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Hard Core Republicans Are Fleeing President
The Washington Post ^ | May 11, 2006 | JIm VandeHei and Peter Baker

Posted on 05/10/2006 7:15:13 PM PDT by Dems_R_Losers

Disaffection over spending and immigration have caused conservatives to take flight from President Bush and the Republican Congress at a rapid pace in recent weeks, sending Bush's approval ratings to record lows and presenting a new threat to the GOP's 12-year reign on Capitol Hill, according to White House officials, lawmakers and new polling data.

Bush and Congress have suffered a decline in support from almost every part of the conservative coalition over the past year, a trend that has accelerated with alarming implications for Bush's governing strategy.

The Gallup polling organization recorded a 13-percentage-point drop in Republican support for Bush in the past couple weeks. These usually reliable voters are telling pollsters and lawmakers they are fed up with what they see as out-of-control spending by Washington and an abandonment of core conservative principles more generally.

There are also significant pockets of conservatives turning on Bush and Congress over the their failure to tighten immigration laws, restrict gay marriage and to put an end to the Iraq war and the rash of political scandals, according to lawmakers and pollsters.

Bush won two presidential elections by pursuing a political and governing model that was predicated on winning and sustaining the loyal backing of social, economic and foreign policy conservatives. The strategy was based on the belief that conservatives, who are often more politically active than the general public, could be inspired to vote in larger numbers and would serve as a reliable foundation for his presidency. The theory, as explained by Bush strategists, is that the president would enjoy a floor below which his support would never fall.

It is now apparent that this floor has weakened dramatically and collapsed in places.

(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Front Page News; Government; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: adolescents; borderlist; bush; bushbots; conservatives; gopcheerleader; sickofrinos; wetoleratenodissent
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To: 2rightsleftcoast

The Judas Wingnuts who bash Bush 24/7 do it for the same reason the Lefties do it -- because he won't do what they want and he doesn't listen to them.

The President's position on immigration reform was spelled out BEFORE the 2004 election. People who voted for him then and are now complaining that he hasn't changed his position on that issue in the past 18 months are like newbie wives upset that their hubbies haven't changed into what they wanted.

Memo to border malcontents: The President does not respond well to people who pee on his boots all the time and then threaten him.


141 posted on 05/10/2006 7:54:09 PM PDT by You Dirty Rats (I Love Free Republic!!!)
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To: philoso12

According to White House website, "Catch and Release" is dead.


142 posted on 05/10/2006 7:54:13 PM PDT by RasterMaster (NO MORE "BIG TENTS" - ALL YOU GET ARE CLOWNS AND CIRCUS FREAKS!)
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To: KJC1





Eyeroll... so put me on 'The List'.


143 posted on 05/10/2006 7:54:57 PM PDT by SouthernFreebird
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To: philoso12

I'd have to go re-read the link posted upthread from the WH and I'm shutting down my different browsers and getting ready to go read a book.


144 posted on 05/10/2006 7:55:06 PM PDT by Peach
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To: MJY1288
80% of the people who turn every thread on this forum into a flame war have been bashing this president since day one, the other 20% have been hypnotized by the MSM and now believe the DNC talking points

You are obviously wearing blinders to those who are PISSED.

Do so at your own peril!

145 posted on 05/10/2006 7:55:08 PM PDT by Randy Larsen (THE MUSIC CANTEEN ROCKS MY WEEKENDS!)
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To: Unmarked Package
Amen

Amen

Amen

146 posted on 05/10/2006 7:55:40 PM PDT by maine-iac7 ("...but you can't fool all of the people all of the time." LINCOLN)
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To: Dems_R_Losers
Hey, we're too "extreme" and "fringe". They don't need nor do they want our votes, anyway.

I don't see why everyone's getting so upset.

/no sarc

147 posted on 05/10/2006 7:55:46 PM PDT by manwiththehands
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To: Randy Larsen
You are obviously wearing blinders to those who are PISSED.

OOOOH I'm askared.

148 posted on 05/10/2006 7:56:00 PM PDT by Texasforever (I have neither been there nor done that.)
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To: Peach
Since President Bush took office, agents have apprehended and sent home more than 6 million people entering the country illegally - including more than 400,000 with criminal records.

With another 10 million illegals here, it would appear he isn't doing such a good job of protecting us from the invaders. How many companies has he prosecuted for hiring the illegal invaders? How many contributions have the various parties received from the companies that hire the illegal invaders? Our system of bribes has gotten so far our of hand that most politicians take the money and look away from the illegal invasion without once considering that they may be committing treason by selling their country.

149 posted on 05/10/2006 7:56:21 PM PDT by ghostrider
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To: DevSix

Does this mean we should not convey our disapproval to our representatives regarding the largest domestic spending increase in 40 years?

That we should not remind GWB that he has the power to veto spending?


150 posted on 05/10/2006 7:56:47 PM PDT by listenhillary (The original Contract with America - The U.S. Constitution)
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To: You Dirty Rats

Exactly! I don't know why they're acting like they suddenly discovered that President Bush supports a guest worker program. He RAN on that.


151 posted on 05/10/2006 7:56:47 PM PDT by ilovew (Democrat enablers are not conservatives.)
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To: Peach
Wow. I'm glad you weren't speaking out during WWII.

For your information my oldest brother was killed on active duty in WWII, my father was in WWI, my uncle was killed in WWI, another brother was shot twice in Korea. And I don't think you are all that funny. So why do you want to spew hate at everyone?

152 posted on 05/10/2006 7:56:51 PM PDT by org.whodat (Never let the facts get in the way of a good assumption.)
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To: ghostrider
Now is a golden opportunity for an Independent to make it to the top.

Oh, good grief.......

153 posted on 05/10/2006 7:56:54 PM PDT by maine-iac7 ("...but you can't fool all of the people all of the time." LINCOLN)
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To: Peach

Some people won't let facts get in the way of their personal agendas ala temper tantrum.


154 posted on 05/10/2006 7:57:00 PM PDT by Chena (I'm not young enough to know everything.)
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To: org.whodat
Let's see I was active duty 1967-1971, at what time did Vietnam become enough.

Vietnam = Iraq? Is that you John? Does TeRAYza know you are up this late?

155 posted on 05/10/2006 7:57:21 PM PDT by You Dirty Rats (I Love Free Republic!!!)
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To: philoso12

""More than 600,000 illegal immigrants were apprehended through the Arizona Border Control Initiative last year"

"It is my understanding that those apprehended were released with a summons to appear in court. Is this correct?"

If they are OTM (other than Mexicans) probably, but most mexicans are actually shipped back to Mexico (where alas, there is little stopping them from just trying again).
Bush administration is also trying to end the 'catch and release' process.


156 posted on 05/10/2006 7:57:27 PM PDT by WOSG (Do your duty, be a patriot, support our Troops - VOTE!)
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To: Howlin

Great link. Post that everywhere you can. I often think of where we could be right now. And sometimes I think we are just sitting in a holding pattern before landing at that destination. Only a united conservative front will stop it.


157 posted on 05/10/2006 7:57:27 PM PDT by del4hope (Do not covet thy neighbors' country)
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To: mathluv; Southack; SJackson

Southack and SJackson deserve all the credit....


158 posted on 05/10/2006 7:57:29 PM PDT by mystery-ak (Army Wife and Army Mother.....toughest job in the military)
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To: RasterMaster
According to White House website, "Catch and Release" is dead.

Really?

159 posted on 05/10/2006 7:57:37 PM PDT by burzum (A single reprimand does more for a man of intelligence than a hundred lashes for a fool.--Prov 17:10)
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To: mystery-ak

That's a lot of money, isn't it?


160 posted on 05/10/2006 7:57:40 PM PDT by Doohickey (Democrats are nothing without a constituency of victims.)
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