Reminds me of the tale SofS Colin Powell told about one of his early conversations with President Bush. (I paraphrase)
"Mr. President, I don't know what do do, people on the left say I am too conservative and the people on the right say I am too liberal.
President Bush replied, 'That's exactly where I want you.'"
President Bush's first three years have been a wonderful ride for anyone truly interested in the "Conservative" cause. If he goes down to defeat this year (which if History repeats, which it often does in US Politics, tells us he will) this time will be remembered as being one of the most exciting Political times in our History.
And if you think you've got it bad now, just wait. The AgJobs bill, which Bush's plan co-opts, will make them Citizens.
I guess if that history is limited to his father then you could be right but real history bodes well for GW and the GOP. These folks around here calling themselves he "base" are in deep denial. Their definition of "base" was factored out in 1996 when they sat on their hands and let Dole lose to Clinton. After they did it in 92 with Perot and the 2 million that sat at home in 2000 they were written off completely. There is a new "base" in town and it is not the one the FR unappeasables are talking about.