Good article. It is demoralizing to be a Bush supporter when he doesn't defend himself.
Bill Kristol back to form, sitting on the sidelines complaining, taking responsibility for leading the way and bailing when an initiative or policy fails or loses favor.
Please shut up and go away, whining billy.
Not fighting back appears to be a Bush family trait.
These fairweather friends of Bush are getting on my nerves. He's our President; we elected him. He should have our support when times are tough.
Well, I have to say that I thought Bush was foolish to jump right into his second term, with all that momentum going for him from the election, and immediately put all his eggs into the Social Security basket.
Sure, Social Security is broke, but why is it the Republicans' job to fix it? There were more important things to do first.
At that time, everyone was stunned by the power of the social and religious conservatives who turned out in droves to vote. Hillary started saying that she was really a Christian, and that maybe the Dems should compromise on abortion. (Only abort half the baby, and leave the other half in the womb?) It's noticeable that she's since dropped that line, because it no longer seems so urgent.
Now all that momentum has been lost. Conservatives are raring to go with Alito, but then Bush committed another bad move by allowing Specter delay the Alito hearings until next year. Meanwhile Bush is in Argentina, which gains him absolutely nothing but insults from his host. Somebody gave him some bad advice--on Specter, on Miers, on Social Security, on priorities.
Sure, Kristol is a congenital whiner. But there's some subtance to this complaint.
Memo to Bill Kristol, there is always a lag between reality and reporting and consequently, a turn in the polls. In the MSM's case, they just ignore reality and change the subject to something else. For example, look at gas prices. They are dropping like a rock. But the MSM's tagline is still that they are at a record high.
With regard to Iraq, Kristol hit it on the head. The dems are weak on National Security issues. If they want to keep bringing them up, the President should have accepted the invitation. I think Bush felt that since Iraq was THE issue after the 2004 election, it was over and done. Not sowith the "ground hog's day" party.
I am being optimistic, but I do really think things are looking up all around. Conservatives judicial nominees, drilling in ANWR, the President is getting more combative, and deficit reduction bills. Yep, things are looking up and soon the polls will as well (or we will all get to laugh at the new methods the MSM has to come up with to keep them low).
I've not been a fan of Kristol's for several years, however I do want to see the administration do a lot better with PR.
I've no idea who, within the inner circle, is responsible for it- but they're doing a lousy job. They are always BEHIND the issues..putting them in defense mode. They need to keep up with FR :) get on offense- lead the story and STAY AHEAD.
How many attacks will Bush endure from the "George Washington of the Islamic Republic of Iran" AKA Jimmy Carter AKA weakest and worst President in US history before he fights back????
Maybe Kristol and company could be more productive and helpful were they to write about the democrats instead of criticizing the administration and President Bush.
I don't think Bush is desperate enough to start taking advice from his enemies.
I'm ashamed of a Texan not having more fight in him than Pres. Bush is exhibiting. Hiding in foreign countries and in the White House and sending that pitiful Scott McClellan out to face the slavering wolves of the press corps assures that his poll numbers will soon be below 30%. Of course, it happened to LBJ, but he deserved it.
It is inexcusable that GWB is put on the defensive by the Dems lead by Howard 'Norman Bates' Dean, San Fran Democrat Pelosi, and Dingy Harry. Enough is enough.
The Pres shouldn't need to defend himself while he is in office. He has other, more urgent matters for his attention. If the Pres needs defending, it should be exactly his supporters who do it. Before someone abandons such support, consider what the Pres is trying to accomplish and whether there is anyone who better deserves support. Basing it all on one issue is probably not going to be productive; the job is very complicated.
Kristol is a fool - But the above comments are dead on - The WH (and RNC) have completely dropped the ball in the PR war regarding the GWOT - They have been pathetically lazy while at the same time asking our soldiers to fight 24/7.
In the 1988 Presidential debates, Bernhard Shaw (I think) asked Dukakis about his opposition to the death penalty by phrasing a hypothetical wherein Kitty was raped and murdered, and wouldn't Mike sing a different tune under those circumstances?
Dukakis's milquetoast response branded him as a limp-wristed, turn-the-other-cheek pacifist.
Bush had better watch out his can't-we-all-just-get-along approach to the Democrats doesn't get him a place next to Mikey.
I think he should take heart in the excellent Supreme Court pick, and know his base is behind him now that he's returned to his promise.
The "Miers episode" did more good for Bush than harm. It reminded him that he has a conservative mandate and that his base is willing to go to the mat and do what it takes to win.
I think it also sent the same clear message to the Republicans in the Senate. At least Lindsey Graham seems to have gotten the message.
Bush hasn't fought for any of his judicial picks yet. This would be a good time to start.