>> 4) THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION – I’ve admired this president for a long time, but I’ve reached a point where I’ve had it up to here (my hand is at my forehead) with this administration’s chronic obtuseness and arrogance.
I’ve recently heard a theory posited that has made me re-think this ... though, admittedly, it could be just a liberal-kook conspiracy theory. My question is ... is it possible that George W. Bush threw himself on a grenade for the ultimate benefit of the Party in 2008 and beyond?
There are some that have suggested that this was a move by the Bush Administration to (1) give the Republicans an issue with which to distance themselves from a relatively unpopular President, and (2) spark up the conservative base for the upcoming 2008 campaign.
And - if this theory is true - it just may have worked ... the conservative base is riled up (and, evidently, splitting only from the RINOs, not from the Party in general), and many Congressional Republicans and Republican Presidential candidates have an issue that they can use to distance themselves from the White House.
Could this have been the most brilliant Karl Rove ruse ever thought up? I doubt it ... but its possible, and it would certainly explain why Pres. Bush was so deaf to the concerns of the base.
Hemorrhage
You are an eternal optimist! I wish I could believe it, but Bush has been pretty consistent with his belief on immigration. He's just never tried to push it this hard before.
I can’t believe that people still give Karl Rove and Bush that much credit.
They both massively underestimated on this bill. They both massively underestimated the last election.
I think their winning the elections for George Bush had to do more with who was running against him rather than their strategery or genius.
They have become legends in their own minds.