Posted on 02/18/2008 9:31:33 AM PST by meandog
HOUSTON (Reuters) - Former President George H.W. Bush urged disgruntled conservatives on Monday to rally around John McCain, calling their criticism of the Republican presidential front-runner "grossly unfair."
The father of President George W. Bush said he was annoyed by attacks within the conservative wing of the Republican Party against the Arizona senator, the all-but-certain Republican nominee to face Democrats in November election.
Many conservatives distrust McCain because of his moderate views on illegal immigration and campaign finance reform and for having originally voted against President Bush's tax cuts. Persuading them all to vote for McCain in November will be a central challenge.
"His character was forged in the crucible of war. His commitment to America is beyond any doubt," the 41st U.S. president, flanked by his wife Barbara, told a joint news conference with McCain in a Houston airport hanger.
"You know, if you've been around the track you hear these criticisms and I think they are grossly unfair. He's got a ... sound conservative record but he's not above reaching out to the other side," he said.
"So I hear these criticisms and Barbara knows I get a little bit annoyed about them frankly," he said, calling them "absurd."
The elder Bush said even former President Ronald Reagan, an icon of the conservative movement, faced attacks from the right wing of the party, citing several quotations from diaries written by Reagan in his early years in office.
(Excerpt) Read more at reuters.com ...
In Rush's defense (I can't believe I just wrote that), Rush hasn't endorsed anyone. Several weeks ago, he though it would be fun and amusing for entertainment purposes to get under Huckabee's skin. He has been going about McCain for some time now. Rush never in a hundred years ever thought they would be the only ones left on the ballot, as he painted himself and his audience into a corner.
Likewise, I chat and e-mail with a Chinese/Kiwi school teacher, but her family didn't record their migration on the net that wasn't there.
all of this was vigorously debated in the news when it happened, and was common knowledge. Your question is very much like asking for internet links to prove Bob Denver's incarceration for drugs ended Gilligan's Island. Lots of people remember it, but not from internet sites that may have come into existance later.
Yeah, that apple didn't fall far from the horse, did it?
and for signing the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.
Reach down deep in your heart and try not to hate Ronald Reagan. You really need to come to terms with your hate for him. He is dead you know.
McCain is winning the nomination fairly and according to the rules.
Obama and Clinton are the Socialists who will transform this Republic.
I will vote for McCain if he is nominated because he is the better choice.
I am a Conservative.
There is nothing Conservative about failing to use your vote effectively against Obama or Clinton and the Democrats who are the clearer Socialist threats to this country.
I did not vote for McCain in the primary, but I will not be responsible for a President Clinton or Obama in 2008 with Democrats controlling the Senate and House.
The party loyalists knew in their guts that they lost the White House when Romney withdrew. Maybe Romney would have lost too, he had his own problems, but he had a shot of beating Clinton or Obama. McCain is a sure loser.
The anger is misplaced. If we couldn't nominate Thompson (and support for him was overwhelming on FR) we can't lose the election for McCain. It's the far larger number of conservatives that can't stand McCain that will seal his fate.
We just have the bad manners to remind them of this metaphysical certitude.
Big time bump RTO
It is not Rush’s fault. It is all in the hands of the voter. The American voter is the problem.
Metaphysics has certitude?
I think that's maybe epistemologically equivalent to cream cheese. :-)
“So I hear these criticisms and Barbara knows I get a little bit annoyed about them frankly,” he said”
Frankly I’m more than a little annoyed with the Bush Family doing anything it takes, including joining with the Dims, to push ahead with AMNESTY, while REFUSING to secure our borders. So when we lose the WOT in our own backyards Mr. Bush, you’re going to see a whole lot a people more than just a little bit annoyed.
You are certifiably deranged if you think a McCain Presidency would be as bad as a President Clinton or Obama in 2008 with Democrats controlling the Senate and House.
You are unhinged by your anger at McCain. You are not thinking clearly.
This is the end of my conversation with Man50D.
One a scale of one to ten it does.
This coming from the man that gave us 2 terms of Clinton.
At the endorsement event today, it was a a bit disconcerting to see McCain and GHWB dodder up onto the stage there. It kind of resembled something you might see in a retirement home. Is that the image the GOP is going for? I just don’t see how this is going to energize all these independents and democrats.
Ronald Reagan was my hero. The only presidential candidate I ever truly voted FOR in 2 elections. All the other elections from Ford through GWH, I have voted against the Democrats by voting for whoever the Republican was. I will do the same in this election and so would Ronald Reagan if he were alive.
That's kinda like saying there is no problem.
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