The Reagan-Bush Doctrine - Why W. must be reelected.

National Review ^ | February 23, 2004 | Mark R. Levin

[Mo1]

PING

[livius]

Excellent article.

To a great extent, I think that Bush really couldn't waste time "engaging" the Dems until now - for one thing, he had a war to fight (a real one, not just a political one). Secondly, the Dems didn't really have a single spokesperson until now, but were busy conducting their shadow warfare through the press. If a President wastes his time on this, he's going to have precious little left over for the business of governing.

I think that the time has probably arrived for the attack, but one thing I would really like to see is more defense of the President's policies from other Republicans. Why weren't the Republican Senators and Reps coming out and smacking down their lying, hateful "colleagues," and having press conferences every day to support the President.

One of the things about the Rats is that they often run away when challenged, since they know they are lying through their teeth on just about everything. But if nobody challenges them, they are strenghthened.

[MJY1288]

Great read, Thanks for posting it

[DoctorMichael]

Ding, ding, ding!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[firewalk]

Bttt

[MarkDel]

It's about time that we took the gloves off...where's the 21st Century version of Lee Atwater...we really need him.

[treeclimber]

Ever notice the Dems/Libs cannot win a debate on the issues. They have to resort to personal attacks and other scurrilous means to try to undermine their political opponents.

[barkingdog]

hear, hear, Dr Levin

[rrrod]

take the gloves off???naw... lets use clubs on the RATS!

[pawdoggie]

The President has always maintained that he had no problem with the Democrats making "political" attacks on him. What he failed to appreciate is that the "political" attacks were never just about Mr. Bush. The Democrats' attacks also diminished the accomplishments of our soldiers, questioned the operational and tactical decisions of our commanders in the field (remember the "quagmire" and "flak vest" controversies), and were clearly an attempt to demoralize our troops and drive a wedge between them and their Commander in Chief for partisan gain. Along with a lot of other bogus presumptions and "conventional wisdom", the "New Tone" should have gone with the wind post-9/11. During WW II, FDR would have chewed up and spat out the Republicans if they had behaved as disgracefully as the Democrats have behaved in the War on Terror.

[Moonman62]

To a great extent, I think that Bush really couldn't waste time "engaging" the Dems until now - for one thing, he had a war to fight (a real one, not just a political one).

But the "new tone in Washington" was a campaign promise, and it was GWB's philosophy as soon as he took office, nine months before 911. He used it as his umbrella under which he implemented his massive spending increases, with zero vetoes, just as he did in Texas. If foreign policy is his great success, the "new tone" has been an equal failure.

[marktuoni]

Isn't Bush best when expectations are lowered? Was the Meet the Press interview political gamesmanship revving the left up for their ultimate demise?

The Bush/Rove political strategies are either brilliant or inept. I happen to believe the former to be the case. The campaign is a long process.

[marron]

I am all for the president presenting his case to the public. As a practical matter, though, I don't think we should do anything to weaken Kerry until he has the nomination in the bag, and its too late for anyone else to come forward.

Kerry is too perfect an opponent, we don't want to mess this up for ourselves by shooting back too soon. Taking Kerry apart, and watching him implode, is going to be too much fun to miss. I want to be able to savor the moment.

[Luis Gonzalez]

"Call it preemption. Call it self-defense. Call it liberation."

Call it what it is, A Grand Strategy Of Transformation.

[Luis Gonzalez]

**PING**

[livius]

Being polite to Dems never pays off. They consider it weakness.

[livius]

Absolutely the truth. Probably the first creative idea to come out of the White House since - well, since Reagan.