George F. Will:President Bush has turned conservatism on its head, infuriating many supporters

The Union Leader, Manchester, NH ^ | July 24, 2003 | George F. Will

[RJCogburn]

THIS IS THE is the summer of conservatives? discontent. Conservatism has been disoriented by events in the last several weeks. Cumulatively, foreign and domestic developments constitute an identity crisis of conservatism, which is being recast ? and perhaps rendered incoherent.

George W. Bush may be the most conservative person to serve as President since Calvin Coolidge. Yet his Presidency is coinciding with, and is in some instances initiating or ratifying, developments disconcerting to four factions within conservatism. The faction that focuses on foreign policy has four core principles: Preserve U.S. sovereignty and freedom of action by marginalizing the United Nations. Reserve military interventions for reasons of U.S. national security, not altruism. Avoid peacekeeping operations that compromise the military?s war-fighting proficiencies. Beware of the political hubris inherent in the intensely unconservative project of ?nation-building.?

[Dan from Michigan]

It was just that your little list contained pork. As if "pork" is the President's fault.

Pork is the fault of whoever voted for and signed the bill. Bush is one person that deserves some blame for it.

[Area51]

I hear ya. Getting rough out there!

[WRhine]

That's right Fufkins! We should support Bush and stop the bitching, keep our mouths shut, and regardless of what Bush does, it's good for us. Don't break that lock step cadence and support no matter what. All these people that don't think Bush is a conservative are probably DU spies, and leftist operatives.

Joe you are such an ingrate. Dontchaknow that when Bush promotes Open Borders, Amnesties & SS for Illegal Aliens, MFN trade status for communist countries like China, staggering new entitlements like prescription drugs for seniors--it is all part of his strategery that is well past your ability to understand just how great this is. How could you possibly know what is going through GW’s great mind when he works so hard to screw help this great republic.

Don’t you see just how important it is that we not allow the Democrats to do the same thing? If you can’t grasp this then you are a No-Nothing Malcontent Loser that doesn’t want to be on the winning team. Good Bye.

[Dan from Michigan]

I hear ya. Getting rough out there!

Why do Republicans in senate or presidencies seem to always beat themselves???

If Engler can win re-election here with 61% and 64%(He even won Ann Arbor and East Lansing the 2nd time) by cleaning up the mess and fiscal responsibility(Cut...cut..and cut again), why can't Bush and the senate do the same?

I'm beginning to expect a suprise in 04 unless the dems run some idiot like Kerry.

[Dan from Michigan]

Never give your own president any powers that you don't want the opposition to have...

Exactly. That's what scares me even about the "Patriot Act" in 2005.

[WRhine]

'Til then, you're just a group of obnoxious howler monkees with inch-long weiners.

Said the Great Sanctimonious Socialist Bloviator of FR.

[Dane]

I'm beginning to expect a suprise in 04 unless the dems run some idiot like Kerry

Or Dean, Lieberman, Gephardt, Sharpton, Kucinich, et al.

Oh that's right, Dean was "pro-gun" in Vermont, even though he is against the war on terror, pro-abort, and makes Bill Clinton(not Hillary) look like Ronald Reagan.

Excuse me I forgot, you would probably vote for Dean.

[Mudboy Slim]

"Bush could be much more conservative and still be politically successful."

That's what's so frustrating to me, too. Dubyuh hasn't made the major gaffe like his daddy's flip-floppin' on his ReadMyLips pledge, but all-too-often his kneejerk reaction to conflict vis a vis domestic legislation seems to be to compromise away conservative principals. As noted by others, I can handle some compromise here and there if it seemed we were generally moving to the Right, but this ain't that.

FReegards...MUD

[Dan from Michigan]

Excuse me I forgot, you would probably vote for Dean

No I won't, even if he ends up being more conservative than W.

I don't vote for dems.

[Consort]

Yeah, the fact that Bush Sr. lost conservative votes is not his fault, it's his voters' fault.

Correct. It's the voters. Who else put Clinton in our White House? Fickle Conservatives are RINOs and are unreliable. They can not be counted on to keep the Liberals out of power.

[Dan from Michigan]

I don't vote for dems. (outside a primary)

[Joe Hadenuf]

Don’t you see just how important it is that we not allow the Democrats to do the same thing? If you can’t grasp this then you are a No-Nothing Malcontent Loser that doesn’t want to be on the winning team. Good Bye.

LOL...

[Consort]

Perhaps. Who has given socialism the big boost in the past couple of years....regarding the Medicare bill, the farm bill, the education bill.....?

Your word "perhaps" is the answer. When Bush 41 was abandoned for a Socialist, it boosted the influence of socialistic policy and it's coming back to bite us.

[RJCogburn]

So who has given socialism the big boost in the paet couple of years?

[Joe Hadenuf]

'Til then, you're just a group of obnoxious howler monkees with inch-long weiners.

LOL!

Fufkins, at first I thought you were a female with that name "Fufkins". Now, after that last comment, I am convinced you are a whiny 16 year old.

[Sir Gawain]

You all on the other hand wring your hands and rationalize your helping the Clintons take the White House.

You shouldn't paint with such a broad brush. I was too young to vote in '92.

[jmc813]

Your word "perhaps" is the answer. When Bush 41 was abandoned for a Socialist, it boosted the influence of socialistic policy and it's coming back to bite us.

Just something to think about...If Bush had won in '92, there would be no such thing as Free Republic today.

[Dane]

You shouldn't paint with such a broad brush. I was too young to vote in '92

It shows.

[Sparta]

California (He backed Riordan instead of Bill Simon). He also didn't campaign for Schundler for NJ governor.

[Sir Gawain]

What are you doing posting on FR? You should be making millions with your comedic routine.