I do not understand, or like, Conservatives treating Bush like he's a power-hungry populist.
Elected Republicans must tread very lightly nowadays. Not only do they have the media against them, but they also have their own party that would just as soon have them cut off their nose to spite their face. When it comes down to it, you have to do business with Democrats. How do you think Reagan got so much done with Democrats controlling the House and Senate?
Oh, I agree, if your motive is to keep elective office and power, than sell the American people down the river and get along with any slime. Who needs character, honesty, guts, or morals. These are not for political winners.
"The success of government depends entirely on the degree and length of time it can continue to defraud its victims, which are called citizens. A government can produce nothing and can do nothing, except to harm or threaten. All that a government is given credit for providing is confiscated or coerced from others."
"Government is the great fraud. The most successful politicians are those who have no illusions about the true nature of government and operate accordingly, that is, as consummate con artists."
And GW is a great one.