[Humbug]

As I recall this was GW's way of reaching out and striking a "New Tone in Washington". He was "Compromising" with the Democrats. He gave them their vaunted Prescription Drug Program". The one they are now hanging around his neck claiming that it was his excessive spending. This is precisely what you get when you compromise with Socialists.

Well said. Unfortunately it was something GWB never seemed to learn. Perhaps because he always prided himself on being able to pull people together to get things done but also perhaps because he genuinely believed that deep down his opponents in Washington were decent people. What he learned as Governor in Texas didn't serve him well for DC as that's a whole other kind of democrat. They have a militant mindset whereby any kindness or compromise is viewed only as a weakness, as a victory for themselves. It is never reciprocated.

[Falcon4.0]

I agree. This seems to be a weakness among DC Republicans and perhaps why Gov Christie is so well received by the general Republican populace. He doesn't cower when challenged and he gives it right back to them.