[AlanD]

Bush made clear his feelings about traditional conservatism. According to a memoir by former Bush speechwriter Matt Latimer, the president was unhappy about references to the conservative “movement” in the draft of the speech. “Take out all this movement stuff,” the president said. “There is no movement.”

George W. Bush: Worst Republican President since Gerald Ford

[Psalm 144]

I agree with your sentiments, but would point out that Ford never, ever pretended to be a conservative.

[Luke21]

I remember all the Bushbots here always beating up on people who said we were going to be clobbered in 2006 and 2008, and then blaming people for not vigorously supporting their Rino’s with enough vigor and enthusiasm. This can still be seen in some threads. The message: “Rino candidates and spineless Republicans aren't the problem. Voters are.”

Republicans have to have a positive plan and mean it. The Roves of the world don't stand for anything but their own viability. He was a horrible adviser, and contributed to Bush being absolutely tone deaf. Like you said, neither of those elections should have been as close as they were, and Bush had next to zero credibility by the end of his presidency.

Hannity calls Rove, “the architect.” He's certainly that. He built this political outhouse we live in right now.