[MHT]

There are two numbers that the Bush campaign is concerned about--and, unlike Bush 41, they are not interest rates or unemployment. They are focused on the approval number and the Dow Jones. The latest tax legislation has produced a rebound in the market and that can foretell an improving economy six months later. The Democrats' field of candidates is a peculiar mix of egotists (Can you really imagine a debate between Bush and Dean if the latter cannot even get through a friendly interview with Russert without messing up?). Some of her main concerns or premises might not be so critical tomorrow.

W. Bush has done something that his father failed to do--he HAS kept in touch with the average citizen. He is out and about making personal appearances before large groups almost daily. Bush is becoming the first President that these citizens have seen in real life--and they are not going to forget the experience. He mentions people's names, talks about their programs, etc. He has shown the magic touch in bringing the White House to the people, which his father never did. The father appeared to be a detached elitest. This guy is closer to a country music star.

Also, unlike his father, he's a delegator and he's going to let the Senate (i.e., Frist) do the deed and get a constitutional amendment passed regarding marriage. He's said upfront that gays can have whatever relationship they want--just don't call it marriage. More will happen yet on the affirmative action quota cases so the jury is still out on the impact of those decisions.

What is critical is for conservatives to realize that one of the greatest and most lasting legacies of a conservative presidency is a judicial system bursting with conservative judges who will not legislate from the bench, except for reversing prior crazy liberal rulings. It is more important than ever that they continue to support Bush and get more Republicans in the Senate.

W. might not be perfect--but given any alternative, he's the absolute best leader we've had in a couple of decades.

[Matchett-PI]

BTTT!

[Ronin]

Also, unlike his father, he's a delegator and he's going to let the Senate (i.e., Frist) do the deed and get a constitutional amendment passed regarding marriage.

Huhh????

Frist can't even break the feeble DemonCRAP fillibuster that is holding up our judicial nominees and you expect him to be able to shepherd a constitutional amendment through?

What universe are you living in?

[John Lenin]

W. might not be perfect--but given any alternative, he's the absolute best leader we've had in a couple of decades.

I agree, there is a lot at stake right now, I'm trying to hold in my anger over all his liberal moves and it is tough to watch the GOP act like democRATS.

Here's a high school pic of W.



Give me a Chad !

[EGPWS]

W. might not be perfect--but given any alternative, he's the absolute best leader we've had in a couple of decades.

And when we needed him the most!

I understand the frustration however it is because of a very short memory for some. It was a long hard battle to just be elected for Dubya' and if he would have lost the election, these grumblings of his "going soft" on conservatism would be a welcome grumble to the grumblers, considering who we could have had for POTUS.

[My2Cents]

W. might not be perfect--but given any alternative, he's the absolute best leader we've had in a couple of decades.

Dittos. I agree with probably 55% of what Bush says and does. Know what that makes me? Happy! Consider the alternatives.

[jpl]

What is critical is for conservatives to realize that one of the greatest and most lasting legacies of a conservative presidency is a judicial system bursting with conservative judges who will not legislate from the bench, except for reversing prior crazy liberal rulings. It is more important than ever that they continue to support Bush and get more Republicans in the Senate.

I agree, but how in the world are we going to accomplish this exactly? I'm all for getting more Republicans in the Senate, but anyone who thinks we're going to get a filibuster-proof coalition is living in fantasyland.

[ought-six]

"W. might not be perfect--but given any alternative, he's the absolute best leader we've had in a couple of decades."

I agree with that. He's much better than his father, and he's light years better than Klintoon. However, he has not measured up to Ronald Reagan, but he's not too far away in some respects, but his apparent acceptance of big government is VERY troubling.

[JoeSchem]

W. might not be perfect--but given any alternative, he's the absolute best leader we've had in a couple of decades.

Your timing is off, slightly. Reagan was President during five years of the past 'couple of decades.'

Also, I think you're missing the point. Conservatives have a chance to send Bush a message like we did with his father, by running a candidate on his right. The main issue should be illegal immigration, which is the #1 issue facing the country right now. If a mainstream Republican candidate will run on a sensible, non-extremist platform of cutting off illegal immigration, he can (a) win the GOP nomination from Bush and go on to win the presidency in a slam dunk against whatever 'open-the-floodgates' candidate the Democrats run, or (b) send one heck of a message to the Bush camp that they'd better pay more attention to legal citizens than they do illegal immigrants.

[Dolphy]

I agree with you. The dozen or so of my friends who worked on Bush's last campaign and continue to support him are not particularly interested in his view on gay marriage. We are interested in his judicial appointments, legal reform, tax cuts, national security, the economy, etc.

I can remember when Bush was finally elected and the national media said he would never get his tax cut through given the evenly split opinion in the country. I remember how the Republicans were going to lose Senate seats like every President had through history. And I remember the man who lacked gravitas who led this country after September 11. What has he done for me lately? He's done more than any other President I have had the opportunity to vote for. And this includes being elected, something I doubt the kind of conservative some would prefer could do.