The Vast Dubya & DeLay Conspiracy

Rush Limbaugh ^ | June 30, 2003 | Rush Limbaugh

[TLBSHOW]

The Vast Dubya & DeLay Conspiracy

June 30, 2003

Depending on where you go and in what circles you travel, conservatives are livid with the Bush administration. Some, more so than others, are furious over the size of the federal budget, the failing to rein in any kind of spending, tax cuts for people who don't pay taxes, the Medicare prescription drug benefit, the list continues - and there’s a great deal of head scratching going on.

I came across an Associated Press story over the weekend that attempts to shed some light on what’s happening, which you can hear me read in the audio links below. However, the story seems to imply there’s a conspiracy between the White House and House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, R-Texas.

Here’s just one excerpt: “DeLay has become the most identifiable representative of the party's right wing, and the two Texans have had a sometimes scrappy relationship. Clashes may become more frequent as Bush moves beyond his current phase of fund raising among loyal Republicans and shifts his attention to the general electorate, analysts suggest. At the same time, Bush and his advisers are mindful that if they go too far, they could alienate conservatives whose support he needs. ‘Bush is carefully picking and choosing his fights,’ said GOP consultant Scott Reed. ‘There's a healthy back and forth between the White House staff and DeLay that is mutually beneficial to both.’”

The story continues to suggest that Bush is telling DeLay to go ahead and stop what he’s trying to do - on purpose. The idea being that Bush can thus claim credit for supporting whatever measure, while DeLay and other conservatives can point to victory for blocking its ultimate passage. A caller later asked: “Isn't this the same strategy that Bush used on campaign finance reform, only he is counting on the Supreme Court to shoot it down?” You can hear my answer below.

[TLBSHOW]

You can hear Rush Limbaugh by clicking here

It's worst than Rush thought......

My opinion on this AP story is it's BS. Like most of what Ap says is BS.

[My2Cents]

From the commentary today on "Realclearpolitics.com" --

Despite the disagreements many of the narrowly-focused constituencies on the right have with President Bush, there seems to be an overall appreciation of his character, integrity, and his unwavering commitment to U.S. national security. There also seems to be an understanding that Bush, like Reagan, is helping to facilitate a continued shift toward conservatism in U.S. public opinion.

Today, many conservatives say, American public opinion is shifting their way, so there is no reason to be impatient — or to pressure Mr. Bush into doing things before the election that might hurt him next year.

"The Republicans are looking at decades of dominance in the House and the Senate, and having the presidency with some regularity," Mr. Norquist said. "So if this year the tax cut isn't the one we wanted — no biggie. There's a sense that we can afford to wait."

This tolerance of Bush only runs so deep, of course, and if the economy doesn't enjoy a robust recovery the President can't afford to have conservative groups sitting on their hands next November.

Meanwhile, the upside for conservative groups in the coming election is bigger than ever: if the economy does spring back to life and conservatives come out en masse for the President, it could produce a landslide victory and an historic mandate for Bush and his conservative agenda.

[Howlin]

I'm sure they are all "fake conservatives." ;-)

[Miss Marple]

I am convinced that Rush scans Free Republic for trends, and that the anti-Bush people know it. They post Bush-bashing stuff, and Rush thinks it is the trend.

Either that, or we are a test market for the DNC on how to divide conservatives.

[justshe]

I think you should post the article from Realclearpolitics as its own thread.

Those posting the bashing threads seem to be working with an agenda and are posting ANY thread that is the least bit critical. Good to see this pragmatic, realistic view.

Good job, My2Cents!

[My2Cents]

"Fake conservatives." Would those be conservatives that don't have low sloping foreheads? ;-)

[My2Cents]

we are a test market for the DNC on how to divide conservatives

I had the same thought, reading this latest screed. We know the Dems will do anything. Going head-to-head with Bush doesn't look like a winning stragerey, so if they can sow discord among Republicans...it's worth a try (from their perspective).

[ArneFufkin]

Either that, or we are a test market for the DNC on how to divide conservatives.

The anti-Bush element here are NOT conservatives. They are anti-statist malcontents. They hated Bush 41, they hated Clinton, now they hate Bush 43. They hate America, and they couch it as loving the Constitution and some imagined America that has never existed.

Conservatives who get the job done are solidly behind Bush, and well satisfied with the GOP. 49 million strong in 2000. This FR element consists of dismal old men, losing life and aging gracelessly.

[OldFriend]

Rush's entire show prep is derived from FR and a few other sites.

Today I thought he'd be man enough to admit that by signing CFR the Republicans wound up gaining big time. He laughed about it in passing and then went back to bashing the President.

Here is the fallacy of Rush's argument about spending on Rx for seniors.

If he truly believes that the tax cuts are going to bring a huge revenue stream to the government then why should he care if needy seniors get Rx coverage.

The Rx plan has not been finalized, will be voluntary tho, and most likely will go to the neediest seniors.

[TLBSHOW]

I've been over run by bushbots.........LOL

[DrDeb]

Conservatives who get the job done are solidly behind Bush, and well satisfied with the GOP. 49 million strong in 2000. THIS FR ELEMENT CONSISTS OF DISMAL OLD MEN, LOSING LIFE AND AGING GRACELESSLY!

You hit the nail squarely on the head -- PERFECT analysis!!!!

[DoughtyOne]

I've got my opinions and they have theirs. I don't see any advantage to us mixing it up on the forum.

I will tell you that it saddens me incredibly to note a man like Rush who was recognized at the vanguard of conservative for up to fifteen years, all of a sudden considered to have turned into a leftist.

This doesn't lead people to question their own opinions in the slightest. Rush is the only one that must have changed course.

Who does Rush like now that made him change?

Who do they like that made them change?

I see only one clear answer.

[TLBSHOW]

You are a fake!

[Miss Marple]

I don't think Rush is a socialist. I think he doesn't do very good research in what his listeners think.

He was closer to the mark in the years before he started using the headline grabbing Bush-bashing threads here as a cheat-sheet (or his researchers did).

Rush doesn't have the corner on expertise in political opinion. In fact, lately, he has been wrong on quite a few things. Remember when he told us with such assurity that Hillary would never run for the Senate?

[aSkeptic]

Bush is the perfect politician. I don't understand why there are so many diehard Bush supporters from those calling themselves conservatives. He trys so hard to pander to socialist causes that he might as well run for the democratic ticket or start his own party. BSP: Bush Socialist Party. With few exeptions he is a Socialist. Tax cuts for those who don't pay taxes, billions for Aids aid in africa, tacit support of Affirmative action, a nation wide "security" force, world record goverment expendature increases, stuff under the rug tax cuts, perscription drug entitlements, wars of unprovoked "liberation", suggestions of global policing, approval of "assult" weapon bans.

Now you can compile a list of conservative things that Bush has done as to rebuff my charge.

[TLBSHOW]

Vote republicans is a vote for Socialism.

[Miss Marple]

Try to have some sense in your posts. Republicans=socialism is not an intelligent response.

And you wonder why people don't take you seriously.

[ladyinred]

I am so tired of the Bush bashing here on FreeRepublic Miss Marple. He is a fine man who is putting the best interests of this nation at the forefront, and because he isn't giving some people everything they want right this minute, they are trashing him. This just frightens me to death, because we cannot afford to have a liberal democrat leading this nation in 2004.

[TLBSHOW]

You don't like mine try this one from DoughtyOne

(Vote RIPublican in 2004: Socialism's kinder gentler party: "We will leave no wallet left behind!")

[DoughtyOne]

I do have a lot of respect for the man.  I remember what he meant to me in the 1980s and 90s.  When the media was damning Reagan and bush and praising Clinton, Rush was there to help keep me sane.  And I think that's what bothers you the most.  From you point of view I don't blame you.  You feel like he's AWOL.  I can understand why, although I may not agree.  Having not listened regularly for a while, perhaps you have some valid beefs with him. I can only tell you what my perspective is and you can try to understand where I'm coming from and think of it what you will.

I see Rush here thinking smaller government is what we spent 20 years espousing before Bush took over.  Now it seems to us that the message changed, bigger is sometimes better.  This and other issues are driving some of us up the wall.  And as fair as it is for me to think this, it's fair for you to think otherwise if you must.

You will note me going around the forum making my observations about current policy.  I want you to know I am not happy making the comments I do.  I like George Bush and it pains me to have to disagree with him.  I say that in sincerity.

I sometimes find myself getting fired up because this is supposed to be the man I back with my heart and soul.  Instead I feel betrayed.

Look, I know this seems unreasonable to you.  Why don't you go ahead and respond and I'll move along.  This probably won't be productive and I'm not here to tweak you at length.

Take care.