Bush's Base Betrayal

The Washington Post ^ | Sunday, May 21, 2006 | Richard A. Viguerie

[gwb43_2004]

As a candidate in 2000, George W. Bush was a Rorschach test. Country Club Republicans saw him as another George H.W. Bush; some conservatives, thinking wishfully, saw him as another Ronald Reagan. He called himself a "compassionate conservative," which meant whatever one wanted it to mean. Experts from across the party's spectrum were flown to Austin to brief Bush and reported back: "He's one of us."

Republicans were desperate to retake the White House, conservatives were desperate to get the Clinton liberals out and there was no direct heir to Reagan running for president. So most conservatives supported Bush as the strongest candidate -- some enthusiastically and some, like me, reluctantly. After the disastrous presidency of his father, our support for the son was a triumph of hope over experience.

[bella1]

"I have given thousands of dollars and thousands of hours to the Republican party. This year I will give neither. I don't care what happens to the clowns running the Republican party now."

That's my story too. Now when I receive a "letter" from any Republican organization, I send it back with a nice little note explaining why I will no longer be a contributing member. Maybe when our government gets serious about stopping illegal immigration I might reconsider, but as of right now I have had it with the Republican party; particularly the spineless senate.

[Nuc1]

"Republican presidents haven't always been successful at selecting justices - Warren, Brennan, Blackmum, Stevens, Kennedy, Souter, O'Connor"

Quite correct. I wish you could look into a persons soul to see if they are conning you, but you can't. In this presidents can only do their homework and hope for the best, just like the rest of us. GWB has done all right so far, with a little help from his friendly conservative base. I think he will do us proud again if the need arises.

We shouldn't have to worry about the nine dictators since they don't have the power of judicial review granted by the constitution. Indeed congress could strip them of this power any time they wanted too. What an imperfect world we live in. Either I am gittin tired or my spell checker is actin up...oops I gues I am getting tired. ;) Good night.

[Arizona Carolyn]

Our biggest problem is the choices we've been offered. When there is no serious competition, in anything, it allows you to get lazy or sloppy or both.

[apackof2]

succumbing to temptation doesn't inexorably make them a bad person, that's all.

Ok I can agree with you here as we are all subject to temptation and can fall into to sin unless we guard our hearts and minds

[Arizona Carolyn]

So far, Newt gets my vote.

[Nuc1]

I have a target rich environment, Lahey, Jeffords, and Sanders. I can't miss!

[unseen]

Oh yeah all those latin countries are sooo powerful. wow what if Cuba got involved?

Per the SEC of DEF we have 445,000 national guardsman plus active duty, plus the coast guard, plus the border patrol, plus law enforcement, plus anyone with a rifle if the Latin American countries cross the border. Come on. You think we can't handle some corrupt national police states. Look at Panama if you want to see what would happen to them.

[Arizona Carolyn]

I care about how well the man will steer the country. There is two people in every marriage and it's never a good idea to blame either party unless you know both sides as an independent observer. Newt is smart and most of all, he knows history and why it shouldn't be repeated.

[HitmanLV]

I agree with you 100%. You are right about guarding your heart & mind, and said it much better than I did. Thanks. That was exactly my point.

[Arizona Carolyn]

If Iraq suceeds and South and Central America along with Mexico fall to communism (again) it will be, at best, a wash.

[org.whodat]

Oops, better not think that Newt is a "real conservative." If you do, you too will be buying damaged goods. I was absolutely on board with everything Newt at first until I watched him sell out his conservatives in the House during the first "government shut down."

The worst trick Newt pulled, was when they had the IRS on the ropes over all their foul-ups, and instead of redoing the tax code, he said we'll run on that next year. He's a JOKE.

[BW2221]

I read an article about Jeb Bush running in '08 and damn near went through the roof. No more Bush's in the White House--ever again.

I agree. Regardless of whether Katherine Harris is winnable, she sure didn't need JEB to stab her in the back after all she has done for the Bush family.

The time to take Rudy, McCain and JEB types out is in the primaries.

[Arizona Carolyn]

McCain isn't going anywhere. The man is obcessed with becoming President -- heaven help us all if he is elected.

[Arizona Carolyn]

People tend to forget that it would be exponentially worse if the Democrats were in power.

=======================================

You mean they aren't? Couldn't prove it by me.

How else do you explain Teddy Kennedy steering immigration policy in this country?

[unseen]

I let God forgive the sin. I'm human not divine. I simply choose to not be around people that have shown character flaws like cheating or lying. Call me crazy, to me if they did it once they will do it again. Does that make them bad people? In a general sense no but to me yes in that I do not want to be around them in a close personal relationship where trust is needed.

[Arizona Carolyn]

I lost respect for Jeb over how he handled the Schievo matter.

[HitmanLV]

I don't disagree with you, and I share your sentiment and let God do the forgiving. I just think it's a lot more complex than someone deciding to do bad.

[smoothsailing]

If you don't grasp...

Look, I'm just your average Joe kind of guy.

Could you boil your answer to my question down to say, a sentence or two?

Something under $400 million

Now why would that be a limit?

[curiosity]

I read an article about Jeb Bush running in '08 and damn near went through the roof.

I doubt Jeb's got any realistic chance. George P., Jeb's son, he's the one we've got to worry about, but not in 2008, obviously. Watch out for him in 2012 or 2016.

[AmeriBrit]

And dear Hugo's just on a sight seeing trip right?