Anyone who followed Free Republic knows I supported Bush in the General election and in the primaries when it was down to McCain vs Bush. I supported gWB because in 2000 there was no other candidate who could defest Gore. however with the stances GWB has taken on a number of issues and his continuation of Clinton apointees in a number of roles including Tennet as director of the CIA he has diappointed me and a large number of others who supported him then.
Lately my personal issues have been trying to influence policy from the administration to get rid of OPIC which is a government agency that provides assistance to companies investing outside the USA (can anyone say outsourcing or maybe balance of trade) and to enforce the immigration laws including the limits on H1B visas and L1 visas. I have been attacked by ardent Bush supporters who make it sound like I am advocating socialism by complaining about the full faith and credit of the US government being used to insure against political and currency risk for companies locating facilities overseas (if it is sound business proposition to provide this insurance why not private sector insurance?).
Now some people think GWB is a shoo in for the 2004 election. i think they are being overly optimistic. His base may sit out the election. gun owners are not very happy about his affiration that he would sign an extension of the AWB. Other conservatives have other issues with hs administration.
The highlight from a conservative standpoint has been the conduct of the war on terror and the judicial appointments most of which are stalled in teh Senate. I think some political calculations have caused GWB to appear to govern from the center but in point of fact that center is very far left. The details as to why I will leave others to speculate about. Suffice to say GWB is walking a tightrope to get re-elected and evry conservative he alienates may be a vote lost without an undecisded or leftist vote to make up for it.
W. is better than Gore only in a matter of degree. That difference is getting smaller and smaller.