[okie01]

I would have to say that Bush got the number one thing right, but he was a lukewarm conservative at best and his second term has been a disaster for the GOP.

About as fair and accurate an assessment as one could make.

One quibble, though. I wouldn't ascribe the turmoil in the GOP solely to Bush. The actions of the GOP majority and its leadership in Congress did much to foul the nest.

I recall our incessantly having to make excuses for them -- well, they don't really have a majority...well, there are some political realities they have to deal with, etc.

Next time, we should know better. Be merciless toward our elected officials. Hold their feet to the fire. And, if necessary, burn them in the primary.

[KC_Conspirator]

Yeah, I am not blaming everything on Bush. However, I have said that Bush did nothing that he campaigned on in 2004 and that eroded his support over time. No permanent tax cut, no ban on gay marraige, etc. Plus Bush picked fights with the GOP over illegal aliens, judges, Dubai ports, sea treaty, etc..

So much opportunity squandered.

[snarkybob]

” One quibble, though. I wouldn’t ascribe the turmoil in the GOP solely to Bush. The actions of the GOP majority and its leadership in Congress did much to foul the nest.
I recall our incessantly having to make excuses for them — well, they don’t really have a majority...well, there are some political realities they have to deal with, etc.
Next time, we should know better. Be merciless toward our elected officials. Hold their feet to the fire. And, if necessary, burn them in the primary.”

I would also say as Republican/conservative voters, we let this happen. When the GOP started to imitate the Dems. many cheered them on for having co-opted the Dem agenda. I also remember that almost any criticism of GWB was answered with your argument about not having a real majority. There was also more than a little unrealistic hero worship. GWB was like Brer Rabbit, every time he rolled over on his base or did the Dems. bidding it was explained as a clever ruse. Just wait, and at the proper time GWB would spring the trap and pound the Dems. to dust. It was all part of his stategery.
The funny thing is, if you owned a business and had an employee that had the same shortcomings, you’d probably let them go. Not make excuses for them, or pretend that a looming disaster was in reality a victory of some kind.
We let ourselves be fooled, and now we have to figure out a way out of the wilderness.