How Bush could lose it

OC Register ^ | 1/25/04 | John Hood

[NormsRevenge]

President George W. Bush blew it Tuesday night. He delivered a State of the Union address that downplayed his most promising - and potentially revolutionary - domestic-policy initiatives. Earlier drafts had reportedly contained a lengthy exposition of his vision of an "ownership society," expanded and strengthened by tax changes and Social Security reform.

[Ranger Drew]

I, too, am very disenchanted. However, for every real conservative who is looking at voting "Libertarian",...remember,...those guys are for open borders! ...I'm looking strongly at the Constitution Party.

[MEG33]

It may may you feel good but it won't advance the conservative cause.

[Ranger Drew]

I will have done what's right in my own heart. ...Being the constitutionalist that I am.

[sinkspur]

Well Sink, I too am somebody you have run into a time or two--and you know I do have a lot of friends here.

I must have made more of an impression on you than you did on me, because I don't recall ever meeting you.

I don't like the fact that it is not possible to make money on any investment other than from speculative profits because the price goes up;

Oh, so you're for higher interest rates so YOU can make some money off your pitiful CDs? A CD is not an "investment"; it's a sure thing.

Listen, I've made money each of the last three years in the stock market, the three worst years EVER in the stock market. And I'm not that smart.

And, if you don't support the war on terror, I'm not paying attention to ANYTHING else you say.

Have a nice Sunday.

[imintrouble]

I am not a disruptor but I am concerned about the border and immigration idea President Bush has outlined.

I truly believe he is wrong and in this case is pandering to votes and deals within the walls of government, rather than considering the people of the United States.

I would not enjoy being described as a disruptor for stating this, and President Bush is certainly man enough to allow me free speech even if it is in disagreement with this one issue.

It is, however, a huge, far reaching issue, having a great and negative imact on the American people.

Because of this one future concept, which is inexplicable to the majority of people in this country, he may lose his edge of popularity.

Would I prefer another in his place?

No.

[AuntB]

" I believe in living within ones means."

We appear to be in the minority, Rifleman.

[PersonalLiberties]

I don't like having American soldiers, underequiped and undersupplied, scattered all around the globe; with my own 19 year old son in the prime draft window; I don't like the fact that it is not possible to make money on any investment other than from speculative profits because the price goes up; I think free trade ought to be free on both sides and our trading partners do not have open trading borders and should not get access to our markets until they do; I don't like uncontrolled open borders; and I see government economic policy, both fiscal and monetary, as being run for the benefit of Wall Street Investment managers and not the citizens of the United States.

THank you David for having the courage to post your above thoughts. Especially regarding our military. Today, I was actually trying to decide if I would even bother with Freeper anymore. I was starting to think they were beholding to special interests too - LOL. Seriously, thanks for your thoughts

[RiflemanSharpe]

Minority or majority one should do what one thinks is right.

[RiflemanSharpe]

I as of now WILL be voting constitution party.

[lsmith1990]

""I would keep an eye out for disruptors who are too quick to bash, nag, or insult conservatives who question some of our President's initiatives."

My point is that these conservatives arent really representative of the conservative movement but think they are because they can log on to BLOGs where like minded people share their opinions, thus giving them the illusion that they are greater in number than they really are. I am quite informed but yet Ive never heard of Chuck Baldwin Ministries. Yet his opinion is posted here as though it is as mainstream conservative as National Review, which by the way I almost never see posted here.

I am not questioning critics of Pres Bush, I am questioning those who would sit home on election day. I am questioning those who think a DEM in the White House setting national security priorities and appointing judges isnt any worse than even a disappointing conservative. Those people had better not even think of complaining about losing their liberties if a DEM become President.

[RiflemanSharpe]

Since the amnesty was proposed I have sent three RNC/Bush fundraising requests into the trash. It already has cost them money.

[lsmith1990]

I can predict this: If Bush loses in 2004, dont expect to win again for at least. There was an article in National Review back in 2000 that predicted the GOP would win its last Presidential Election in 2004. From then on, it would face and ever deepening loss of electoral support

[Baklava]

Cobra64 Wrote:

"Meg33, the problem I have with GWB is that I am having a hard time telling the difference from him and some of the dems."

"Me too. "

Me three, as the Stooges would say. I'm at the point where I'd gladly support an alternative Republican candidate who can shrink the government, balance the budget, and not infringe on our liberties.

[Owen]

Nothing wrong with criticism. It may influence thought. But there is something wrong with encouraging suspension of donations to the campaign. Or support of the Democrat because "if we hold Congress, it teaches them a lesson". That's sabotage. It's also inaccurate. The same people call the GOP in the Senate spineless. The same people are required to be consistent. If the GOP Senate is spineless, it will not oppose stealth pro-Choice nominees to the USSC -- and make no mistake about it -- there *will* be USSC openings in the next term. Voting against Bush kills unborn children. Period.

An extremist will never get to vote FOR anyone in a general election. That is the nature of the universe. He or she will get to vote FOR someone in a primary, but that candidate will never survive to the general election.

And so, extremists will always find themselves voting AGAINST the worst of the two viable choices. That isn't conspiracy or contrivance. That is the nature of the "political spectrum". It is by definition, not by choice.

There is no GOP primary opposition to Bush this year. That's the norm for incumbents. There are exceptions, but they are just that, exceptions, not norms. There will be none this year.

WF Buckley has the definitive last words on this:

"I support the rightmost candidate who is viable."

[azhenfud]

The Republicans may now think Bush has November all sewed up, and President Bush and his advisors may feel secure in his lead in polls at the moment. But need they be reminded President Bush won by a only a slim margin in 2000, and if he's not careful, he could easily alienate the more conservative margin of the party resulting in a loss of the White House?

Taking the constituency for granted? Nothing in politics is a sure thing until it's in the past tense - especially promises. Then, many times it's a lie...

[Ranger Drew]

I am already losing my liberties and a Republican is President.

* Patriot Act I and II

* Uncontrolled illegal immigration

* A potential resigning of the AWB

...the list goes on and on.

[contessa machiaveli]

but people do care about the loss of good paying jobs in the US, and none of the candidates have articulated how best to reverse the trend. the prez would be unbeatable if he had a plan (penalize corporations that offshore jobs and setup offices in bermuda, etc).
the situation is great for my 401k(and my husband a nd my jobs are untouchable) but i don't see how this country will stop the downward trajectory of the standard of living for people who once had well paying jobs.

[SCalGal]

Right now the Repubs are spending like drunken sailors.

As someone else pointed out on another thread: Drunken sailors spend their own money.

[Starwind]

A CD is not an "investment"; it's a sure thing.

You're very uninformed. Here is your vaunted "sure thing".

Treasury has started early redemptions of the long bond, cancelling that "sure thing" interest income that retirees had planned and bet their retirement on. Treasury Calls 9-1/8 Percent Bonds of 2004-09

But Karl Rove luvs ya.