I don't mean or think that Bush is stupid. His mentality is that of his father. Neither had any killer instinct, but relied on insider connections and personal loyalties to run things. Their mindset is inside-the-Beltway establishment thinking. They do not have strong conservative principles, and fail to realize that people are ruled by ideas and passions. The Republican Congressional leadership is no better. I've never been able to understand why Rove was considered a genius. Winning elections for a Republican in Texas doesn't take that much skill. These guys almost lost to treacherous fools like Gore and Kerry. Kerry should have been crushed and investigated for treason. Sandy Burglar should never have been given a wrist-slap and allowed back into public life. We are at war, and our survival is at stake. Open borders, free drugs for wealthy seniors, and free trade with our mortal enemy China are Bush's answers.
The biggest problem Reps have is learning how to exercise power. They just couldn't get used to being in the majority after being in the minority so long. It is like tethering a dog to a pole with a chain for a long time. You can take the chain off, but the dog won't stray from the pole any further than the length of the chain.
"I've never been able to understand why Rove was considered a genius."
Carl took campaign data mining to a whole new level. If there was a hot button to be pushed in a locality, he could find it.
Your comments are spot on, IMO.