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Worrying About "W"
CFP ^ | April 26, 2005 | Alan Caruba

Posted on 04/26/2005 11:12:30 AM PDT by MikeEdwards

A lot of thoughtful conservatives are having serious second thoughts about George W. Bush. His failure to act upon core values of fiscal conservatism and sovereignty is a growing concern.

Donations to conservative organizations and think tanks are in sharp decline. A lot of conservatives have decided to stop giving financial support because they are losing faith in the ability of these groups to have any effect on administration policies.

Bush has an engaging personality, but he’s not running for office anymore. He is already a very lame duck.

In concert with Republican party leaders in Congress, the White House has been unable to get its judicial appointments approved and the fight over John Bolton’s appointment as UN ambassador suggests the party lacks unity on Capitol Hill. Bolton has been confirmed four times for previous positions. Unless the GOP can unite to overcome the obstructionism of the Democrats, it bodes ill for the party.

If conservatives stay home for the 2006 elections, power can shift to the Democrats.

People are increasingly worried about the huge budget deficit created by a President and a Congress that have been on a spending binge. The national debt has increased by $2.16 billion every day since September 30, 2004. It is now a cliché that Bush has not vetoed a single spending bill while in office. New "entitlements" added to Medicare for prescriptions will add still more to the rising tide of national debt. It is not "if" the economy will reach a tipping point this accumulated debt cannot be paid, but when.

Compounding fears is the appearance of an increasingly shaky economy that includes rising inflation and major corporations like General Motors in trouble. Wall Street is experiencing early tremors that forecast a bear market. . . . .

(Excerpt) Read more at canadafreepress.com ...


TOPICS: Government
KEYWORDS: bush43; caruba; conservative; conservativism; debt; deficit; fiscal; rinos; term2
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To: MikeEdwards

The Republican leadership has managed to alienate both of its wings - a remarkable feat considering the majorities they won across the board a couple of months ago.

On this thread so far I've seen conservatives angry about immigration, and conservatives angry about spending policies. These issues are important, but they were never the reason my wing voted for the Republicans for all these 30 years.

Pro-lifers have been unified on just one thing: protecting life. We understood long ago that this meant getting Republican majorities to change the composition of the courts, and for pro-life judges to reverse Roe v. Wade.

That's always been the strategy, and come last November, we were crowned with success.

And that very DAY, Arlen Specter - new head of the Senate Judiciary Committee - stood up and warned the President not to press a "radical" slate of judges who would overturn Roe.

The Republican Party ignored the howls of pro-lifers.
So the pro-lifers took a "wait and see" attitude when Specter was installed.

Well, in just the past three weeks we saw the Republican party fail spectacularly and catastrophically on life issues. First there was the Terri Schiavo debacle, in which the Bush boys themselves and Congress and the Republican-controlled courts (Greer: Republican; Justice Kennedy: Republican) all washed their hands of the matter and killed her. And then Frist waffled and thus far has failed to pass the nuclear option, despite there being 55 Senators.

Pro-lifers are not very calculating souls. Most are devout Christians and not very political. They're not going to change parties. What they will do is stay home. And with them gone, the Republican majority will collapse.

At this point, all the Republicans can do is pass the nuclear option. That would stanch the bleeding. They have lost trust, but not all of it. If they don't, they are doomed in 2006 and for a long time thereafter. If the pro-lifers leave, many of them will turn back to their private lives and faith and not enter worldly politics again.

Republicans are blowing it, and it starts with the failure of both Bushes in the Schiavo case. They showed weakness, and became lame ducks the instant they did.

It's too bad.
But it is what it is.


41 posted on 04/26/2005 11:42:56 AM PDT by Vicomte13 (Et alors?)
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To: MikeEdwards

I'm more worried about him holding hands with the sheik of Araby!


42 posted on 04/26/2005 11:44:53 AM PDT by Republicus2001 (C)
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To: MikeEdwards

Gee, the least you thoughtful conservatives could have done was let me know we were having second thoughts. I've missed the wishy washy conservative moderate train I guess.

I have NO second thoughts about the President. The Majority of Conservatives do not have second thoughts about the President. The majority voted FOR him, the Majority are grateful it is he in that office. Everyone knew where he stood on all issues, we knew there were be periods we agreed and periods we disagreed. That is life. Want soemone you agree with 100%, run for office.


43 posted on 04/26/2005 11:45:31 AM PDT by Soul Seeker
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To: newsgatherer
Funny you bring this up, I had only a few days ago told the Republican Party of Maine that I would not be donating anymore

Some guy from the "National Anxiety Center" writes a piece on conservatives "abandoning" the GOP in a Canuck newspaper, and some people fall all over themselves agreeing with the article based on no evidence at all except an (obviously) biased "journalist's" statements, and their own pseudo-empirical evidence. You should be working for "60 Minutes". This story is of a piece with the "Air America is succeeding...No, it's not...Yes it is..." stories.

44 posted on 04/26/2005 11:51:16 AM PDT by pawdoggie
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To: DesertSapper
My monetary support has ended for the Republican Party until they demonstrate the desire and backbone to address fiscal irresponsibility - much of which is their own - and illegal immigration.

As has mine. If the GOP doesn't grow a pair, and start acting like the majority it is, then they WILL be turned out of office. Not because Republican voters will turn Socialist/Traitor, but we will just STAY HOME.

I know that House and Senate staffers post and lurk here, as well as a few office holders, and the REpublicans had best terminate their cranial-rectal inversions (look it up), and START FIGHTING or they WILL LOSE IN 2006!

45 posted on 04/26/2005 11:52:20 AM PDT by Bombardier (Rename the Senate Foreign Relations Committee the "Dick Lugar National RINO Preserve")
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To: slowhand520; CAluvdubya; Lazamataz

See my #26.

Laz, you're no spring chicken, so you probably remember Reagan before he became Ronaldus Maximus.

Not to take away from your non-opus opus, or to diminish the importance of the points you make, but it helps to maintain some perspective. And, yes, we still have to hold their feet to the fire.


46 posted on 04/26/2005 11:55:54 AM PDT by Larry Lucido
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To: slowhand520

As a conservative Reagan Democrat, I would consider someone like Richardson of New Mexico in `08. He just made a tough decision re illegal alien control and that's a lot more than the current administration has done ("vigilantes").

First, take someone/thing for granted; next, say 'goodbye.'
Ironic, isn't it--reformed Democrats taking the Republican party to task for being too "liberal"?
But for now there are way too many Clintons, Gores and other lefty loonies over there for me. And Bush has only had four months, so like Horton the elephant, to Dubya I'm loyal 100%.
But as Zell Miller put it, I didn't leave that party--it left me.


47 posted on 04/26/2005 11:56:02 AM PDT by tumblindice (A party is only a means to an end.)
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To: MikeEdwards
Donations to conservative organizations and think tanks are in sharp decline. A lot of conservatives have decided to stop giving financial support because they are losing faith in the ability of these groups to have any effect on administration policies.

Yep, that describes me. As I responded to Ken Mehlman's latest solitication:

Hi Ken,

I can't believe you sent this while I'm reading that Stoneless Frist is negiotating with the DemocRATS. Hypocrite? Talk to Frist.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1391058/posts
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1391054/posts

Are we the majority or not?

Mitch McConnell said Sunday we have the votes.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1390409/posts.

VP Cheney has said he'll gladly break a tie.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1384952/posts
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1389219/posts
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1384952/posts

What more do we need? Why can't we "git-er-done?"

We need to get a pair, grow up and like the MAJORITY we are! I guarantee you if the situation were reversed the DemocRATS would be beating us up so bad our mothers wouldn't recognize us. I truly dislike the DemocRATS and all they stand for. But they got STONES!

upchuck
Aiken, SC

PS - 1. Judges
2. Bolton
3. Criminal aliens
4. Social Security

Four issues that MUST be resolved to our benefit. If not, 2006 and 2008 are gonna be total disasters for us.


48 posted on 04/26/2005 11:56:44 AM PDT by upchuck ("If our nation be destroyed, it would be from the judiciary." ~ Thomas Jefferson)
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To: MikeEdwards
that piece absolutely spot on imo.

i know it is treasonous, but i am either sitting out 2006 or voting straight libertarian (which means sitting out).

probably the same in 2008 the way things are advancing presently.

we are up to our eyeballs in illegals working for half wages, in the meantime our taxes, fees, fines and penalties are going up (only for the legals). our hospitals and municipalities are going bankrupt, and we are paying $2.25 a gallon for gas to get to the jobs that we no longer have because they left for china or mexico.

in my town there is one empty (for 3 years now) osram facility that went to mexico, and a second closing operations in a year (800 more layoffs). also our hunt memorial hospital, long since bankrupt and currently (imo)the most expensive sparrow nesting site in north america.

it will be worse when the dems regain control, but likely the total collapse they will inevitably cause (i'm from massachusetts, i've seen it before) will bring about a new generation of real leaders.

if not, we all will have to learn to become landscapers and chimney sweeps for trial lawyers, college professors and other "government" employees. massachusetts been there too... that was the "massachusetts miracle".

at present i would not give the gop the steam off of my urine never mind a vote or donation.

above is my donation to the gop.
49 posted on 04/26/2005 12:00:02 PM PDT by mmercier
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To: MikeEdwards

Dubya's got one important thing going for him: he has been very successful at not being John Kerry.


50 posted on 04/26/2005 12:01:14 PM PDT by Petronski (Pope Benedict XVI: A German Shepherd on the Throne of Peter)
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To: Vicomte13

Way to "go wobbly" when the going gets tough. Congrats, you posted the wobbliest yet. (Mrs. Thacher would not admire you or your type.)


51 posted on 04/26/2005 12:02:43 PM PDT by Husker8877
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To: superiorslots; All

"That being said Bush neds to secure the borders, stop his out of control spending and get both deficits in control.

He better stop making the WOT his prime area and focus on jobs, healthcare etc.

Many Reagan democrats are going to leave the ship if he does not."



I find it interesting that you claim to be a 'Reagan Democrat' and yet you complain about GWB's deficit (Reagan's deficit still ranks as the HIGHEST IN HISTORY as % of GDP) and GWB's approach to immigration (Reagan is the President who actually granted amnesty to illegal immigrants)!

BTW: MANY posters here in Freeperland use Reagan as a benchmark for evaluating the presidency of George W Bush. Perhaps Freepers should first LEARN THE HISTORY so that they can provide an ACCURATE evaluation/comparison!!

AND BY ALL MEANS, PRESIDENT BUSH SHOULD STOP FOCUSSING ON THE WOT <sarcasm off!


52 posted on 04/26/2005 12:07:08 PM PDT by DrDeb
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To: superiorslots

Just to clear up the record a little bit, when Bill Clinton left office (thanks to the Republican Congress) there was no budget deficit. There was a modest surplus. There was accumulated debt from the prior years of course, and there has been a long ongoing trade deficit.

The deficit we're experiencing now is because we just finished going through a downturn in the economy, and to a certain extent because of the war, neither of which are going to be permanent.


53 posted on 04/26/2005 12:21:10 PM PDT by mhx
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To: Husker8877

Go wobbly?

No sir.
Mssrs. Bush went wobbly on the life issue.

They both stood forth and made it crystal clear they understood what was at stake. They had the power. They were afraid to use it to save her life.

Likewise, the Republican judges, Greer, Kennedy, the majority of the Federal judiciary: they went wobbly.

Likewise the Senate when it comes to the Nuclear Option to install strict constructionist judges who will stop the madness. They are going wobbly before our eyes.

I am standing here like a stone wall, exactly where I stood last year, the year before, ten years ago, twenty years ago. If I am standing here, I damned well expect the people I elected and supported and contributed to to stand here with me. They went wobbly. I did not.

Now, perhaps you think that loyalty to party is more important than principle. THAT is wobbly. Loyalty to party when the party was supporting the principle, yes. But if the party has not abandoned its principles, it certainly has gone wobbly in the face of fierce opposition from the other side. I wasn't the one throwing bricks at the Bushes for standing by Terri Schiavo's right to life, or throwing bricks at the Republican Senators for advocating strict constructionist judges.

I have stood firm.
THEY have gone wobbly and run away. But there is no excuse when you control the House, and the Senate by a 10% margin, have 60% of the judges, and the White House, and all of the important governorships, and the majority of state houses.
They've got no excuse.
They either have gone wobbly, or they are not really very pro-life.
If the former, the fear of defeat may focus their minds.
If the latter, they deceived me to get my vote in the first place, but now that they have power to act and won't, the jig is up.
Either pass the pro-life agenda or lose the pro-lifers.
The pro-lifers are not wobbly. They are consistent. The GOP has suddenly become inconsistent, and that ain't gonna play in Peoria.


54 posted on 04/26/2005 12:30:05 PM PDT by Vicomte13 (Et alors?)
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To: Vicomte13

The problem is the SENATE (and always has been).
And of the Schiavo case...you morons in Fla who reelected Pontious Greer are the reason why she died...impeach him and/or vote him out!


55 posted on 04/26/2005 12:37:37 PM PDT by kaktuskid
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To: rip033
I have a feeling that in the next six months were all going to see a more aggressive and productive GOP.

Rush has been hammering on this issue quite a bit lately. He's talked a lot about how the Republicans still can't seem to realize that they are in control.

And if we don't see a more aggressive and productive GOP, we'll probably see a lot less of them in office starting after the mid-terms.

56 posted on 04/26/2005 12:42:34 PM PDT by cowboyway (My heroes have always been cowboys.)
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To: Vicomte13

Your WOBBLING is giving the libs exactly what they want and need. The Clintonites are setting a trap for you and others who expect absolute perfection.

It worked for them in their evil 1992 rise to power, and they will use it this time, count on it!

They'll be tapping the next Ross Perot very soon....and you will probably wobble on over to him/her because dadgummit GWB is too weak! Wahhhh!!!!


57 posted on 04/26/2005 5:24:06 PM PDT by Husker8877
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To: Husker8877

I am not wobbling.

Folks like you think that the Republicans are entitled to votes from people who have supported them in the past.

The Republicans are entitled to nothing other than rewards for services rendered. They were rewarded with the votes of people like me because of positions they asserted, and which we expected them to execute.

They are in power, and they refuse to execute.
That is wobbling, on their part.

Folks like me stand where we stood before: in a certain place on certain issues. For Republicans to deserve our votes, they have to be with us on those issues. If they won't use their powers to advance our agenda, they are not really on our side, and we aren't going to favor them with our money, efforts and vote anymore.

It is a simple as that: quid pro quo.
We gave the quid. They have withheld the quo and are backing away from ever doing it.

Not going to fly with folks like me.

If the Republicans want to leave us behind, they can do so, right into the political minority.

Oh, and then your taxes will go up.
That's the price for not doing what you were elected to do.
Waaaah indeed.


58 posted on 04/27/2005 11:13:28 AM PDT by Vicomte13 (Et alors?)
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To: MikeEdwards
If conservatives stay home for the 2006 elections, power can shift to the Democrats.

liberals still haven't learned that you can't make something true by wishful thinking.
59 posted on 04/27/2005 11:16:49 AM PDT by uncitizen
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To: Vicomte13

You proved my point with certainty--couldn't have done it better myself.

Paging Ross Perot....... Paging Ross Perot........


60 posted on 04/27/2005 3:50:52 PM PDT by Husker8877
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