Republicans in Congress are no longer acting like Republicans.
They're acting like mature politicians. No principles except those that they think will get them reelected.
Perhaps it is our fault for allowing them to think that pork barrel projects with their name on it actually earns them points with the voters.
What can we do? We can't turn Congress over to the Democrats. Is an undisciplined Republican Congress the lesser of two evils?
Some Bush critics blame Bush for this. It isn't his fault. These are the same Congressmen and Senators who would've stabbed us in the back irregardless of which Republican was in the White House. They'd have stabbed Reagan in the back if they thought it would buy them more time in their seat.
In politics there are no friends, only interests.
There is no such thing as a "disciplined" Congress; never has been. The best situation is to have a Congress of people with ethics, knowledge - or a willingness to learn - consistent stances, and enough courage to vote them.
But the truth is that we have a gerrymandered House, and a Senate where many states are conceded to one party or the other. As long as we all vote in predetermined blocs, we won't get good people - we will get the ones selected by the state party machines. There loyalty is to the state machine - not even to the Nat'l party, and certainly not to the people.
When is it his fault, pray tell?
I used to think so. I have been proven wrong.
He could have been busy vetoing spending bills, and getting the UAE to do it this way...from the get-go. The issue couldn't have come up in the first place. He would have been immensely better off.
But put that aside.
We need to avoid public recriminations, and in particular in that regard, we need to avoid the administration appearing to sulk.
Instead, the President needs to go on television and take ownership of the fix, and thank Congress for its helpful oversight proving the wisdom of our Founder's in setting up our Government this way, conspicuously praising the conservative stalwarts who hung tough and ultimately persuaded him and made the case apparent to him that there were unsuspected issues that needed better care in these transactions. They should be on the White House lawn with him for the photo ops. He should ask them then to see about fixing the CFIUS process to better guarantee security issues are considered.
And then he should crow. Yes. You heard me, crow.
He should praise the UAE for showing that its assurances were not mere form, but substantive, that we have a real ally here, one who only wants to help us, and do business with us, and help our security, and their willingess to 'go the extra mile' and accept an autonomous subsidiary structure proves that.
This is a Win-Win if he does it right. The UAE is lauded, saving face, the President recovers appearing presidential, and is shown being a dynamic force for successful resolution, not an opponent of security...and the Conservatives in Congress get to share in the victory lap. Conspicuously avoided would be any mention of the democrats, or even a HINT of the Arabophobia-condemnation that was previously fired off in a mistaken attempt to triangulate the issue.
Term limits, term limits, term limits, ter...........................
The reason they never did anything like this to Reagan is that Reagan was never so politically inept as to put himself in a position where enemies or opportunists could outdo him in making the case to the American people.
Bush blew it, plain and simple.
I think it is perfectly reasonable for them to think exactly that. I offer Robert Byrd, and a bunch of other fossils who've been in congress since reconstruction because they bring home the goods.
I think the public gets the government they want and deserve.
I don't always agree with Dubya, but I give him credit for having a core, unlike his predecessor, who had no soul.