Mike Allen: Why They Can't Hit The Right Note

TIME ^

[Milhous]

Better a second-rate conservative than a first-rate liberal; but best of all, a truly stellar conservative.

<sarcasm>
Can't we all just get along? How about Bush withdraw Miers and nominate a penny so that we can flip a coin to achieve a truly fair swing vote?
</sarcasm>

My apologies for my sarcasm but bending over and grabbing my ankles yet again for socialist justice forces me to seek sanctury in sarcasm - the last refuge of an empty mind. LOL.

[etradervic]

Better a second-rate conservative than a first-rate liberal;

We do not know if she is a second-rate conservative. W thinks that she is a first-class conservative. According to W, she may even be among the best qualified. The problem is that the rest of us do not know.

What I find troubling is that if she were truly a Conservative, how could she spend her 60 year life straddling an ideological fence showing no conviction either way?

[Cicero]

As constitutional conservatives, we believe the entire people of our Republic, good or bad, smart or dumb, left or right, are best served by decent judges who don't invent new pseudo-constitutional ideas at the drop of a hat, or find nonexistent legal doctrine in the shadow of a penumbra.

In the long run, a country run by unelected judges according to their personal whims is headed toward tyranny. That may make some people happy, and indeed it might make a great many people happy never to have to choose for themselves again, but it is not, reasonably considered, a good thing for "the people."

[Cicero]

Agreed. I thought I had made that clear. I think she is both second-rate as a constitutional scholar AND at best doubtfully conservative. The second point is indeed more important.

[Milhous]

In the long run, a country run by unelected judges according to their personal whims is headed toward tyranny.

Tyranny ultimately causes revolutions when its victims get tired of bending over to grab their ankles for their own good [1]. Only strictly adhering to the American constitution can successfully form a more perfect union to keep such social unrest at bay.

[1] Cool Hand Luke

Captain, Road Prison 36: You gonna get used to wearin' them chains afer a while, Luke. Don't you never stop listenin' to them clinking. 'Cause they gonna remind you of what I been saying. For your own good.
Luke: Wish you'd stop bein' so good to me, cap'n.

[TortReformer]

She is a free marketer...a pro-business conservative...good enought for me...There is too much negativity regarding her appointment...we need to get together and get past this...chances are another opportunity will arise.

[Milhous]

In my real life conversations it surprises most people to learn that Republican Presidents appointed 7 of the 9 sitting Supreme Court justices because most of the people who talk to me view the Supreme Court culture as liberal.

[Soul Seeker]

"They're crazy to take him on this frontally," said a former West Wing official. "Not many people have done that with George Bush and lived to tell about it."

So, what, are we being physically threatened now for daring to question the man we elected to serve us?

Threats from an ex- Wing coward that won't go on record. I'm shaking.

[pollyannaish]

Actually, I think this administration uses the Reagan poll doctrine which is not to use polls to make the fundamental policy decision, but once that is established you use them to determine your strategy for selling the policy.

As illustrated here, that approach has drawbacks. I just think that we do have to be accurate in criticism of a President. To use polls to determine policy is disastrous. To use polls to sell policy is using the available tools.

[slowhandluke]

Even though you are not the majority in his party, he has done well by you, I think, in his judicial appointments.

We're upset because a bad choice here negates all his previous good choices for the lower courts. The lower court picks are just warm ups, the Supreme Court picks are the whole game.

[jdhljc169]

"No, Bush is the one that is a fool to betray his base in this manner. He represents the people. He isn't king. And, if he thinks he is going to be a lame duck and not a bigger failure than his father if he doesn't withdraw this nomination, he is a fool."

Exactly! I read this with digust. If he thinks he's going to get anything done or people are still going to vote for Republicans, then he is in for a suprise. You don't win people over by calling them (insert favorite name here, sexist, elist, etc.).

[Pharmboy]

What are they smoking in the White House?

Mierjuana.

[wardaddy]

that's Ed Gillespie's job isn't it?

or has that changed?

[wardaddy]

What are they smoking in the White House?

Oaxacan wife beaters maybe?

They go for about 250/lb around McAllen.

[SkyPilot]

"They're crazy to take him on this frontally," said a former West Wing official. "Not many people have done that with George Bush and lived to tell about it."

The newest threat.

Sheesh!

[The Iguana]

"....far right minority of his party."

Don't take this the wrong way, but some people here get edgy when a poster who's been here for less than 48 hours uses expressions like these.

But I agree that Bush has done pretty well in his lower court nominations, at any rate. It's probably that fact alone which has kept the blowback from being much worse than it has been so far.

[indianrightwinger]

I won't go as far as calling the president names, but agree with the sentiment.

He OWES his supporters, not the other way. Sure, he is the President, and can take actions we don't approve. But, his political capital will keep dwindling to a point where he is unable to perform.

[indianrightwinger]

Folks to the right of Bush is a simple way to answer the question. But, I get your point. There is not a clear definition to offer.

It is a heartfelt feeling that most of the people who supported and worked for this President's election and re-election are disappointed.

[indianrightwinger]

Calling someone opposed to Miers a "far right extremist super minority of the population" is not debating.

"The people" in the post mean the folks who gave money, blood, sweat, and a whole lot more to elect and re-elect this president. Yes, their voice deserves to be heard.

[indianrightwinger]

Because she is:

1) A non-kooky-liberal

OR

2) Moderate (swings either way)

OR

3) RINO type conservative

OR

4) She is clueless

The best we can hope is #3, which is not saying much.