ZOT! Can there be a serious challenge to Bush in the GOP primaries?

John Buchanan is a journalist and magazine writer based in Miami Beach ^ | november 29, 2003 | john buchanan

[Republican Challenger]

I am a nationally published journalist who has been drafted to challenge George W. Bush in the Republican Presidential primaries, beginning in New Hampshire on January 27. My aim is to prompt legitimate debate and genuine new ideas, but I start with a question:

HAS GEORGE W. BUSH BETRAYED TRADITIONAL GOP VALUES?

He has failed in his promise to control spending. Nondefense spending has skyrocketed under Bush. The Congressional Budget Office reported that for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2003, nondefense spending rose 7% – nearly double the 4% discretionary spending caps Bush promised to enforce (Source: Washington Times). Since Bush took office, nondefense spending has leapt 13% -- 21% if spending on the war on terrorism is included. “My impression of Bush,” says Chris Edwards, director of fiscal policy at the libertarian Cato Institute, “is that I’ve never seen him give a speech in which he says government is too big and we need to cut costs.”

He has failed in his promise to keep America strong. Under Bush, U.S. foreign policy and international esteem have reached historic lows. After spending hundreds of billions of dollars since 9/11, the Bush administration has failed to catch Osama bin Laden, failed to find Saddam Hussein, failed to defeat Al Qaeda, and failed to stabilize Iraq after an invasion that his own Pentagon policy adviser, Richard Perle, now admits was “illegal.” As a result, the geopolitical balance of power has been jolted, traditional allies have been severely alienated, and as a result, the European Union – led by Great Britain – is now conducting secret talks about the formation of an EU military force outside NATO.

He has failed in his promise to be a “compassionate conservative.” Perhaps never before has a U.S. President so divided the country, according to a recent Time cover story. Despite Bush’s promise to be “a uniter, not a divider,” he has turned Republican against Democrat, rich against poor, Christian against Muslim. He has eroded our civil liberties and Constitutional rights in the name of “national security” and aided and abetted a corporate elite class in the theft of the Republican Party and the two-century-old values that made it the Party of Lincoln. “Corporations have been enthroned,” Lincoln said presciently before he died. “…An era of corruption in high places will follow, and the money power will endeavor to prolong its reign by working on the prejudices of the people…until wealth is aggregated in a few hands…and the Republic is destroyed.” Under Bush, Lincoln’s ominous – and accurate – prediction might find its final manifestation unless he and the “neo-con” corporate juggernaut are stopped.

DO YOU AGREE? Please let me know your thoughts. There will be more to come from me, including a detailed platform and agenda for ending the corporate reign in this country, shrinking the federal bureaucracy, and restoring Constitutional freedoms to pre-9/11 levels. Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to your comments and questions.

[Republican Challenger]

I am new to the Free Republic forum, and astonished at the number of comments in only a few minutes. I now entertain high hopes of meaningful dialogue.
Given the utter dismissal of my candidacy, despite my 34 years of journalistic and media credentials -- including serving as CEO of a $3 million a year advertising agency in Los Angeles -- I can only say that 1) my candidacy is serious, 2) I am armed with the facts, which are hard to dispute, in my experience, and 3) I have no agenda other than serving the interests of all the people, not just the few.
We shall soon see whether my message is perceived as having any merit.
I look forward to responding to many more comments and questions.
Thank you.

[gooleyman]

From the Article: "He has failed in his promise to control spending."

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You should have stopped right there. That's the only thing I agree with you on. All the rest of your rant is pure Bull Feathers. In my opinion, George Bush has done everything else right (or as best possible under our system.)

I'm sorry I can't wish you good luck in your campaign because if I get that wish it would be helping the DemocRATS and that's something I have vowed never to do again. Remember it was your namesake Pat Buchannon who hit old man Bush with the "Read My Lips" hammering. I haven't forgiven him for that. And won't.

Drafted by whom?

[Torie]

I'll do you one better. Privatize it. The Postal Service is loaded with inefficiencies

How much do you want to pay for a stamp for a letter to Eagle, Alaska or the Mustang Ranch in Nevada? THAT is the question.

[Slings and Arrows]

Wow, over 60 posts and no ZOT! The mod must be taking a shower. No, I'm series.

[Republican Challenger]

Thank you, Brad, for your honest and truthful response -- the first one I have seen. However, I am troubled that while you believe he has indeed betrayed GOP values, can you explain why you believe there can be no challenge?
Thanks.

[Kaslin]

You're THAT insecure about Dubya??? If so, I can understand why you're afraid of dissent. Too bad, so sad

On the contrary. I am very positive that the president will be re-elected, but I noticed the sign-up date of the poster and his post is very suspicious.

[Torie]

despite my 34 years of journalistic and media credentials

I agree that makes you an expert on everything. I have been continually impressed over the years by the penetrating analysis of the above referenced guild on complex topics. Your guild has taught me everything that I know that is remotely worthwhile.

[F.J. Mitchell]

If you are a Republican Challanger, as you claim, how come you speak liberal democrat?

[inquest]

Despite Bush’s promise to be “a uniter, not a divider,” he has turned Republican against Democrat, rich against poor, Christian against Muslim.

Can you elaborate a little further on what specifically he's done that's resulted in these things, and what you would do differently?

[Republican Challenger]

Drafted by a living legend -- John McConnell, the 88-year-old founder of Earth Day and the Minute for Peace (1963). His friends have included 39 Nobel laureates. Former UN Secretary General U Thant called him one of the great peacemakers of the 20th century.

[CounterCounterCulture]

While I'm not too enthusiastic with non-defense spending under Bush, the rest of this rant is, with all due respect, utter rubbish and I don't have time to parse each nugget (and who knows how long this thread stays up).

As far as a serious challenger to Bush, when was the last time a primary challenger knocked off the incumbent? It's been quite a while. And the machinery of the Republican Party is firmly behind Bush. It's a done deal. Sorry.

[Torie]

The sad thing is all our bon mots are probably headed for the dumpster in short order. :(

[Cultural Jihad]

I am new to the Free Republic forum, and astonished at the number of comments in only a few minutes.

Hence the real reason you are posting here rather than somewhere with more of your ideological slant, such as the graveyard known as DemocraticUnderground.com.

[Amelia]

Drafted by a living legend -- John McConnell, the 88-year-old founder of Earth Day and the Minute for Peace (1963).

Gee, those are great conservative credentials.

Need I add the /sarcasm tag?

[FairOpinion]

Look in the mirror and ask yourself if you really think you can beat the Democrats.

If you have one grain of honesty, your answer will be NO.

Any attack on Bush, especially from a Republican only serves the interests of the Democrats.

You may give a call to Tom McClintock -- maybe the two of you could get together and form a new party.

[GraniteStateConservative]

Bush has about 90% support among the GOP, so, no.

[Torie]

The lack of skill of the trolls continually amazes me. They almost want to reinforce preconceptions. Sad.

[jwalsh07]

No.

[Republican Challenger]

He never acknolwedged that the lost the popular vote and therefore should have reached out from day one to those who did NOT vote for him -- to make good on his promise. Instead, he has used 9/11 to drive a wedge between the corporate ("war on terror") class and the people, in my opinion, as a journalist, whose livelihood is based on fact and not opinion.
I subscribe to classical Republican values thqat date back to Lincoln. In that spirit, I will reach out to voters and find our common ground, not exploit our differences.
It is time to take a stand and define what the GOP stands for now that the US is an unopposed superpower and can shape world policy unilaterally for a generation to come.
That is a serious responsibility that warrants debate, even against an incumbent President.
Do you agree?

[Slings and Arrows]

Drafted by a living legend -- John McConnell, the 88-year-old founder of Earth Day and the Minute for Peace (1963). His friends have included 39 Nobel laureates. Former UN Secretary General U Thant called him one of the great peacemakers of the 20th century.

Ah, of course. Who better to pick the heir of Barry Goldwater and Ronald Reagan?