Dubya's End

New York Post ^ | June 29, 2007 | John Podhoretz

[Truth29]

DUBYA'S END

BORDER BILL THE LAST BLOW

June 29, 2007 -- PRESIDENT Bush's disastrous second term has not been without its moments. Unfortunately for him, these moments have come primarily when members of his own party have risen up against him to defy his wishes. That's what happened yesterday. For the second time in four weeks, Republicans in the Senate put a stake through the heart of Bush's beloved but politically catastrophic immigration bill.

It's also what happened in the early months of the second term, when Bush chose to nominate his unqualified aide, Harriet Miers, to the Supreme Court - and finally backed down and had her withdraw her name after three weeks of lobbying and complaining.

(snip)

He would not and could not back down on immigration reform, an issue far too close to his heart. But after the Senate first rejected the bill at the end of May, Bush could have left it alone and accepted defeat. He could have seen reason, as he did in January 2004 when he first proposed a piece of legislation and was met with an uprising from his conservative base - whereupon he prudently dropped the subject because he was running for re-election and needed a united and enthusiastic Republican electorate behind him.

(snip)

And perhaps most interesting, Bush chose to believe it was more important to court potential future Republican voters - those illegals who would have gained a "path to citizenship" under the terms of the bill in 13 years' time - rather than listen to the concerns of present-day Republican voters.

[Gatún(CraigIsaMangoTreeLawyer)]

defide = defied.

I thought something was strange.

Sorry.

[joseph20]

No one was a bigger supporter of Dubya than me in 2000 and 2004. Now I can't wait for his term to end. I still don't regret my vote in '04, if for nothing else than the Roberts and Alito nominations. But otherwise, Bush's second term was been a huge disappointment.

History will be the final judge of that.

We haven't seen the end of his second term yet. And the effects of his performance on the war may be felt even after he leaves office.

His fortitude and resolve in the face of overwhelming opposition on the war effort may be seen historically as the main reason for our eventual victory.

[gemma0000]

"I doubt W is too upset this bill never passed."

And as a conservative that fact should greatly trouble you. Amnesty for 20 million illegals was one of W's greatest causes; when it died in the Senate it was he who resurrected it and continued to push it. And it was this horrendous, anti-American cause of his that turned the conservative base against him and helped weaken the Republican Party. But you are likely right, he is likely not upset. And this is good how???

[showme_the_Glory]

Guess you all forgot about the thing called a VETO?

Are you saying if this thing had passed Senor Booosh would have vetoed it? I didn't think that either.

[alicewonders]

Bush does deserve the lions share of the blame.

I blame Bush completely. As Dukakis once said, "A fish rots from the head down". We have a definite problem with a lack of leadership in our government from the head down.

I remember years ago, everyone had bumper stickers on their cars that said, "THROW THE BUMS OUT!"

I think it's time to revive those stickers.

[gemma0000]

"His fortitude and resolve in the face of overwhelming opposition on the war effort may be seen historically as the main reason for our eventual victory."

If you are referring to Mexico's war against the U.S., then I agree. W's resolve to help Mexico in the face of overwhelming opposition by the American people will absolutely be the cause for our future victory over the invaders from south of the border.

[Safetgiver]

it was more important to court potential future Republican voters...Yeah, how did that black voter base thing turn out, George?

[backhoe]

[Taichi]

The failure to secure victory in Iraq is the key to understanding the administration’s second-term woes, but that isn’t the whole story. Something got broken on Election Night 2004.

---

A squeak by election and Bush starts proclaiming a mandate and declaring he had political capital to spend.

I knew we were in trouble at that moment.

[Dick Bachert]

The disease is called “HUBRIS” and I suspect he contracted it while consorting with his new amigo, Ted Kennedy, who is — one would hope — the last of a long line of known carriers.

[TeddyIke]

I agree that the 2 supreme picks are the one thing we have. Does Alito and Roberts shared and somewhat uncommon belief in the unitary executive every worry you in the context of Rush’s 80% prediction regarding a Hitlery presidency. It makes me shiver.

[quant5]

Awsome cartoon. Thanks for making my Friday LOL!

[Safetgiver]

Guess you all forgot about the thing called a VETO?...We didn’t. HE did.

[bcsco]

This is a ping list promoting Immigration Enforcement and Congressional Reform.
If you wish to be added or removed from this ping list, please contact me.

Not as much to link today, obviously - mostly follow-up stuff. My pings will continue as long as Immigration and Congressional reform issues merit attention.

Boston Pro-immigration Enforcement Rally Friday, June 29, 2007, 3-5 PM at the JFK Building

Caption this Photo [GOP Masters of the Universe]

Inside The Economics Of Illegal Immigration

U.S. immigration defeat frustrates [illegal] workers' dreams (Boo-hoo!!)

[joseph20]

If you are referring to Mexico's war against the U.S., then I agree. W's resolve to help Mexico in the face of overwhelming opposition by the American people will absolutely be the cause for our future victory over the invaders from south of the border.

Nice one. I'm as upset as the next person here in regards to President Bush's incorrect position on immigration.

But I'm not going to allow a myopic fixation on this now-dead immigration legislation to blot out what I see as a courageous, heroic War President.

[Dick Bachert]

I believe it was the ancient Greeks who prohibited two classes of people from holding public office: Those of illegitimate birth (bastards) and eunuchs.

Bastards were prohibited because, having no sense of their family past or history, they could not be trusted to operate for the good of the culture based on ITS history or traditions.

Eunuchs (castrated males) because they could not sire children and would, therefore, most likely have no abiding interest in preserving the culture for future generations.

Based on their actions, I’ll let YOU tell me what sort of folks we have governing us today.

[OKSooner]

Adios Jorge.

[Chi-townChief]

And Dukakis was one rotten fish.

[stevio]

I’m hopefully optimistic too. Maybe even bring in more Reagan dems. Look at what happened in Hazleton Pa. this primary, the Republican mayor won the GOP nod with something like 92% of the vote, AND the dem primary as a write-in candidate. All because of his “get tough with illegals” stance.