GOP is in 'deep funk' over Bush spending

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | 3/12/6 | Carolyn Lochhead

[SmithL]

Washington -- The Republican rebellion that President Bush smacked into with the Dubai ports deal was the tip of an iceberg of Republican discontent that is much deeper and more dangerous to the White House than a talk radio tempest over Arabs running U.S. ports.

A Republican pushback on Capitol Hill and smoldering conservative dissatisfaction have already killed not just the ports deal but key elements of Bush's domestic agenda, and threaten GOP control of Congress if unhappy conservatives sit out the November midterm elections.

The apostasy in some quarters runs to heretofore unthinkable depths.

"If I had a choice and Bush were running today against (Democratic President) Bill Clinton, I'd vote for Bill Clinton," said Bruce Bartlett, a former Reagan administration Treasury Department official whose book, "Impostor: How George Bush Bankrupted America and Betrayed the Reagan Legacy," is making the rounds of conservative think tanks and talk shows. "He was clearly a much better president in a great many ways that matter to me."

Bartlett may lie at the extreme, but his critique taps into a strong undertow -- reflected in a sharp drop in Bush's support among his typically solid Republican base, according to an Associated Press-Ipsos poll released Friday.

"Bush's compassionate conservatism has morphed into big government conservatism, and that isn't what the base is looking for," said David Keene, chairman of the American Conservative Union. "The White House and the congressional leadership have got to reinvigorate the Republican base. In off-year elections ... if your base isn't energized, particularly in a relatively evenly divided electorate, you've got more problems than you think you have."

[dirtboy]

All President Bush did is sign the bill that comes to his desk.

That's the problem - he always signs bills and never vetoes them. Ford was the weakest president in American history except perhaps for Andrew Johnson - but he used his veto pen with vigor and forced the Democrats in Congress to reduce spending.

[DustyMoment]

I won't vote again or contribute to the GOP until they get their act straight.

That'll show'em!! C'mon, Moonnman, quit throwing your tantrum!! Most of the people who visit FR, these days, have pretty strong disagreements with Bush, but we don't take our toys and go home. It is critically important that we send the message to all who currently represent us and those who want to replace Bush that our votes are not automatically theirs for the taking. We have expectations and criteria they must meet to EARN our vote. That means, they have to start meeting conservative principles and start slashing the Bloated Bush Budget and start trimming the fat out of government (just getting rid of Teddy (hick!) Chappaquiddick would be a great beginning!).

I agree that the current 'Pubbie respresentation is a huge disappointment, but WE are the ones who have to tell them what the metrics are if they want to keep their job. If we don't tell them, they don't know what we want and they will continue to do what the MSM tells them.

[Dont_Tread_On_Me_888]

FACT: the 911 charity from the Fed was filled with fraud and waste.

FACT: the Fed $$$ for the 2004 Florida hurricanes had massive fraud and waste, much of what I have first hand experience with.

FACT: Even knowing how much fraud and waste was involved in these "relief efforts" there has been ZERO accountability with the galactic sized billions of taxpayer blood and sweat being sent to New Orleans and LA.

No Republican should have any faith in the oversight and management of the Bush administration.

FACT: You never hear the words "limited government" mentioned by GOP "leaders" (what a blasphemy that is to call them leaders). They acknowledge that to use the term "limited government" would be met with such a hoot they dare not ever say that phrase again.

Conservatives have been flipped the finger by the GOP.

[jammer]

Credibility? To people like you? I would be ashamed if I had it.

For the record, I don't smoke--and don't advocate smoking--pot. It is only a person without an argument who makes that sort of assumption and accusation--or one who is dishonest and has to use ad hominem instead of debating the point at issue.

[Stellar Dendrite]

LOL

[johnny7]

To people like you?

People like me? You a Buchananite too?!