I disagree. I think the time to take a stand will be in the election cycle of 2008. There is no way that Bush will not be running in '04, and that he will not be the most electable Republican/ "Conservative".
2008? LOL! I can see the Republicans and other insider, club members will be telling us the same thing in 2012.....and again in 2016 and on and on while the American people, who were enjoying the ever warming water are now being boiled....
Incrementalism works both ways. I think the president is well aware of this fact, which is one of the reasns why he would prefer not to jeopardize his reelection.
We have to win hearts and minds first. We've just begun. There's a lot more work to do.