[elpadre]

other than the prescription drug program,

wasn't the remainder mostly due to 9/11?

1. increased military spending - men, equipment, and material,
2. costs related to Iraq and Afghanistan training locals and reconstruction costs
3. Homeland Security - very large expenses involved, including the TSA - men and material

All unanticipated on his election day, but necessary for the survival of the nation.

[Wildbill22]

Ideological beliefs are the foundation that has been compromised in every way, and it is the McCain/Bush/Bush Big Gov Republicans that have “compromised” in order to claim like Rodney King, “can’t we just get along?”.

The honest conservative answer to that answer is “NO”.

[Zakeet]

other than the prescription drug program, wasn't the remainder mostly due to 9/11?

Absolutely Not!

Re-read the article for many other examples of wasteful Bush programs ... and then remember that Bush left his veto pen unsheathed for roughly two thirds of his administration.

Any way you slice it, the guy was a Rino dud. Admittedly better than Bonehead Gore and Lurch Kerry -- but in no way conservative.