Posted on 03/16/2006 11:56:08 PM PST by EternalVigilance
President Bush's troubles with congressional Republicans, which erupted during the backlash to the Dubai seaport deal, are rooted in policy frustrations and personal resentments that GOP lawmakers say stretch back to the opening days of the administration.
For years, the Bush White House and its allies on Capitol Hill seemed like one of the most unified teams Washington had ever seen, passing most of Bush's agenda with little dissent. Privately, however, many lawmakers felt underappreciated, ignored and sometimes bullied by what they regarded as a White House intent on running government with little input from them.
Often it was to pass items -- an expanded federal role in education under the No Child Left Behind law and an expensive prescription drug benefit under Medicare -- that left conservatives deeply uneasy. What Bush is facing now, beyond just election-year jitters by legislators eyeing his depressed approval ratings, is a rebellion that has been brewing since the days when he looked invincible, say many lawmakers and strategists.
Newly unleashed grievances could signal even bigger problems for Bush's last two years in office, as he would be forced to abandon a governing strategy that until recently counted on solid support from congressional Republicans.
*snip*
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
The Education Bill only gives the increased funding to school systems which meet the requirements (testing, improved scores for students, teacher certification, etc.) If school systems do not meet the requirements, they do not get the money. Why do you think that the NEA HATES the "No Child Left Behind" Act?
As early as August of 2004, after the convention, there are articles talking about this and his "Texas Miracle" (in which he increased spending on education, demanded accountability from Texas school systems by instituting standard tests and promoted phonics in reading education). Vouchers were only ONE portion of his education proposals, and like Reagan, he took what he could get.
Yes, Kennedy supported the bill. And Kennedy didn't understand what the bill meant, because NOW Kennedy is howling that there isn't enough money being spent. And why is that? Because schools who didn't meet the requirements don't get the money!
Sorry, but if all you heard was vouchers you weren't really paying attention.
And the President still supports vouchers, which many states are now trying to institute. You will note that the ACLU and the NEA are filing lawsuits against every voucher law enacted. They are losing, but it is a slow progress for our side as this is being fought in the courts.
If this education bill is so leftist, why does the NEA hate it? And why do you not know all the parts of his education proposals from the campaign? I knew them, and I was only a lowly campaign envelope-licker and phone answerer, and I have no access to anyone more important than my county Republican Chairman.
Medicare is not the only thing Bush has in common with LBJ. Don't let us forget spending on everything, not to mention a long never-ending war based on dubious Intel costing hundreds of Billions.
All on borrowed money.
I also noticed that no mention has yet been made of Conservative Voters being called numerous nasty names by the WH occupants. We are supposed to just shut up and trust...
I would like you to document the nasty names conservatives have been called by the White House occupants. Please provide quotes and names. Thank you.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1598257/posts
Sorry, Miss Marple. I knew you would try that. I believe you have been here far longer than I have, and you know what we have been called. Just start with my tagline.
I don't write down things like that, but I do remember, as I'm sure you do also.
Not gonna happen.
W was the best we had who could get elected. He has kept an honorable and moral White House, treated people with decency, strengthened the military, stood up to the UN, kept us safe from terrorists, lowered our taxes, killed the Kyoto treaty, and gave us two excellent Supreme Court justices.
Back in 1998, we would have killed for such a president.
People who want more conservatism should seek such a candidate and support him for 2008. Dissing Bush right now only weakens chances for success in 2008, and won't get any new goals acomplished.
AMEN, AMEN, AMEN! Well Said!
Bush increased spending 80% over his first five budgets, but the kids' knowledge has not increased. The tests are not standardized. I have a lot of teachers as clients, and a few of them are actually bright and conservative. They confirm that the teachers are teaching to score on tests, not teaching what is needed to make kids learn.
In addition, the tests are not standardized. If an investigation was done to prove that the so-called standardized tests are not standardized, it weould be a major national scandal; we all know this is fact, and my clients in the education system confirm the tests have been watered down.
The end result is the USA's kids still rank at the bottom compared to foreign students. Bush and his admin did not demand the lousy teachers be axed and the whole damn corrupt, commie infested DOE be cleaned up. The result is Bush has trashed BILLIONS of taxpayer money and the school system is as decrepit as ever.
YOU are the one who said that the White House has called conservatives names. I have been here a long time, and I don't recall ANY White House spokesperson calling conservatives names.
Put up or shut up.
Bush has absolutely nothing to lose by going conservative and everything to gain.
Boy, is that ever the truth!
Does the name Vigilante ring any bells with you or did you dismiss that one?
These critics would rather have a Democrat? I think not!!
Again, we're faced with making choices for the next election. I'm going for the most conservative I think can be elected. If my guy does not get the nomination, I'm not going to pick up my marbles and go home in a snit.
That's always been the case, but many refuse to see it.
I don't care what your clients say; they are whining because they don't like being measured. The tests are designed to show progress, and there was never an effort to say the same test should go nationwide.
Expenses for education increase as more states meet the requirements. That is not unusual.
Sorry, but I think this bill was a good idea. You, of course, don't. Not a surprise.
Tell me ONE THING that President Bush has done that you support, other than bombing terrorists. I will be surprised if you can do so.
I've had them do it to my face. Does that count?
The problem I have with Bush is, I don't know which policies of his are pandering uhhh I mean compromises just to get elected and which he really believes in. I wish I knew...
I wish I knew WHY he insists on being so out of touch with his constituency. It's maddening.
If YOU knew him you'd know he actually spells it Schitt. So there. :-P
Same here. It took Harriet Miers to show me that I really didn't know who George W. Bush was.
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