Posted on 03/21/2002 7:07:23 AM PST by Dales
People want nothing so much from their politicians as for them simply to say what they mean and stick by their word. Bush has a well-earned reputation for this, and an abrupt flip-flop on campaign-finance reform an issue real people don't care about will hardly erase it.
This is a huge miscalculation on somebody's part. Being from Texas, especially Midland, I would think Bush would know better about how important his word is to his support base. He has already had to suffer the "like father, like son" attachment to "No new taxes". We see how going back on his word about taxes impacted GHWBush's ability to be an effective President and it killed his chances at reelection.
If the President of the United States thinks he has no obligation to uphold the Constitution, he has no business being President. Us non-real people who do care about the constitution, regardless of the issue (CFR in this case) will do our best to make those real people who don't care care.
I personally am not that concerned about CFR itself. I am very concerned that the President would sign something into law knowing that it is unconstitutional. In this case, there can be no doubt or misunderstanding that he is not aware that this bill is unconstitutional.
Statement by the President
Like many Republicans and Democrats in the Congress, I support common-sense reforms to end abuses in our campaign finance system. The reforms passed today, while flawed in some areas, still improve the current system overall, and I will sign them into law.
The legislation makes some important progress on the timeliness of disclosure, individual contribution limits, and banning soft money from corporations and labor unions, but it does present some legitimate constitutional questions. I continue to believe the best reform is full and timely disclosure of campaign contributions.
If G.W. Bush signs this bill, he will not get another vote from me. I have been proud of him and boasted of my 3 previous votes for him, but this blatant disrespect for the laws our country, our freedom, are based upon will cause me to do a "flip-flop" on him just like he will have done to those who have supported him.
Apparently, today is not that day.
'course Bush was furious at Arafat for lying to him, just how are we suppose to feel???
Many 3rd party people end up supporting us. Let them follow their convictions. What's the big deal?
I am waking up to the reality that in these past 14 months I have been walking under a cloud of delusions, that we had a leader who would ably lead the resurgence in conservatism. There's no question that our President is a loser for our cause. How disappointing!
Apparently, today is not that day.
Unfortunately, today is not that day. I'll keep trying though, I promise. (wink)
Maybe we all need to contact Bush and remind him of this campaign promise from 2000!
I believe George W.Bush is a man of his word, but on this issue he doesn't have my support. The current CFR legislation, especially the issue ad ban, is unconstitutional. If Bush signs this bill and it appears he will, then hope lies with the Supreme Court overruling that part which is a plain violation of free speech.
Lets face it; Bush is a darn good politician, but he is not an exceptional leader.
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