GOP slams Bush policies at retreat

Washington Times ^ | 06 Feb 04 | Ralph Z. Hallow and James G. Lakely

[AreaMan]

Growing frustration over President Bush's immigration plan and lack of fiscal discipline came to a head behind closed doors at last weekend's Republican retreat in Philadelphia.

House lawmakers, stunned by the intensity of their constituents' displeasure at some of Mr. Bush's key domestic policies, gave his political strategist Karl Rove an earful behind closed doors.

[AreaMan]

I am bummed by this. Sometimes I think that Bush and his advisors are using national security as a whip to keep the conservatives in line. National security is a legitimate concern and the Democrats are usually a disaster on it.

But what will happen to our country internally if we have to compromise on biggies like immigration and spending in order to keep people in power who are good on national security?

Verily, verily I am greatly vexed by my own party.

[finnman69]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1072598/posts

duplicate

[AreaMan]

Oops. I should have searched more thoroughly.

[Malesherbes]

I'm in the same boat as AreaMan. I e-mailed my Republican Congressman and Senator complaining about immigration. The Congressman wrote to say that he was against "amnesty;" the Senator never replied. The latest spending atrocity is $ 1.2 billion to refurbish the United Nations building.

I'll vote for Bush in November (but with diminished enthusiasm) simply because the alternative is Lurch Kerry, the very model of a limousine liberal. Yet, I'm beginning to rationalize the silver lining in a Kerry presidency - it would end the possibility of Hitlery in the White House.

[hawk1]

Bush has heard from his own party on immigration and still refuses to back down. His statement he knows the issue is very troubling. Someone whom has seen the problems and continues on this path is simply using poor judgement. He will probably gain very little votes for his plan but he has agitated many of his base.

[RJCogburn]

what will happen to our country internally if we have to compromise on biggies like immigration and spending in order to keep people in power who are good on national security?

A rhetorical question.

[My2Cents]

Good. This is the way gripes should be handled.

BTW, anyone wanting to learn the truth about the Medicare drug benefit legislation, go here: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1072863/posts

[goodnesswins]

I'm glad to hear this....this is how politics works....not through the tantrums of the "I won't vote" tribes....but through honest disagreements aired so our leaders do know what we think. I, for one, am not happy with the spending, and the immigration issue is a problem, but I'm sure as He** NOT going to sit out this election, or vote for someone who will get a Democrat elected.

[mallardx]

I think bringing up the whole debate on immigration is a very brave, bold venture; another thing I like about this W fella. It's not going to make everyone happy, but I think his plan is better than all the alkternatives I've heard, including not dealing with it. The President isn't going to make everyone happy all the time - he's going to do what he thinks is right. He's got my vote, especially when you compare him to the criminals in the Dem party...

[Uncle Miltie]

"Many of the 218 Republicans at the retreat said immigration and overspending had emerged as the top two issues in their home districts."

And yet the vast majority of R Congresscritters in the room voted for the largest socialist program in 30 years.

Can't blame the President for failing to curb your profligacy. A pox on both your houses.

[badmrbunny]

A few months ago, somebody hijacked Mr. Bush, and replaced him with this craven , big spending liberal. It's like a death in the family...I'm still in mourning.

[Indie]

I, too, have emailed both my Senators a long time ago about both of these issues.
I will not, however, vote for a socialist for President, just because my man ain't conservative enough. That would be true folly. He has led us well, and we can only pray for divine guidance for Him. And don't forget...nothing gets passed without going through our representatives first, so I wouldn't worry too much. [except of course gay marriage and abortion...and anything else the dictatorial judiciary wants to pronounce legal]

In short, vote for BUSH! Or we are doomed for sure as a nation. I've never felt stronger about anything. If we lose to a Rat, we are lost.