Posted on 02/11/2006 12:49:16 PM PST by Reagan Man
Hardline conservatives, among President Bush's staunchest supporters, question whether he is conservative enough when it comes to government spending and growth, leaders of the movement say.
"What conservatives have realized during the last five years is that we have not elected a conservative president," said Bill Lauderback, executive vice president of the American Conservative Union. "Nor do we have a conservative majority in either the House or Senate."
Conservatives gathered at a Washington hotel this weekend for the annual Conservative Political Action Conference, where they assess the status of their movement and what they think of government policies. President Reagan remains the champion of low-tax, small-government supporters even after Bush's re-election and the dominance of GOP lawmakers.
They are quite unhappy with Bush administration initiatives - for example, the multibillion-dollar prescription drug program and the No Child Left Behind education law - and special spending projects from Congress that have ballooned the cost and scope of the federal government.
"We are in danger of becoming the party of big government," said Rep. Mike Pence of Indiana, chairman of the conservative Republican Study Committee.
Pence said he and his allies in Congress plan to make sure that trend is reversed.
"The era of big Republican government is over," Pence said, adding the word "Republican" to the memorable phrase used by President Clinton in his 1996 State of the Union address.
Many conference participants feel that limited government overrides all other issues such as gun rights, pro-life policies and conservative judges. Yet, despite their unhappiness, Bush remains popular with this group, especially for his court appointments and handling of terrorism.
"They like Bush," said David Keene, chairman of the ACU, which runs the conference. "But they are frustrated and disappointed with some things the administration has done. And the frustration is deep because government spending and growth of government are at the core of beliefs of many people here."
Keene said conservatives are starting to look ahead at future leaders, accepting that they've gotten some of what they want from Bush.
Some at the conservatives' conference measure the success of the Bush administration purely on their own specific issues. As National Rifle Association President Sandra Froman put it, "At the NRA, we're at the height of our power right now."
The campaign against terror has become the glue that binds the conservative movement, said Brent Bozell, founder and president of the Media Research Center, a conservative media watchdog group.
"If the fight against terror weren't part of the political equation, the focus would be on economic policy and if the focus were on economic policy, there would be an upheaval," Bozell said.
"We're ready for a candidate to assume the Reagan mantle," he said. "Bush has done an extraordinary job on the war on terror. But on economic policy, he fiddles while Rome burns."
I find RINOs more amusing than anything.
Too chicken *s*t to address me directly I see?
Is that what you're trying to pass off as intelligent discussion?
I plead guilty. Brilliant writing, brilliant analysis, brilliant advice.
But, no racial epithets there. You, I suppose, like Coulter's Muslim "n word" references.
It figures.
"I find RINOs more amusing than anything."
Yes they are, but there are a few "special" individuals not even worth addressing.
I didn't vote for Bush in the primary and I knew he wasn't conservative when I voted for him in the general, but my other option was algore, who wasn't an option.
Pearls and swine ring a bell?
I agree. How can there be so many 'tenured' RINOS hovering on FR?
It sure does; it's more meaningless drivel posted by you. We've ALL seen it.
Speaking of meaningless drivel.
Well, it's good to see you agreeing with me that you're posts are meaningless.
Last word.
What ~you~ said, Ghost!
The apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Actually, I think he daddy was "nicer," one of the most genuinely decent fellows I've ever seen in national politics.
But 41, as he said himself, didn't "do the vision thing." That is utterly unacceptable to me as a conservative. And 43 doesn't do it either.
W, though different in style from his dad, is also a non-reflective man. There is a family trait there about physical action being more central to them than thoughtfulness. But one thing I really, really like about W. is that he is not John Kerry or Al Gore. I had no trouble whatsoever taking his side. And he seems to have done great on the SCOTUS, although his impulsive instincts seem to have been to go for people like himself who are not very reflective. That would have been disaster.
"Conservatives question the sanity of those who spend all their time whining at their own side. Wonder why so many supposed Reagan Fans forget his 11th Commandment."
Would you seek to deprive freepers of singing in unison "rino" concerning most Republicans?
A couple of days ago somebody said that Graham was the same as Gore or Kerry.
We ought to have an entrance exam here!!
You're forgiven, though. You've been here a little over a month, so you're still in diapers.
If only we could believe you.
Lol, I guess you proved who was B-sh*tting.
You brat. You're going to get a spanking!
And there's something great about defending the personal charge of "liar." IN SPADES.
As though YOU would accept being called a liar and NOT defend the charge?
You have only yourself to blame you bratty brat!
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