TT, You're right. And Don Young's {Republican from Alaska} raising of the gasoline taxes won't help much either. I wonder if the Republicans remember the last Republican President that only served one term because of "broken" promises? 92% approval after Desert Storm to less than enough to retain the Presidency.
Of course, I do agree with Pat Buchanan when he says, "The Republicans and Democrats are just two wings on the same bird of prey." Peace and love, George.
Let me give you a little reality:
The US exit from UNESCO was a temporary event, done only to force reforms. Those reforms were made and the move to rejoin began. Even George Shultz, who was the prime mover on the exit, had signaled the need to rejoin and believe it or not, Jesse Helms supported the rejoining.
The House passed their bill with an appropriation to rejoin in mid 2001. The bill languished in the Senate for a year.
By mid 2002 the role of the madraas' anti-US educational curriculum in islamic countries had come to light and the Senate went to confernce with the House on the bill and it passed quickly. It was felt that UNESCO would be effective in countering the muslim teachings. There were also some strings attached on Freedom of the Press issues in Afghanistan.
Bush was pleased at the timing since he could use as multi-lateralism. Cheap multilateralism as well.
It was all settled by the Supreme Court during the Nixon Administration, when Congress appropriates the money, the Prez has to spend it.