[Charlotte Corday]

The fact that the GOP does not control the Senate is their own fault (failure to challenge the Jean Carnahan election).

And I suspect that with the number of RINO's in the Senate, outside of the probable failure of CFR and success of a couple of court nominees, there wouldn't be much difference.

It'd still be the Kennedy education bill, the tax cut would still be minimal and sunsetted, and the "Patriot Act" would if anything be even more draconian.

Don't let's forget all those last minute Clinton EO's that are still in effect, too. No Senate action required there!

[rintense]

Well, I take a more optimistic outlook. With the Republicans in control, the President sets the agenda. If the House and Senate would have passed, for example a different education bill, all the crying by the dems wouldn't have made a difference. I guess I'm of the mind that no matter what would have been passed, there would still have been some who would have found fault with the President. You can't please everyone all the time, I guess.

But I do think that when (note, I am saying when and not if) the Republicans take back control of the Senate, things will be much different. If not, perhaps I will start beating the drums of discontent too. Until then, I will agree with the following:

So let us be grateful for President Bush. Let us not take him for granted. When I see the president engaging, here and there, in the inevitable compromise, although I sometimes look on with disappointment, and certainly reserve my right to criticize, for the most part I am mindful of how very important it is for American conservatives to have this fine and far too easily underestimated man firmly ensconced in the highest office in the land. ~ Stanley Kurtz, National Review Online

Thank you for the civil debate, BTW. It is appreciated.