Political perfectionists are those who toss over progress, for idealistic purity. For instance, the statement I will not support President Bush or one more member of the GOP until they build a wall around the country and kick out every illegal in the matter of two weeks. (You can substitute any single issue we care about there.)
A Political pragmatist on the other hand (defined by the second meaning, not explained by the first in your posted definition) says look, the number one priority right now is to win the WOT, and more specifically, win the battles we are currently engaged in...Iraq and Afghanistan, and moving towards Iran. Budget, borders, education, governmental shrinkage, SS and a myriad other issues are important, but must be prioritized within a given set of facts on the ground. Put the most time, energy and resources into the most pressing issue...make progress on all others that will not compromise the first.
Unfortunately, what has happened around here is, those of us who may disagree with the President or Congress on many things, but remain focused and understanding of the need to prioritize and gasp, compromise, are deemed Bushbots.
Anyone who understands there is more than one way to win a war, and are able to pull back and see a bigger picture...are deemed Bushbots (or the heavily loaded moniker neocon, which frankly is often used interchangeably with Jewish.)
Anyone who does not run around yelling fire, fire we're all doomed, but instead is willing to patiently sit back and wait for more information, is a Bushbot.
Anyone who says, I disagree on this, but I usually agree...is a Bushbot.
Anyone who admires the President personally, and thinks he is smarter than he sometimes sounds...is a Bushbot.
Anyone who thinks he made the right decision on Spector, because in the end we got Roberts and Alito...is a Bushbot.
And the list goes on and on. It's not about questioning some decisions the President makes..it's about staying home because progress just isn't good enough.
The point is, I have NEVER met a single "Bushbot" that didn't disagree with the President on something. But there are probably thirty or forty very active posters that agree with the President on NOTHING. Some of these people are my friends and have excellent things to say. But when it comes to politics, they are perfectionists and as PD says..."It amazes me that when Conservatism is one vote away from winning the 40 year battle over Roe-v-Wade, some you would risk that opportunity with a Democrat-controlled Congress because you don’t want some Mexican citizen to have the legal right to pick your Strawberries."
That is what I mean by pragmatist. To stand back and really, really understand the alternatives. It may not fit your definition...but I think I truly understood what Medved was talking about. Because he pointed out that the left has their own version...and it is no more effective there.
A true pragmatist would put national security over winning the WOT