I'm sorry but it is not just "conservatives" who own the republican party. I'm a staunch pro-life, tax cutting, conservative also but I refuse to attack and then blame this president on issues that he truly has very little control over. He may have all the greatest ideas in the world, but guess what, congress first has to pass them, and second local authorities then have to enforce them!!!
A lot of the so-called lack of support comes from fear of people just like you (buchannanites)trying to hijack the party. YUCK!!
I am so sick of the blame Bush crowd I can't say it enough. Most of these issues were going on long before today but suddenly because the liberals know just what buttons to push the reactionary republicans start destroying their own right on cue.
Way to go folks, bring down the party this way and you'll really have something to bitch about which seems like all you're really good at and want to do anyway!!!
Melanie's column is exactly right on. This has nothing to do with Buchananites or taking over a party. It has to do with addressing important issues facing the American people.
On Iraq, the President is totally correct. The beef is that this has to be one of the worst commmunications efforts in world history. The facts, truth, justice are all on the President's side, but he is losing the PR war. This is ridiculous that they do such a poor job of selling our foreign policy at home AND abroad.
On immigration, this problem is out of control. Forget the Minutemen issue, how about addressing the issue of our porous borders?
It is time that Congress and the President make some progress on the immigration issue in some way. Instead, they come up with stupid, Democrat-sounding ideas like giving everyone $100 to pay their gasoline bill. How stupid and short sighted.
If the Republicans don't stop their antics, center-right voters are going to stay home on election day, which will be a disaster. It is incumbent on the Republicans to get their act together before it is too late!
Bush was pushing this back in 2004 after agreeing to terms of his proposal with Mexico's Vincente Fox.
If he were just sitting back and being silent that would be one thing. He'd be criticized here and on talk radio for inaction, but it wouldn't be anything like it is now where his poll numbers AMONG CONSERVATIVES are now taking a big hit.
For some reason Bush is defiant on this issue. While I mention it, Bush and the GOPers in Congress have also been awful on spending.
At some point there has to be accountability. Instead I was just talking with Melanie about the fact the U.S. government caved in and will provide aid to the Palestinians who now have Hamas running their government.
Why must we keep giving in to those who do not represent America's best interests (the illegal alien lobby, Hamas, and to a lesser extent trying to placate the anti-war crowd here at home?)
President Bush has lost an enormous amount of the support he had after 9/11---by both RATS and Republicans. If I recall correctly, he was at 90% or more.
President Bush has been faced with more severe natural and manmade attacks to our country than any other president in the history of this country. Thankfully, he has has handled most very well. Unfortunately, he is 100% wrong on the illegal alien issue!
Think of it this way: President Bush is like the President of the "corporation" of the United States of America. Senators and Representatives are like the Directors of the "corporation." Those who are eligible to vote are the "stockholders" (e.g. U.S. citizens who registered). Those who are not eligible to vote (e.g. illegal aliens, permanent residents and foreign Presidents), are not "stockholders" and they are not supposed to have any say over how the "corporation" is run. Indeed, it would be irresponsible for a corporate President and its Directors to totally ignore the "stockholders" and the corporation's By-Laws.
The majority of "stockholders" who chose to exercise their right to vote (for Presidential Electors), spoke. They wanted someone who means what he says and says what he means. They wanted "a uniter, not a divider." They wanted a social conservative, someone who would nominate Supreme Court Justices who would strictly adhere to the U. S. Constitution and not add new meaning to it. They wanted President Bush.
The Electors were chosen and President Bush was elected.
The problem stems from the fact that loyalty is extremely important to President Bush! But he seems to have forgotten that loyalty is a TWO-WAY street!
The "stockholders" elected him to "preserve, protect and defend" the Constitution and the sovereignty of the country from all enemies, foreign and domestic. Because President Bush has totally ignored (i.e. been disloyal to) the "stockholders" on the issue of securing the border---the most important job he has to do---those who voted for him feel they have been used and taken for granted. They feel it is incredible that NEARLY FIVE YEARS AFTER 9/11, the borders are STILL NOT SECURE!!! And that instead of listening to the "stockholders," he is listening to those who are not "stockholders," and even to another country's President (Vincente Fox)---yet we are having to pay for it, in security, new diseases and healthcare, lower wages, language, etc.
How do I know what the people who elected President Bush think? I have investigated the pulse of the people. Number one, I have three degrees and experience that are marketing-related and I have talked to hundreds of people about the issue. Number two, I watch Fox News (primarily) and listen to and call into talk shows, both locally and nationally.
Number three, I was one of the 286 Electors who literally elected President Bush and I know I did not vote for him to look the other way when our country is being invaded, particularly from our southern border!!!
If President Bush somehow sees or hear about this response, I hope that he will also see and abide by my motto: It's NEVER wrong to do what's RIGHT!!!
I hope he will drop the idea of listening to and REWARDING people who DISREGARD our entry laws, flag and language and who commit IMMIGRATION FRAUD, IDENTITY FRAUD, VOTER FRAUD, MAIL FRAUD and participate in ORGANIZED CRIME (R.I.C.O.) (i.e. participate in rallies to register non-U.S. citizens to vote), etc., instead of INCARCERATING or DEPORTING them.
President Bush could save face by disclosing that the American "stockholders" have spoken---LOUD and CLEAR! They want the borders secure and NO AMNESTY FOR CRIMINALS. We need H.R. 4437!
Hopefully, the Senators will drop the idea as well and support H.R. 4437. If illegal aliens can no longer be hired or get "free" healthcare, and they truly risk incarceration or deportation and NEVER being allowed to become a U.S. citizen after being in the U. S. illegally, that should take care of a lot of the financial incentive to stay and many would probably leave "voluntarily."
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.