[Tarl]

Why fall into this obvious trap. Does anyone claim to know private discussions between GWB and his leaders in the House and Senate? Just because he proposes to endorse big spending legislation doesn't mean its not rhetoric meant to "steal" democrat votes in the hope of re-election and a larger gap in Republican margins in Congress. Why else do you have House leadership dragging the legislation, adapting it so that even if it were passed it would be far from what the Dems would want. I think the CLUE is that you don't have the Republican leadership in Congress publicly questioning the President. During a 2nd term with no pandering or perception of pandering needed GWB will be free to exact a more Conservative agenda. Things aren't always what they seem (especially in politics).

[NutCrackerBoy]

Just because he proposes to endorse big spending legislation doesn't mean its not rhetoric meant to "steal" democrat votes in the hope of re-election and a larger gap in Republican margins in Congress. (Emphasis mine)

I agree.

During a 2nd term with no pandering or perception of pandering needed GWB will be free to exact a more Conservative agenda.

I support GWB 100% for 2nd term. I believe there will be some Conservative good in the domestic legislative agenda. However, I don't think that will include significant slowdown of big spending.

[Ohioan]

Why fall into this obvious trap. Does anyone claim to know private discussions between GWB and his leaders in the House and Senate? Just because he proposes to endorse big spending legislation doesn't mean its not rhetoric meant to "steal" democrat votes in the hope of re-election and a larger gap in Republican margins in Congress

The single most powerful tool that the President of the United States has is what Teddy Roosevelt, I believe it was, described as the "Bully Pulpit"--the ability to use the office to promote his values to the American people. What you suggest is to totally ignore that tool, and by ignoring that tool forfeit any realistic chance for just the scenario that you suggest. This approach is absolutely 180o wrong--absolutely suicidal. If this is what they are really thinking, it absolutely confirms my suggestion that Karl Rove suffers from a perceptual/conceptual deficit, and does not really understand any part of the strength of the Conservative argument.

William Flax Return Of The Gods Web Site