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Ex-Aide Details a Loss of Faith in the President
The New York Times ^ | April 1, 2007 | JIM RUTENBERG

Posted on 03/31/2007 4:54:41 PM PDT by NRPM

AUSTIN, Tex., March 29 — In 1999, Matthew Dowd became a symbol of George W. Bush’s early success at positioning himself as a Republican with Democratic appeal.

A top strategist for the Texas Democrats who was disappointed by the Bill Clinton years, Mr. Dowd was impressed by the pledge of Mr. Bush, then governor of Texas, to bring a spirit of cooperation to Washington. He switched parties, joined Mr. Bush’s political brain trust and dedicated the next six years to getting him to the Oval Office and keeping him there. In 2004, he was appointed the president’s chief campaign strategist.

Looking back, Mr. Dowd now says his faith in Mr. Bush was misplaced.

In a wide-ranging interview here, Mr. Dowd called for a withdrawal from Iraq and expressed his disappointment in Mr. Bush’s leadership.

(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: bush; dowd; gentleness; kumbaya; matthewdowd; obama; rove; schwarzenegger
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Very disappointing to hear a former Bush insider turn on him and go public with these criticisms. I imagine he will soon be on 60 Minutes.
1 posted on 03/31/2007 4:54:43 PM PDT by NRPM
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To: NRPM

May an ostrich poop on Mr Dowd.


2 posted on 03/31/2007 4:56:30 PM PDT by yldstrk (My heros have always been cowboys--Reagan and Bush)
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To: NRPM
NYT = automatic BARF alert....

Methinks...

3 posted on 03/31/2007 4:58:02 PM PDT by Wings-n-Wind (The answers remain available; Wisdom is obtained by asking all the right questions!)
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To: NRPM
In 2004, he was appointed the president’s chief campaign strategist.

If he held this position, he's also responsible for Bush's policies... as people voted Bush a president based on his campaign...

4 posted on 03/31/2007 4:59:14 PM PDT by paudio
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To: yldstrk

>>>May an ostrich poop on Mr Dowd.

At the very least. :)


5 posted on 03/31/2007 4:59:21 PM PDT by Keith in Iowa (Attention Liberals! Shhhh, listen closely! That's the sound of nobody caring what you think!)
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To: Wings-n-Wind

Good point - it merited a barf alert. I wasn't thinking.


6 posted on 03/31/2007 5:01:01 PM PDT by NRPM
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To: NRPM

This is really Treason. Time for the gallows.


7 posted on 03/31/2007 5:01:50 PM PDT by Doe Eyes
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To: NRPM
I don't trust anyonewith the name Dowd. Furthermore, speaking of insiders, sleeping with Carville doesn't peg the trust-meter either. I'll never understand that one.
8 posted on 03/31/2007 5:02:05 PM PDT by NonValueAdded (Prevent Glo-Ball Warming ... turn out the sun when not in use)
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To: NRPM

Once a demorat, always a demorat, it seems.


9 posted on 03/31/2007 5:04:50 PM PDT by jsh3180
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To: NRPM
>>>Very disappointing to hear a former Bush insider turn on him<<<

Do we know that this guy wasn't a plant or total-Rino when he came to Bush's camp? No we don't. Shame on Bush in believing the "new tone" crap...it was a trap that has bitten him many times.

This guy might be the author of that naive policy which obviously hasn't gotten an ounce of cooperation from the left side of the aisle!

10 posted on 03/31/2007 5:07:06 PM PDT by HardStarboard (The Democrats are more afraid of American Victory than Defeat!)
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To: NRPM

Sometimes when you go through life changing circumstances, one steps back and looks at some of the decision made through a different set of lenses. Sounds like this guy did just that.


11 posted on 03/31/2007 5:07:55 PM PDT by joesbucks
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To: NonValueAdded

I wondered about the name "Dowd" too, but I guess there's no relation.

I thought sure that a few months after Clinton left office there would be all kinds of memoirs about what really went on during the dark days of his administration. Aside from Dick Morris, and maybe Stephanopolis, there really weren't any. I still can't understand the loyalty that Clinton's people have for him (or is it fear?).

Bush is loyal to a fault, and never speaks ill of anyone, and yet people keep doing this to him. It's sickening.


12 posted on 03/31/2007 5:08:30 PM PDT by NRPM
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To: NRPM
But, he said, “I wouldn’t be surprised if I wasn’t walking around in Africa or South America doing something that was like mission work.”

He added, “I do feel a calling of trying to re-establish a level of gentleness in the world.”

Don't let the door hit you.

13 posted on 03/31/2007 5:10:18 PM PDT by Cicero (Marcus Tullius)
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To: HardStarboard
Do we know that this guy wasn't a plant or total-Rino when he came to Bush's camp?

From the article he was a dem who worked for Bush.

14 posted on 03/31/2007 5:10:41 PM PDT by mnehring (Hillary-Care is not a solution, for medicine or our military!!!!!!!!!!!!)
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To: NRPM
I still can't understand the loyalty that Clinton's people have for him.

Maybe it was what clinton said to his staff the weekend after Vince Foster's death. Something like "This will teach friends not to betray their friends."

15 posted on 03/31/2007 5:12:04 PM PDT by Cicero (Marcus Tullius)
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To: NRPM
"Looking back, Mr. Dowd now says his faith in Mr. Bush was misplaced."

I know the feeling, however would have donated money, work, and vote again given the alternatives. While GW wasn't what I really had hoped he would be, he certainly was better than either of those whom he opposed at the polling place.

Not a sterling political epitaph but guess it will have to do.

16 posted on 03/31/2007 5:12:41 PM PDT by ImpBill ("America ... Where are you now?")
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To: yldstrk

"May an ostrich poop on Mr Dowd."

you are very kind. I was thinking more of an elephant....then maybe the elephant would fall over ...oops another gnat squashed.


17 posted on 03/31/2007 5:13:03 PM PDT by 4integrity
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To: NRPM

"A top strategist for the Texas Democrats who was disappointed by the Bill Clinton years"

Sounds like he is the type of strategist who goes which ever way the wind is blowing. Republicans were becoming dominant when he switched the first time and now that Dems control both Houses he has switched back.


18 posted on 03/31/2007 5:13:22 PM PDT by SmoothTalker
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To: HardStarboard

>>This guy might be the author of that naive policy which obviously hasn't gotten an ounce of cooperation from the left side of the aisle!

Very interesting idea. It would make sense, since it said Dowd was attracted to Bush because of his bipartisanship in Texas.

But nothing Bush offered was reciprocated in Washington. I thought Rush was too hard on Bush regarding the "new tone" but Rush was proven right.


19 posted on 03/31/2007 5:13:59 PM PDT by NRPM
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To: NRPM

There are only about 20 ways I would LOVE to slice and dice this article.

This isn't just disappointing...but it is sabatoge...

He is trying to help sabatoge Prs. Bush's foreign policy...and it sure does answer a lot of questions why Pres. Bush wasn't "harder" than he was....DOWD wasn't letting him..damn him.

But, ironically, he is disappointed in Bush for NOT being soft and compassionate enough..or willing to "work for concensus"....but, the conservatives are angry with Bush for being "too compassionate and working for concensus".

Just as I have been saying for years....he is damned if he does, damned if he doesn't...but, since his #1 job is keeping this country secure from attacks..I will take his style ANY DAY!!!

I thank you, Pres. Bush.


20 posted on 03/31/2007 5:14:58 PM PDT by Txsleuth
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