Republican Right Abandoning Bush

MSNBC ^ | May 5, 2006 | AP

[wotan]

WASHINGTON - Angry conservatives are driving the approval ratings of President Bush and the GOP-led Congress to dismal new lows, according to an AP-Ipsos poll that underscores why Republicans fear an Election Day massacre.

Six months out, the intensity of opposition to Bush and Congress has risen sharply, along with the percentage of Americans who believe the nation is on the wrong track.

The AP-Ipsos poll also suggests that Democratic voters are far more motivated than Republicans. Elections in the middle of a president’s term traditionally favor the party whose core supporters are the most energized.

[ExGeeEye]

Me: I, for one, will not vote to re-elect him.

You: I hear the sentiment, but I for one will drag myself to a voting booth in November to vote GOP.

Me again: I'll be there. GWB will not appear on the ticket. Therefore, I will be denied the opportunity to vote to re-elect him. Which I would do, despite my disagreements with specific policies.

What, you again? As for today, it's way too nice outside to spend it in front of a computer screen. Over and out.

Me getting the last word: Agreed. Now that the laundry is done, I'm off. May the blessings of Rufus T. Firefly (PBUH) go with you.

[papertyger]

We are no different from the donks in that regard: we run who can win and winners must draw from the middle. Change the constituency of the middle and you will see a change in candidates and in winners.

I disagree.

That's what the much maligned "Contract with America," and the "Young Turks" of the nineties where all about. Our problem is "they" got to Washington as conservatives and "grew."

Santorum is a grand example...he's probably going to lose his seat next go around, and in no small measure because he aided in helping Specter (<=sp) survive his primary challenge.

Santorum could have been President one day! He could suck up campaign contributions from all over the country as the youngest, most articulate, and most prominent conservative on the horizon.

Now, he's probably going to lose his seat because he allowed himself to be "the pragmatists" (to use the phrase from Bush 1's term) b!tch.

[TXBSAFH]

Not all republicans, but many in my area are no longer listening to the people. On a state level on taxes on a national level immigration. Those that do not listen I will not vote for. Period.

[Cap Huff]

Well, I sincerely hope you get the government you're looking for, but just in case, I also hope you have some ideas about how to get a Speaker of the House Pelosi, or a Senate Majority Leade Reid to listen to your concerns.

[TexasTransplant]

To MSNBC

If wishes were horses ya wouldn't have to walk

TT

[Buffalo49]

tyger: Our problem is "they" got to Washington as conservatives and "grew."

I agree with you...and Santorum abetting the likes of Specter is like watering down fine single malt scotch with lots of water. Takes all the discipline and fundamental soundness of conservatism and waters it way, way down.

[lawdude]

"I find it hard to imagine that anyone who describes themselves as conservative would give Bush a positive rating at this point."

Its a comparitive thing. A 20 degree temperature during a North Dakota December is warm.

Would I vote for Nancy Pelosi over any Republican? NEVER.

[Porterville]

No they are not. The same loud bunch of sissies are screaming louder and making more noise. It is a bunch of garbage we hear every election year.

Pat Buncananites in drag, because they are too afraid to show who they truly are.

[TXBSAFH]

The difference is getting slim these days. And besides either way the world will not end. To paraphase Rush Limbaugh after the 1992 election. "I will still go o work, and do my best in thte best country in the world."

[NavVet]

I must have missed the campaign speech where Bush promised to spend like a drunken sailor on shore leave and promised to grant amnesty to 10 million illegal aliens.

I never thought he would be another Ronald Regan, but to pretend that Bush's policies represent something less than a leerch to the left shows a rather predictable neo-com delusional thinking.

[MNJohnnie]

Intresting to note, every signel on of your Post is a pro DNC Talking point. So who do YOU work for? DNC? Moveon.org? Act Up? Hillary 2008?

[Gaffer]

Agree. Too many people on this thread are believing the lies and deliberate hijacking of the positive things this adminstration (and thus, the USA, have done) in the last 5-6 years. Immigration? Yes, it's a problem and I sharply differ with GW on that (big damn wall now, deport all illegals). But it isn't a problem he created, but is left (by will of the MSM having nothing else that will stick on him) for GW to correct.

Likewise, it will be a cold day in hell before I vote for any Democrat (except, for the likes of someone like Zell Miller).

[TXBSAFH]

If teh best argument you have for voting for the rinos is to keep a rat out, then do you realize how low the republican party has gone. That kind of fear mongering no longer has sway with me.

[reformedliberal]

We'll see. Santorum has come from behind before. Actually, I wouldn't be surprised to learn that conservative objections help Santorum.

Soros is supporting Casey. I wouldn't want to be supporting Santorum's loss, considering the alternative.

As for growth: unfortunately, that is how it works. It is about making deals, forming coalitions and cutting the difference. THAT is why conservatives do not control the party.

If anyone thinks the American people are going to support "my way or die" politicians, they are, IMO, wrong. I believe that is why the donks are in such bad shape.

This nation is consistently somewhat right of center. Like it or not, when confronted with a conservative, a progressive and a RINO, the RINO seems to be the GOP choice because they can garner the swing votes. There are some exceptions and I believe we need to support those canny conservatives who have majority support in their districts/states. In blue states, the progressives win and in swing states, it is, so far, the moderates of either party who have won. People learned from the Perot disaster and too many people are frightened by what they perceive as hard nosed, uncompromising right wingers.

Until the elections prove that America will vote in a landslide for strong conservative candidates, there will not be enough of them to make much of a difference.

[Badray]

The RINOs will 'the other guy is worse' us to the point that the GOP's candidate could be Joseph Stalin or Hillary Clinton and they'd tell us that 'at least it's not the devil.'

From now on, it's conservative or no vote. The weaked kneed RINOs be damned.

[TXBSAFH]

Agreed.

[Badray]

Conservatives care about what is done when the GOP holds the reins, but Republicans only care that the GOP holds the reins.

Right now, many conservatives don't see enough of a difference to give a damn who is in charge.

[Cap Huff]

That's a good, positive attitude, and one we would all do well to cultivate.

Rush's comment from 1992 is indeed admirable. Without fear mongering, however, even Rush would likely agree that we're still trying to deal with the repercussions of the eight years that followed. There was a lot of damage from those years that has cost a lot of lives and will continue to cost heavily. I'd rather not go down that path again.

[ex-snook]

"I will not vote for someome who is not conservative. Period. If that means I skip a vote of go third party so be it."

Works for me. It's the only way for your vote to be counted and politicians know you exist. Otherwise you will be part of the 'mandate' instead of part of the solution. If you can't find a conservative, always vote for gridlock.

[TXBSAFH]

Same here, but we are going down that path now, just with rinos are the wheel. It is time to put on the breaks and not voting for them is all they seem to understand.