And this:
Monday, June 30 2003
BUSH AND THE BASE: Last week provided somewhat of a measuring stick for President Bush among his conservative base.
Social conservatives agonized over Supreme Court rulings upholding affirmative action and striking down sodomy laws across the country and were disappointed when President Bush issued a statement "applauding" the former and making no public mention of the latter.
Meanwhile, fiscal conservatives fumed as they watched the Republican-led House and Senate pass a new $400 billion prescription drug entitlement last week at President Bush's urging. Donald Lambro details the growing anger among fiscal conservatives in the Washington Times this morning.
There have also been recent rumblings among pro-life groups who are adamantly opposed to President Bush's possible nomination of Al Gonzales to the Supreme Court.
So is President Bush in the process of alienating his base? Not according to this article in today's NY Times. Despite the disagreements many of the narrowly-focused constituencies on the right have with President Bush, there seems to be an overall appreciation of his character, integrity, and his unwavering commitment to U.S. national security. There also seems to be an understanding that Bush, like Reagan, is helping to facilitate a continued shift toward conservatism in U.S. public opinion:
Today, many conservatives say, American public opinion is shifting their way, so there is no reason to be impatient — or to pressure Mr. Bush into doing things before the election that might hurt him next year.
"The Republicans are looking at decades of dominance in the House and the Senate, and having the presidency with some regularity," Mr. Norquist said. "So if this year the tax cut isn't the one we wanted — no biggie. There's a sense that we can afford to wait."
This tolerance of Bush only runs so deep, of course, and if the economy doesn't enjoy a robust recovery the President can't afford to have conservative groups sitting on their hands next November.
Meanwhile, the upside for conservative groups in the coming election is bigger than ever: if the economy does spring back to life and conservatives come out en masse for the President, it could produce a landslide victory and an historic mandate for Bush and his conservative agenda. - T. Bevan 8:44am