Peggy Noonan: Breaking Up Is Hard to Do

The Wall Street Journal ^ | January 25, 2008 | Peggy Noonan

[Aristotelian]

President Bush already did that to the Republicans.

A word to the wise: Look at what's happening as a result of not having a conservative in the White House. I recall railing against Bush eight years ago and being stomped on by Bush apologists. Now look. The apologies for Bush have stopped and look at the mess that's been left.

We best remember this when it comes to picking this year's candidate. Another non-conservative GOPer would be disastrous.

[Darkwolf377]

Yes, you're right, we should have supported Gore in 2000... Or McCain. Or...

It's so trendy to bash Bush that we forget many of the sins perpetrated by the genuinely great Ronald Reagan, which we so conveniently forget.

Bush has not been a conservative in spending, but he's done quite a bit I'm happy with, and quite a bit the worshipers of Reagan conveniently ignore.

[Darkwolf377]

Do conservatives take inspiration from Mr. Romney's newness? Or do they take comfort and security from Mr. McCain's rugged ability to endure, and to remind?

It's a false choice--I can imagine conservatives, like me, holding our nose and voting for Romney, but can't imagine conservatives voting for McCain for any other reason than "Not Hillary".

[Truthsearcher]

I don’t regret voting for GWB for one sec.

He’s not perfect but compared to the alternatives he’s far superior.

Do you really want Hillary to appoint the next 3 or 4 Supreme Court Justices? If that happens it’s all over. A lot of the leftist on the court have stubbornly refused to retire because the wanted to out wait Bush. The moment Hillary is in they will retire.

Romney was not my first choice, and he’s not perfect. But getting him in is very important.

[verklaring]

Another non-conservative GOPer would be disastrous.

True, so now what?

The above "so now what?" is not sarcasm. It is a genuine question looking for an answer.

The usual "My favorite RINO" - _____________ (fill in blank) is not it.

The alternative DEM _______________ ( is a seemingly a worse horror).

Living in a blue state, I am inclined to say pass the popcorn while we watch the ship sink. Unfortunately I am on the ship.

[DB]

I didn’t vote for Bush in the 2000 Republican primary.

Once it became only choice between Bush and Gore there was only one possible choice - which I don’t regret making. Gore would have been far worse.

So it is what it is. That’s life.

[Aristotelian]

My view of Bush isn’t “trendy.” I was a staunch Forbes supporter.

[peyton randolph]

The usual "My favorite RINO" - _____________ (fill in blank) is not it.

---

Conservatives are the new RINOs. Rockefeller has replaced Reagan as exemplified by the remaining GOP candidates.

"Liberal Republican" has now become redundant.

 

 

[bruinbirdman]

". . he's done quite a bit I'm happy with"

Some just find it difficult to give credit where credit is due.

OTOH, since GW is not running, I suppose even conservatives can vent, to make a conservative point, without much harm.

Saying, "He should have vetoed the Democrat budget" does not exactly help Democrats.

yitbos

[backhoe]

My view of Bush isn’t “trendy.” I was a staunch Forbes supporter.

So was I, neighbor. And because I don't like "dialogging" with idiots, I won't say anything more. I'm just hiding out in the swamps until later...

[DoughtyOne]

That’s exactly where we’re headed. Minds are made up, you can’t say a word to them.

Romney has bee anointed and the only thing left is to start the daily threads with pictures. At least we can hope that some person would have the good sense to pray for the nation this next eight years, instead of one individual that doesn’t care enough about U.S. Citizens to stop them from be killed by foreign nationals.

Lordy, we lean NOTHING from history and wonder why conservatism is dying.

In four years, we’ll do it again.

Just duh!

[verklaring]

Conservatives are the new RINOs. Rockefeller has replaced Reagan as exemplified by the remaining GOP candidates. "Liberal Republican" has now become redundant.

I fear conservative is fast becoming "a dinosaur" or more accurately - a museum piece: rare and valuable but considered obsolete.

[DoughtyOne]

Yeah, I’ve seen a lot of Reagan bashing around here to make Bush and Romney look better.

Neither one of them is fit to carry his slippers.

[Darkwolf377]

My view of Bush isn’t “trendy.”

Oh, you're right--praise for Bush is IN!

I was a staunch Forbes supporter.

Explains a lot.

Yeah, he would have DEMOLISHED Gore--except he couldn't even win the nomination.

[SWAMPSNIPER]

I can give him credit for the good, but it doesn’t excuse the bad!
There was a time when I would have walked on hot coals for George Bush, don’t call me disloyal. The damned Amicus brief is the final nail, I’ve seen the light!

[Darkwolf377]

Yeah, I’ve seen a lot of Reagan bashing around here to make Bush and Romney look better. Neither one of them is fit to carry his slippers.

Noticing that Reagan was a human being, and made mistakes, isn't "bashing" unless one idolizes him. Allowing the greatest president of my lifetime to be human isn't "bashing" him, but when one is desperate one has to make such statements, I guess.

[DoughtyOne]

Hey, do you even care about the U.S. Constitution and our Second Amendment rights?

You don’t regret voting for a man that is trying to short circuit the first review of the Second Amendment in 60 years?

I’ve spent my whole adult life hoping to have the U.S. Supreme court clarify our irrefutable gun rights, and Bush had his solicitor general send a brief to the court that supports carve outs.

Just damn!!! It’s been 60 fricken years, and you glibly act as if this means nothing at all.

[Darkwolf377]

I don’t regret voting for GWB for one sec. He’s not perfect but compared to the alternatives he’s far superior. Do you really want Hillary to appoint the next 3 or 4 Supreme Court Justices? If that happens it’s all over. A lot of the leftist on the court have stubbornly refused to retire because the wanted to out wait Bush. The moment Hillary is in they will retire. Romney was not my first choice, and he’s not perfect. But getting him in is very important.

Great post, couldn't agree more.

I will vote for the Republican against Hillary, but I don't think it's going to do us any good.

[DoughtyOne]

What a dumn s—t! The problem is that I idolize Reagan, but you certainly don’t idolize Bush and Romney.

What a J.A.

[mkjessup]

It's so trendy to bash Bush that we forget many of the sins perpetrated by the genuinely great Ronald Reagan, which we so conveniently forget.

It isn't a question of being 'trendy', it's a question of whether one is going to face the reality that Bush:

- has failed to defend our borders

- has failed to restrain spending

- has sold out the North Korean people

- is in the process of selling out Israel

- has empowered Condi Rice to let Iran off the hook

- sold out Agents Ramos and Compean

- sought to legalize millions of illegal immigrants

...and the list goes on and on.

As for Bush's choices for the SCOTUS?

Before the BushBot apologists (yeah I'm talkin' to you DarkWolf) start praising Bush for Roberts and Alito, don't forget that Bush tried to sneak the ill-qualified RINO Harriet Myers by the American people and it was only because of conservatives raising holy Hell that he was prevented from doing so.

Now as for "many of the sins" of Ronald Reagan, I don't think there is a conservative American alive that would choose what is going to be the disgraceful and shameful legacy of George W. Bush, over that of our 40th President.

Enjoy your BushBot Wheaties w/extra nutty apologies this morning.

Whitewash with extra milk.