I’ve been attempting to make a clearer distinction between RINO and Statist. GWB always exhibited elements of Statism, from compassionate conservatism of a variety unlike what the Doc meant when he began using the term, to his signing of McCain-Feingold, to his placing self-funding charities onto the Fed teet and making them dependent on not crossing those in power. All that was in his first term. He was better than Gore and Kerry only in that both those jerks were openly collectivist.
You know, I don’t recall the Doc ever using the word Statist, or ever attempting to make it clear that a Statist could easily feel at home in a party with the name Republican. The clue in to be found in what sort of republic said publican favors. Some form of Platonic republic (run by elites and thus craving bigger govt with them in power) or our American constitutional republic most of us at FR are attempting to defend and preserve.
I’ve heard it said that GWB once referred to the Constitution as “merely a piece of paper.” If that is so, he is no simple RINO. He would be very much a republican, just not a constitutional one. Statists easily look very much like conservatives, and with our lack of good media, it’s far easier for Statists to constantly keep their mask on.
Or maybe like DeGaulle.
“L’etat est moi” or something like that.