether he wants Roe v. Wade , the Supreme Court opinion guaranteeing a right to abortion, to be overturned. His response was less than direct. "You know, I'm not going to interject that kind of issue in the midst of these hearings," Bush said.

It is an answer that not only speaks to the powerful passions and treacherous politics surrounding abortion, but also reveals a type of pragmatism Bush has exhibited throughout his political career. There is little doubt that Bush, as he noted last week, is "proudly" conservative. Domestically, he has cut taxes, limited stem cell research and advanced bold proposals to replace cherished government social programs with an ownership society that offers recipients both greater risks and greater rewards while curbing taxpayer outlays.

-snip-

His political sensibilities at times have left him reluctant to take the lead into pitched ideological battles, particularly around social issues, frustrating his staunchest supporters.

"I think Bush is a solid conservative in terms of his views, but above all else he is a coalition builder," said John C. Green, senior fellow at the Pew Forum for Religion & Public Life. "The president is keenly aware that he has many parts to his coalition, some of whom don't see eye to eye with religious conservatives."

-snip-

[sinkspur]

Well, that may happen. If it does, God forbid, maybe the Republicans and rinos will see that they can't take everyone for granted...

You'll have to live under Hillary, too, goofball.

Most people who voted for Perot in 1992 regretted it greatly. We've got a replay in the works, it appears, as the more juvenile decide to pick up their marbles and vote for the Constipation Party.

You punish yourself if you do that.

[dk/coro]

Hey, DTOM888, what did you put in your water tonight?
Are you O.K. ? **S**

[HapaxLegamenon]

Of course John Kerry is a very conservative man and you should have voted for him, right? Just who would you have in the presidency if not Bush? He has done much good for us and he has made mistakes, in other words, he is human. Vote for 3rd party or stay at home next election at your peril, it won't be the republican party that suffers but the conservative constituency.

Whether or not there is another choice, does not change the fact that George Bush is not a conservative.

[Oklahoma]

Most of my day is spent in a car and I listen to talk radio, usually to Conservatives like Rush, Laura, and Sean. When I'm on-line I read the posts on websites I believe I can trust: NRO, WSJ Opinion, American Spectator, etc. Nothing disappoints me more than people I usually agree with being bigoted, close minded, illogical, mean spirited, and hysterical.

No politician is perfect. Bush certainly isn't and none of the other Presidents in my lifetime have been perfect, either. Not even Reagan. I find it amusing that some of the same people advising Reagan on his Supreme Court nominees, that gave us O'Connor and Kennedy, are now raising hell about Miers. We may regret her being placed on the Court, but it is also possible that she could end up being a better pick than some of the ones being pushed by the Bill Kristols of this world.