Rove Vows to GOP Leaders: 'No Triangulation'-Bush Not Moving to Politcial Center

Roll Call and ABC News ^ | February 3, 2003 | Mark Halperin, Liz Wilner & Marc Ambinder w/Crabtree

[ewing]

Senior White House Advisor Karl Rove has sworn off the concept of 'Triangulating' his fellow Republicans, the approach to Congress once synonymous with the Clinton Adminstration. [and their top advisor Dick Morris]

At a closed door House Republican leadership retreat last Wednesday, Rove repeatedly stressed that the concept of political 'triangulation' does not work and said that President George W. Bush would not alienate House Republicans by moving to the center, leaving them isolated in efforts to rally the party's political base.

Republican GOP Leadership aides said that the comments worked to reassure lawmakers after the President appeared to burnish his 'compassionate conservative' credentials in last weeks State of the Union address by calling on Congress to dedicate more money to combat AIDS in Africa and develop hydrogen powered cars.

[legman]

You make some good points.

And you're right. To this point I have not sent money directly from my pocket to AIDS in Africa, though I'm sure I have indirectly. I'm working on my taxes this week. It's been a rough year for my family. Income is down and expenses are up. Still, we were able to give about 10% of our gross income to charitable causes.

I'm not for waste, but I'm am looking for ways to provide solutions. I read an interesting editorial recently that said Islam is no longer the fastest growing religion in the world, Christianity now is. This is happening primarily in Africa (9% Christian in 1990, 46% Christian in 2000.)

The Islamic foothold in Africa is slipping. There are more ways to fight terror than force. This is one of those ways. And in the long run, its cheaper.

What about you? Since you don't want governments to help, are you doing anything personally?

[poet]

"Well....if giving up your freedom is inevitable, isn't slower better than faster?"

Not at all. If they take our freedoms blatantly on a faster pace, perhaps people would wake up before it was too late, which, IMO, it already too late.

If you haven't read the "patriot law, I suggest you do so and pay particular attention to the FACT that Section 802 has no expiration while the rest of the law has a 4 year lifespan. That is vert telling to me.

[F16Fighter]

"Agree with you about the betrayal. But I still feel he ran a poor campaign. I saw his debate performances, and they weren't the Schundler I was counted on. I saw him let the tenor of the campaign be dictated by his adversaries."

I concur.

He appeared rattled by his adversaries (The RINOs and Dems) while not quite conveying a passionate conviction to the tenets of his beliefs....

In other words, he failed to go for the throat of his opponents.

[Sam's Army]

Just for fun, let's see if you can say ONE good thing about President Bush.

[legman]

What makes you think you will win anyone over to your side of the issues with a confrontational and condescending tone? Is your goal to win an argument or persuade people? Just curious. I approach these discussions with an open mind and a willingness to learn.

Also out of curiosity, who did you vote for?

[The Old Hoosier]

Well, the scary thing is that I'm one of the most my-way-or-the-highway-type people I know of! There are a lot of elements in the Bush White House--some good, some bad. I honestly think that Rove is one of the ones more on our side.

[My2Cents]

I agree. I think the biggest danger is that we'll end up with another Clinton in the White House, and Bush's faith-based efforts will be used to funnel federal money to the Jesse Jacksons of the world.

[RAT Patrol]

What are we going to do with you, poet? Anyway, let me just say that I am glad you argue these issues. However, it might be helpful to look for positives, check out the motives beneath the actions (not exactly an excuse, but it gives hope), and find ways to turn your complaints into persuasive action. We won't win the battle if we give up OR if we become so frustrated we lose our powers of persuasion.

There is always hope. I disagree with you on the fast/slow issue, though. Slow gives you more time to make your case.

[poet]

8>)

FReegards

[RAT Patrol]

VMI70, I share many of your frustrations on all of this...but we have no better alternative as far as I can see. I'm sticking with Bush -- who I believe has a good heart even though I've felt betrayed by him at times, yada yada -- for the greater good. As Thomas Sowell likes to say: "You cannot really judge how well a person plays the game unless you know the hand they were dealt." (paraphrase) We are a VERY divided country (thanks to eight long years of the great Divider, Bill Clinton) and winning on ANY issue is a balancing act. It's sad, but none the less true.

That doesn't mean I will just praise Bush blindly. He will get all the criticism he deserves from me. I will never let my silence be the reason our side loses. But, I'll support him when he needs it (until something better comes along), and I'll try to focus on future battles rather than past defeats.

Make sense?

[legman]

Well said.

[afuturegovernor]

I think Schundler was a good conservative, just not a good candidate. I don't think someone can be considered a "good candidate" and lose an election by the margin he did. If he runs again I hope he does better and wins.

[axel f]

Makes sense to me.

Bush may not be perfect, but neither was Reagan, and I think our country--if not the world--is better off for having had him as president. I plan to stick with Bush unless he doesn't something unforgiveable, such as...oh, I don't know...having an intern under the desk, selling secrets to communists, perjury, drafting phony documents used to defraud federal investigators...oh, I could go on and on.

Doesn't mean we can't criticize him from time to time though when it's warranted.

[axel f]

I plan to stick with Bush unless he doesn't something unforgiveable,

How about we change "doesn't" to "does." I really need to proofread my replies.

[RAT Patrol]

Exactly, axel. Well said. I agree 100%.

[VMI70]

It absolutely makes sense, and as I said a million times before, if nothing else, he and the First Lady have brought dignity back to the White House and to the country, which we sorely needed.
It just makes me go ballistic and think dark thoughts about him, when he pulls assinine, not to mantion very expensive, stunts like these. It's just more politics as usual which I had hoped would change. I expected better.

[RAT Patrol]

Been there, done that on the ballistic thing myself. LOL

[axel f]

Which part do you agree with, what I said about Bush or that I need to proofread my posts?

[Con X-Poser]

<< If you haven't read the "patriot law, I suggest you do so ... >>

Why should anyone read the PATRIOT (gag!) law when it was voted into law before it was even completely written? The Congresspersons who voted on it hadn't read it yet, why should we? Just close your eyes (and minds) and trust Comrade Bush!

Has anyone stopped to think (what am I asking?!) that, even if Bush really was a Constitutional patriot (cough!) all this authority (fast track, line-item, war on terror) we are giving him will pass on to President Hillary in 2008?

[MEGoody]

I'm curious - what freedoms have you personally lost?