PING
As I said, the President and Republicans seem to be headed towards accomodating the Dems on the large issues, instead of the Machiavellian approach of giving them small victories, but hold the line on large ones.
I am afraid they are rolling over to the Dems, in their mistaken belief that "this is the will of the American people".
Perhaps you're right about them rolling over, but I've always felt that Bush is an excellent user of Machiavellian techniques. I still do, but question where his true core lies.