Bush circles the wagons as approval ratings slip

The Washington Times ^ | June 3, 2006 | Joseph Curl

[namvet66]

With just five months to go before the midterm elections, President Bush, whose once-faithful base has abandoned him in droves, is turning to the same conservative hot-button issues that won him re-election in 2004 -- homosexual "marriage" and judicial nominees. The president, now fully aware that his plummeting approval ratings could cost the Republicans control of one or both congressional chambers in November, will use his radio address today and a speech Monday to push a constitutional amendment banning same-sex "marriage," just as the Senate prepares to vote on the issue. The crux of his argument is simple: A majority of Americans support the idea that marriage is exclusively between a man and a woman, and activist judges across the country are thwarting the will of the people.

[namvet66]

I know, I know, I am going to get "hammered" (again) for bashing W and contributing to the DIM's and MSM's effort to drive a wedge between us Conservatives and PUBS (their IS a difference, you know), but what the hey, as I'm not a wishy-washy moderate and don't countenance to let's just "all get along" or we have to give a little to get a little, here goes.

" The crux of his argument is simple: A majority of Americans support the idea that marriage is exclusively between a man and a woman, and activist judges across the country are thwarting the will of the people."

Absolute correct, Mr. President and this is a very important issue and one we Conservatives support and commend you for.

However, what about a much more pressing--and a much more vital to our security, if not the survival of our nation as we know it--issue, and that being of securing our borders? NOW!

With all due respect, Mr. President (and you too Mr. Guru, Rove) if you want to grab onto an issue which would send your approval ratings "SOARING" (in a New York minute) all you would have to do is to all of a sudden have an epiphany and explain to the public that you are going to support the House Bill and (seriously) work towards "sealing" our borders and plan on doing so before the end of the year--regardless of the cost and regardless of the consequences (most notably, your friendship with El Presidente Fox).

Of course we Conservatives want (and expect) you to nominate more conservative judicial nominees

"Democrats will make a huge mistake if they're too partisan and refuse to give us a hearing on the nominees. So it's not even the vote that matters, it's what Democrats do when the nominations come in," the former official said."

"If Democrats move to squelch the nominations, the president plans to hammer home the split on core values between the two parties in an attempt to woo back his base."

You know what? I believe you are on the right track here, Mr. President and this "strategy" (one of putting the onus squarely where it belongs--with the obstructionists and liberal opposition) is brilliant.

Of course, Mr. President, will you (and your spokespersons) "hammer" Republican Liberals/Moderates RINOS(you know, McCain, Chafee, Shay, et al) who will oppose you as well?

And, Mr. President, if this "strategy" you intend to employ is one which you believe is going to be advantageous and help improve you favor ability among your base (and I believe it will) WHY NOT utilize it in the immigration issue, or, perhaps, we are not misguied or in error, when myself and many others "suggest" that you are NOT sincere when you speak of "securing" the borders and could care less about the dire consequences this Nation will suffer as a result of the Senate Bill which you so wholeheartedly endorse and support?

Finally, while we Conservatives are extremely disappointed in so many areas and issues you have supported (or conversely not supported);and while many of us are criticize and condemn, we have NOT forsaken you or the Republican Party—which unfortunately, is the ONLY viable political party which closely reflects our views.

The question remains: Have you, Mr. President, forsaken not only your “base,” but the rest of the Conservative Americans who supported and voted for you?

[SmoothTalker]

I agree with you 100%. Gay marriage is an important issue, but it is not anywhere near the paramount issue for me. To gain back my approval and the approval of people like me the President has to change his stance on the borders and stop pushing one of the most destructive pieces of legislation this country has ever seen. Then he needs to do start to attack the out of control spending that we've seen under his administration. I'm sick of seeing him push new entitlements and government programs as the solution to almost everything and i'd love to see him wield that veto pen.

[Gay State Conservative]

Mr President....drop that foolish amnesty plan of yours and your approval rating rises by 10 points.

At least.

Overnight.

[Lexington Green]

Bush must get tough on medical marijuana - big raids on cancer wards - perpwalks for paraplegics - yeah, that'll help his plunging approval polls.

[tomnbeverly]

Blah Blah... Sorry but the bigger issues are in play.. I for one give him the benefit of the doubt and so will history.... If the House and Senate do not provide the right legislation to deal with the illegals then maybe they should lose.. in the mean time I am 100 percent behind this President who by the way remains a true U.S. hero as history will judge...

[digger48]

When asked in 2004, what were the 3 main issues I had in the Presidential election, my answer was, and still is....Judges, judges, and judges.

Not to diminish any of the other issues, how many people were voting for "immigration reform" in 2004?????

[KTM rider]

Throw me a bone here , how about the borders, immigration, and taxandspend,

we know the gay agenda msinly wants attention why give it to them, ignore the narcissistic activists

[Sender]

It's simply the wrong time for this sort of thing. With our gaping, wide open borders, pressure for amnesty, Iran about to go berserk, rampant corruption and spending, who cares about gay marriage right now? I mean really? This is something I agree with but it's not even on the radar right now.

[verity]

I hope that was cathartic for you.

[FreedomNeocon]

This is a BS story... watched the Press Corps freak over this asking Tony it over and over and over and over on Friday.

There is a vote coming up on this, so he talked about it in the weekly address.

Of course the MSM plays this as "pandering to his base" knowing that he isn't, but also knowing it won't earn him many points.

The typical fair weather FReepers come out to say "that al fine and good, but not good enough"

Can't say I'm surprised.

[Lexington Green]

the right legislation to deal with the illegals ????

We have laws. Bush does not enforce them. And now he wants more legislation - more laws that he won't enforce. This ain't nuthin' but dogs and ponies.

[giobruno]

Agree, it is a isuue that is waaaaay down the list. Borders, spending, and Iraq/Iran. The rest can wait.

[FreedomNeocon]

Some of our are so pathetically easy to MANIPULATE.

[namvet66]

It was. Was it "good for you too?" LOL

[COEXERJ145]

The unappeasables will never be happy. Nothing the President does will ever be good enough for them.

No matter the topic, they have to start their Bush bashing and thread hijacking.

[ghostrider]

Here they go again. They are so predictable, that even the alley drunks are catching on. The Republicans and Democrats are controlled by the same contributors and and do what they are told. They let us argue over religion, the English language and Homosexuals, but the money issues are theirs - even when they are selling out the country.

[verity]

FR is less expensive than a confessional or a couch and just as effective.

[AntiGuv]

The Kavanaugh confirmation suggests that this year the Democrats don't intend to mount anything more than token opposition to judicial nominees.

[FreedomNeocon]

It just saddens me to see how easily so many on our side get played like a fiddle.

[COEXERJ145]

The truth is, many of "our side" are really the opposition. Either they're liberals pretending to be conservatives or they're groups like the old Pat Buchanan Brigades that have been out to destroy the GOP since 1996.