Republicans Are Blowing It [Melanie Morgan Column]

World Net Daily ^ | 05/12/2006 | Melanie Morgan

[PhilipFreneau]

>>>Just who are his political advisors and what side are they on?<<<

I am not sure if I would place him in the category of "political advisor", but Bush has from the beginning stated he and Vicente Fox were friends.

[Ivana Denisovich]

Just who are his political advisors and what side are they on?

Perhaps Tony Snow is making a difference?

[Concerned]

IDEAS_OVER_PARTY RESPONDED TO ME: "It would go a very, very, long way to get the conservatives back...Just who are his political advisors and what side are they on?"

I know I would feel a whole lot better! I don't know who President Bush's political advisors are (except Karl Rove, whom I have met), but I sure wouldn't mind taking a shot at improving his PR to increase his approval numbers. If he would allow me to help him with it, I feel very certain I could help.

I love President and Mrs. Bush! I have met them several times and have even been kissed by President Bush on the eve of his second election as Governor (yes, Laura was right there). I have been to all four Inaugurations and Inaugural Balls, plus I have been to the Black Tie and Boots Ball.

Eight years ago, I had high hopes for President Bush that he had the makings of being the best President we have ever had---even topping Reagan---because of the Republican House and Senate. I thought, then, that I would like to be a speech writer for him. Interestingly, I actually met his speech writer at the first Presidential Ball.

I was honored to serve as an Elector for him and would do it again in a heartbeat! I truly do want him to well and I have not given up hope that he can turn things around on his support IF he will drop the idea of giving amnesty and U. S. citizenship to criminal invaders and go WHOLE HOG on SUPPORTING H. R. 4437.

Mr. President, if you are listening, I'm available to help! =/:o)

[Ivana Denisovich]

Well, that's disappointing.

[Ivana Denisovich]

AAUUUGGGHHH! I wish I didn't read the link you provided. Ok, there's no hope Snow will be an improvement. Maybe somebody else in the WH is actually listening.

From the link:
The business-creation rate among Hispanic Americans has reached three times the national average, and is growing.

The majority of these businesses are gardening, concrete work, daycares, and housecleaning. Low income work. (I get cards and fliers on my front door every day in broken misspelled English for this work.) Not businesses that contribute much in taxes nor hire well-paid employees. Enough to give the person the EIC and other free handouts.

[JasonC]

Did liberals push buttons to get Bush to propose an amnesty? Or does he believe in his heart of hearts that it is so overwhelmingly the right thing to do, that he is being high minded, principled, and smart, to insist nobly against his base (and 70-80% of the public) that amnesty is a great idea?

Face it. There is such a thing as an unforced error. Liberals didn't maneuver anybody into it, and no, Bush never had any reason to expect the country to rise and applaud his dumb policy. Having the courage of your convictions is a wonderful thing we you are right. When you aren't, it is painful to behold and its consequences thoroughly predictable. And entirely self inflicted.

[tertiary01]

...And if you wait long enough you might even get some to resource articles from Southern Poverty Law Center as a basis for their arguments!~!!Go figure

[Impeach98]

WOSG: I completely disagree with Powerline's assessment and here's why.

The President and Republicans have not picked up ANY support for any of their "left turns."

The Powerline argument would make sense if Bush had a 47% approval rating, but was nonetheless taking heat from his conservative base.

Instead, the President and GOP are alienating a growing number of conservatives, and yet Democrats and Independents are all expressing displeasure with Bush and the GOP.

So what have we gained? Nothing.

All we have managed to do is instead see the base that held Bush in the 35%-45% approval zone start to drift away. That's bad political strategy. Again, it's what Melanie said, the President and some GOP leaders are betraying conservative principles AND at the same time shooting themselves in the foot politically. It's the dumbest political thinking I've seen in a while.

Reagan didn't win over Independents and Reagan Democrats by being squishy. He won them over by appealing to the facets of their being that were conservative. In that case it was being anti-Communist and pro-American and economically conservative (appealing to greater economic liberty and lower taxes).

[WOSG]

"The President and Republicans have not picked up ANY support for any of their "left turns." ... Instead, the President and GOP are alienating a growing number of conservatives, and yet Democrats and Independents are all expressing displeasure with Bush and the GOP."

I agree with you on this and have made the same point to others on these boards.

However, that's not the nub of the powerline argument, which really boils down to the "they arent perfect, but they are better than any realistic alternative" argument. Powerline was mainly telling us not to go 'wobbly' and run away from the GOP, but stand our ground and fight for the best policies we can, now and on election day.

We will have either a center-right coalition running this country or a center-left coalition running this country....
which do we want?

"Reagan didn't win over Independents and Reagan Democrats by being squishy. He won them over by appealing to the facets of their being that were conservative. In that case it was being anti-Communist and pro-American and economically conservative (appealing to greater economic liberty and lower taxes)."

Right. Add in social conservative / traditional moral values and you have the 3-legged stool of the Republican coalition.