[Benjamin Dover]

I am so sick of all of these Bush bashers who jump ship every time he doesn't walk lockstep with them. They demand the President should NEVER think of politics on policy. He has outfoxed the competition virtually every step of the way throughout his political career.

Let's consider this: We're in an election year. 60 Senators voted for it. He can't veto it without suffering a political setback when his own party members help override the veto(and you know Dasshole will bring it to a re-vote immediately to make Bush look bad.) Bush prefaced his tacit approval with reservations. Very smart. "I'm for reforming the ridiculous laws that we now have, but there are some Constitutional questions." He doesn't get beat up by the press, Dasshole or McCain; who would be living on the Sunday morning shows. Bush takes an arrow out of their quiver. He knows Diana Ross will thump it on appeal(after the next election cycle) and it will be a mute point anyway. Remember, everybody loved the Line item veto passage, but the Supremes kicked it back. "Oh well, we tried" and the outrage died a quick death.

This issue was so low on the radar screen of voter interest that it didn't make sense to veto it and create a media frenzied faceoff with Dasshole and McCain for an inevitable Congressional loss for Bush. There is a method to Bush's supposed madness. November is fast approaching, and this bill doesn't affect this election cycle. Also, remember, the objective is Republican majorities in both houses after November. If Bush can gain seats,(rare, if ever done); highly likely, he's much stronger politically.

For whatever reason (avoiding predictable attacks in close re-elections for Republicans), too many in his own party voted for this bill; negating his veto power. Don't pick a fight you can't win. Pretend you're cautiously for the concept, but with reservations. Disarm your combatant. It's a win-win for Bush. He appears to squintedly defer to the Senate's wisdom, and looks like a substantative thinker who warned all along that there were problems with the bill.

Dasshole will continue his Tylenol drip and McCain will self-destruct on Larry King.

Also, think about this; If Bush vetoes the bill, McCain has an excuse to jump ship to the "Independant" Party...one more seat to try to pick up this November. The press would immediately break away from regular programming to "Condit-ize" the event. McCain would get massive media exposure, and Bush would be labeled as "in the pocket" of big business (Enron revisited). That would be the spin.

Bush is smart on this one. The current court already thumped this issue 2 years ago. It'll be a repeat. He knows that.

[Reagan Man]

On the issue of Campaign Finance Reform (HR2356), if I was President, I wouldn't sign it. The issue ad ban is clearly unconstitutional. This legisaltion gives incumbents to much protection, while offering challengers, less campaign equality and less opportunity of getting their message out. I understand the Supreme Court will probably overturn a good portion of this CFR legislation, saving Bush some political capital. However, there are times when you must follow your instincts. If Bush signs this legislation and it looks like he will, he'll be severely damaging relations with some of his conservative base. The trade off is, he'll pick up some additional support from moderates and independents. While the loyal opposition and the liberal media, won't be able to attack the President for signing CFR, that shouldn't give him a green light and compel him to sign off on it.

Many FReepers have argued pro and con on this issue for last several days. Some have said, what passed through the Senate this week, wasn't what the President supported during the 2000 Presidential Campaign. Some others, like "Texasforever", have taken an opposing position on the matter.

For me, it just doesn't smell right. Call me too principled on this issue, if you like, but that's were I stand on it. I'm not going to stop supporting President Bush, because I disagree with him on CFR. Bush is the best thing conservatives have had, since Ronald Reagan was in the Oval Office. Bush and Karl Rove are a good team, work well together and have excellent political skills. I hope in the next seven years, they will be able to craft more significant conservative legislation, as time passes. But first, Republicans need to retake the Senate and increase their majority in the House.

IMHO, there should be no limits placed on political contributions. But there should be a requirement for immediate and full public disclosure. Raising the limits from $1,000 to $2,000, is ridiculous! May be hard money contributions should be limited to those people who actually vote in elections. Who knows, it may even increase citizen participation on election day.

[olliemb]

I like your thought process. I forgot about overriding the veto. Imagine if that happened. Yeah, you are right. The President has to sign it but with the worded reservations. I am glad you pointed this out. I was awash with Rush Limbaugh and his bashing of Bush.

[brat]

, McCain has an excuse to jump ship to the "Independant" Party........let him jump. I'd rather see a REAL Conservative in the seat. What good is a Rep who votes DIM?

[Tuor]

They demand the President should NEVER think of politics on policy.

I agree that he shouldn't think of politics when it comes to policy. He should, and is required by his oath, uphold the Constitution. One of the duties given to him by the Constitution is to veto those bills which are against the Constitution.

How he plays politics is one thing, but messing with the Constitution in this matter is negligence (willful or innocent) of duty, and that should and will come back to haunt him, IMO.

Tuor