Conservatives, Cut Bush Slack

The Chicago Sun-Times ^ | June 22, 2002 | Thomas Roeser

[quidnunc]

This summer will mark the 47th year since I took my first Republican job: as public relations director for the party in Minnesota. Since then I have rarely strayed from politics, or my party. I served as a staffer to two GOP congressmen, to a GOP governor, as a federal appointee to Richard Nixon and as a corporate executive who supported in Washington and Springfield much, if not all, of the Republican agenda.

You can describe me as a conservative. Thus I am qualified to say that although I dearly love conservatives, they tend to be querulous, disagreeable and threaten revolt when Republican office-holders don't please them. So it is now with George W. Bush. Here is a president who has surprised us all with the firmness and resolve he showed after 9/11. I must tell you I voted for him with less enthusiasm than I had for many of his predecessors. But his administration has pleased me often — most notably on two issues: defense of America and social policy.

Yet, Bush has to get re-elected in a country that is evenly divided on philosophy. Thus he must occasionally — on matters that sometimes offend conservatives — dip into the other side's ideology for support. He has done so on three notable occasions: on the issue of steel protectionism, where he departed his free-market proclamations; on the signing of a campaign finance bill tailored by his enemies, and allowing his attorney general (in the words of Libertarian Nat Hentoff in the Washington Times) "to send disguised agents into religious institutions, libraries and meetings of citizens critical of government policy without a previous complaint, or reason to believe that a crime has been committed."

In a perfect political world, where conservatives are in the majority, these things would be sufficient to encourage a boycott of the polls. Either that or a protest vote for the Democratic opposition. But we are not in a perfect world. We conservatives have a president who didn't receive a majority of the votes, and has one house of Congress against him. He must make compromises to get re-elected. Conservatives who do not understand the nature of politics ought to stay in their air-conditioned ivory towers and refrain from political activity altogether. If they cannot adjudge the stakes in this election and the difference between Bush and an Al Gore or a John Kerry (D-Mass.) or a Dick Gephardt (D-Mo.), they are foolish indeed.

-snip-

To read the remainder of this op/ed open the article via the link provided in the thread's header.

[jla]

Thank you, ma'am.

[Dan from Michigan]

I think Rocky may suprise some people.

[Bob Quixote]

I was under the impression that conservatives wanted more freedom. Am I wrong? And what's wrong with "Braveheart," anyway?

[Don Myers]

Well, I have suddenly become a member of the female race. A few of the Muslims want to do things to my body. Little things like that. Otherwise, I am holding out alright.

[Jim Robinson]

What amazes me are those conservatives who believe that Bill Clinton would be better for the country than Bob Dole, especially after having suffered through eight years of slime and corruption, not to mention the huge losses in national security, etc. Now you're ready to sit on your hands and turn it over to Gore or Hillary? Some principles I do not understand.

[DoughtyOne]

I would argue that the state is solid democrat because the Republicans have not gone back to core values in so long. Supporting family values, fighing crime, cutting taxes and defending the average guy who's just trying to raise his family sells well across the spectrum.

Note that prop 186 and prop 207 passed by wide margins out here. People of all races wish to do the right thing. It's just been a long time since Republicans had the back bone to stand up and tell it like it is. That has cost our state dearly.

[Don Myers]

"Pat would be impeached before his first day in office was completed."

By whom? Those idiots couldn't even get Klinton.

[Texasforever]

And what's wrong with "Braveheart," anyway?

Nothing at all. It was a kick ass movie that had very little relation to what actually happened.

[Twodees]

Hmm, lemmesee... the Senate was controlled by republicans and Clinton still gave us liberal, activist judges. How'd that happen?

The Senate was in republican hands and Clinton was acquitted, too. As much as I dread the wrath of everyone on this thread, we had better prepare ourselves for the possibility that the republican party isn't conservative.

[blackie]

I got that you don't like GWB.
Enjoy your misery for the next six plus years... !!

GWB Is The Man !!

Freedom Is Worth Fighting For !!

Molon Labe !!

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

He signed CFR. I believe I said earlier on this thread that I could put up with almost any compromise Bush makes, but CFR did me in, so to speak.

[Jim Robinson]

As an Honorary Texan, I vote no.

[Texasforever]

By whom? Those idiots couldn't even get Klinton.

Oh believe me they would.

[Ben Ficklin]

Typically, you change the subject.

As for the airport employees, ask Congress.

[Don Myers]

Well, at least, we agree on Micky Mouse.

[NMC EXP]

I like the Duck, cover, and hold method. It uses less energy.

I am tempted to ask what is is you are holding....never mind.

Regards

J.R.

[Charlotte Corday]

I do not believe the Republic can survive another Clinton/Gore Whitehouse

Jim:

You've named the two Democrats who would motivate all Freepers and all conservatives to vote to re-elect GWB.

(Including all three members of the Corday household, all increasingly despondent about the paralysis in Bush's veto hand)

But if the Democrats nominate someone who does not have the Gore/Hillary ethical baggage, will all conservatives still crawl across the broken glass?

Or will the GOP discover it has sold its principles for naught?

BTW you might want to speak to the moderator who has pulled the "Cleaning Lady" graphic. He or she could benefit greatly from a new dermatological process known as "skin thickening"....

[Howlin]

You may have future with the FBI; (what are you wearing....LOL)

[Don Myers]

"Oh believe me they would."

Would they bring in the big guns, the interns?

[Ben Ficklin]

Look at the electoral votes.