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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: NewLand
Credible source please?

Common Sense

Another source, his poll numbers are in the 20s on immigration 24%-26%. Under 30%, you've LOST your base.

Credible source? FR for one...all you have to do is read the opinions.

Credible source? Sean Hannity, Lou Dobbs, Rush Limbaugh, Laura Ingraham

601 posted on 05/10/2006 9:57:25 PM PDT by MaineVoter2002 (http://jednet207.tripod.com/PoliticalLinks.html)
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To: Howlin
No self-respecting political insider would hang around a web site arguing with a housewife, FGS.

That about sizes it up. On the one hand I don't see this debate as any different than any other that has polarized this forum over the years. And on the other, I don't see this forum driving any specific issue in an effective fashion.

And finally (how many is that?), I do remember Harriet Myers as an example of the right-wing press producing a change. In the long run that may be the only good that comes from this conflict.

Overall I support the Minutemen building a fence and producing results and I'm not convinced (yet) that the BP provided information to the Mexican government but I wouldn't be suprised.

But you can bet your bottom dollar that politicians are paying attention and so far the mobs in the streets have provided the best illustration of the next emerging voting block. So if I was a betting man I'd say that if immigration focused voters were to counter the Mayday protests they have their work cut out for them.

Thankfully I don't have to worry, in Maryland I will vote for a black Republican candidate that will turn the tide on over 30 years of Democratic control of the state.

And that's a start.

602 posted on 05/10/2006 9:58:06 PM PDT by nunya bidness (“Unsung, the noblest deed will die.” - Pindar)
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To: SoCalPol
I'm getting e-mails from Frist indicating the same thing, SoCal.

He's getting it. We need to apply pressure BIG time.

603 posted on 05/10/2006 9:58:16 PM PDT by ohioWfan (PROUD Mom of an Iraqi LIBERATION Vet! THANKS, son!!.)
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To: MaineVoter2002
Furthermore, I had to stop listening to Michael Savage because I cannot stand his Bush-bashing. I recognised long ago that his Bush-bashing was solely to attract liberal listeners and NOT as much issue-related. I cant stand listening to Savage because of it.

Yes, same here.

Savage is a freaking moron.

I think the last time I managed 30 seconds of his screeching he was calling the Iraq campaign, "Bush's war" and spouting Dem talking points. I have not even thought about listening to him since.

Savage is a charlatan out to sell books.

604 posted on 05/10/2006 9:58:44 PM PDT by A message
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To: BraveMan
Let me start out by saying I believe Reagan was/is the greatest President in my g-g-generation, so far (I'm not quite dead yet). His greatest mistake IMHO was the amnesty granted to the illegals of the day. Since then the problem has increased by an order of magnitude. The tired cliche, "those who cannot remember history . . ." still rings true as we slouch inexorably towards socialism. Believe the rhetoric if you will; don't fault others for not doing the same

I agree. FReepers may think because I am against GW on so many issues that I am a dem troll. Not at all. Reagan was the greatest & maybe my fault is believing that a 2nd Reagan can appear in my lifetime. This guy, GW, is a total imposter of him.

605 posted on 05/10/2006 9:59:51 PM PDT by Digger
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To: MaineVoter2002

Only one poll matters, and it can't be found in the Compost, NY Slimes or C-BS.


606 posted on 05/10/2006 10:00:32 PM PDT by RasterMaster (NO MORE "BIG TENTS" - ALL YOU GET ARE CLOWNS AND CIRCUS FREAKS!)
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To: ohioWfan
It is a Dem governor in Arizona who vetoed stronger measures

Oh, yes... Nappy is a piece of work and (according to Zogby) 30 points ahead of Goldwater for November. I'm afraid our state is taking a left turn politically... not sure if it's the immigrants from the South or the West.

607 posted on 05/10/2006 10:01:21 PM PDT by Arizona Carolyn
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To: SoCalPol

That's what I've thought he should have done all along but sometimes just got to give the kids time to play. I still don't think it will get the 60 needed but at least all the obstructionist will be put on record and I hope he puts a fence bill out there with no amendments and that way there's no excuses.


608 posted on 05/10/2006 10:03:05 PM PDT by tobyhill (The War on Terrorism is not for the weak.)
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To: ohioWfan
The more you guys alienate Bush supporters, the less help you'll get

Point well taken ... but the Bush supporters need to realize this goes both ways.

Insults and name calling are not particularly effective ways to win friends and influence people.

609 posted on 05/10/2006 10:03:18 PM PDT by Oliver Optic
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To: SoCalPol
Well, we know who it is who gets out and gets the work done.

If the NON trolls........whoever they are, really want to get a strong grassroots activism action going, they need to STOP attacking anyone who defends President Bush and his character.

The trolls want that. They don't want the problem solved because they're leftists.

It's the legitimate conservatives that need to wise up, and stop siding with the leftist Bush haters.

We need to stick together on this, and these thugs are driving a wedge deep between us. If they don't get a grip of their out of control anger and emotions, the divide is going to be permanent.

610 posted on 05/10/2006 10:03:52 PM PDT by ohioWfan (PROUD Mom of an Iraqi LIBERATION Vet! THANKS, son!!.)
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To: NewLand

It is not the first time I have heard that term.


611 posted on 05/10/2006 10:05:08 PM PDT by KC Burke (Men of intemperate minds can never be free....)
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To: A message

Thank you for your support. I'm frustrated and P/O with the congress and the President for not providing the leadership many of us believe is needed in this area. But we aren't going to sit on our hands or push the "D" or "L" lever in the voting booth this fall. Those who think we will are badly mistaken.


612 posted on 05/10/2006 10:05:15 PM PDT by CedarDave (Gen. McCaffrey: "There is a rapidly growing animosity" among U.S. troops in Iraq toward the press...)
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To: MaineVoter2002
Another source, his poll numbers

Will they never learn? You need to do better than that.

My common sense says that the majority of American people who are paying attention to any of this blame the marchers and the socialist-commie organizers, not The President.

All the others you named have expressed their opinion...although I like all of them except Lou Dobbs, and I do have disagreements with GWB on this issue...well, opinions are like you-know-whats---everybody has one.

Summary: common sense says your "source" is no better than mine.

613 posted on 05/10/2006 10:05:51 PM PDT by NewLand (Posting against liberalism since the 20th century!)
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To: KJC1
Who the hell do you think is going to win if GOPers sit out or vote 3rd party in the next election? DUH.

Frankly, if we don't secure our borders by building a wall and deport these 11 million future liberal voters, it won't really matter now...will it.
614 posted on 05/10/2006 10:06:10 PM PDT by Old_Mil (http://www.constitutionparty.org - Forging a Rebirth of Freedom.)
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To: nunya bidness
I'm not convinced (yet) that the BP provided information to the Mexican government but I wouldn't be suprised

That's where I stand. Bush has yet to lie to us on anything. I do realise that Bush has run on this guestworker program...actually since 2000. I cannot blame him for trying to pass something he ran on. Most of the problems I have with the Bush administration is its lack of discrediting the left's lies... from WMD (which was NOT the primary reason that we went to Iraq) to the wiretapping of Al Qaeda.

I cant wait until Scott Mclellan leaves...he's been a nightmare.

615 posted on 05/10/2006 10:06:39 PM PDT by MaineVoter2002 (http://jednet207.tripod.com/PoliticalLinks.html)
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To: ohioWfan

OhioWfan,
Despite the fact that many repubs are for sealing the border, those republicans in office have not done so. Both parties have reasons for wanting an open border and have thumbed their noses at doing anything but obfuscate and debate.
Allowing illegal immigration to continue equals:

a. Licenses for illegals
b. Education for illegals
c. Welfare and healthcare assistance for illegals

Both parties allowing rampant illegal migration = both parties not caring about a.b. or c. Then there is d.:
d. voting by illegals
Both parties hope to woo this potential illegal voting bloc and they have shamelessly shown it again by their refusal to address illegal immigration and enforce our borders. Just the fact they are worried about who will get these voters is very telling in and of itself.
If they are illegals and not citizens, why are both parties wooing their vote? Because they KNOW that these illegal residents are already voting (thanks to motor voter)!
I would argue that there is no difference on this issue, as actions speak louder than words - but I do give the House Republicans credit for trying.


616 posted on 05/10/2006 10:06:52 PM PDT by antceecee (Hey AG Gonzales! ENFORCE IMMIGRATION LAWS NOW!!!)
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To: KC Burke

You're about to find out why... :)


617 posted on 05/10/2006 10:07:08 PM PDT by NewLand (Posting against liberalism since the 20th century!)
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To: RasterMaster
15. Capture one or both of the political parties in the United States. (Accomplished)

Thanks for the link, RasterMaster! I had those Communist Party Handbook points long ago but lost them. ( have bookmarked it. ( http://www.semperliber.org/communistgoalsfulfilled.htm )

Everyone should print it out and study it. Certainly they have been quite successful in destroying our schools, art, morals, etc.

25 years ago, as an investigative reporter for a statewide paper, I infiltrated a meeting of the DSOC (Democratic Socialist Organizing Committee) in the shadow of our capitol building. (I'll have to see if I can dig it up - for everything I heard and wrote has come to fruition. They have completed their mission and we know which party they took over. (Teddy boy was their great white hope and they were lamenting his defeat in the dem pres. primaries back then = which dealt them a great blow. (In addition to the points listed in Communist Agenda, this meeting also outlined their plan to get control of the retirement plan funds. We've seen some disasters there in the ensuing 25 years.

But, as we see, they recovered.

Bush's victory in the last 2 elections has infuriated them to a frothing hate that corrodes everything they say and do. They were so close to final victory, only to have it snatched from them.

It amazes me, and frightens me, that so many people don't understand the 'democratic party' is no more.

Zell said it - no one listens.

The democratic party is thoroughly socialist now and so will this county be if we allow the MSM, the rats in DC and the rat sleepers in here to get the upper hand.

618 posted on 05/10/2006 10:07:29 PM PDT by maine-iac7 ("...but you can't fool all of the people all of the time." LINCOLN)
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To: ohioWfan
I'm quite educated on this issue. I worked for a San Diego Republican politician in 1990, and I saw hundreds of fed up people showing up for town hall meetings way back then because nobody was doing anything about the invasion. I saw a Congressman try to have a town hall meeting about Social Secuirty and all people wanted to talk about was illegal aliens overrunning their neighborhoods. That Congressman got thrown out in the next election because he supported amnesty.

I have heard Karl Rove explain his strategy before the 2000 election. It worked for George Bush when he ran for Governor of Texas and he got 35% of the Hispanic vote. I thought it made sense at the time and would help build a permanent Republican majority. I know all the arguments. But the facts on the ground have changed radically since 2000. Mexico is now a corrupt, failed state and is deliberately sending as many of its people as possible over here because it can't produce any jobs for them in its corrupt economic system. Now we have banks offering checking accounts to illegals and making home loans to them, states wanting to give them driver's licenses, landlords renting houses and apartments crowded with dozens of people, hospitals near the border closing because they can't afford to provide free treatment to the hordes of illegals, and massive amounts of crime being committed. The City of San Diego is bankrupt. In 1990 it was just a nuisance to have your car wrecked by an occasional illegal with no insurance or have a "family" of 15 move into the apartment next door. In 2006 it is a big deal when you have to go 200 miles to the nearest hospital because the one in your community has closed, or your kid is going to school in a trailer with a barely qualified teacher because all the illegal kids are overcrowding the school. Those people in the Che Guevara T-shirts are not future Republican voters. And Karl Rove appears to be completely oblivious to all of this.

619 posted on 05/10/2006 10:08:04 PM PDT by Dems_R_Losers
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To: Chena

Meanwhile, they stop the highly successful interior enforcement activities of the BP and have done virtually NO worksite enforcement. They "caught" over 1,000 illegals and almost all were released within 5 hours.

I don't believe a word of that garbage. I believe what I can SEE happening.


620 posted on 05/10/2006 10:08:07 PM PDT by Politicalmom (If fences don't work, why is there a fence around the White House?)
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