[Choose Ye This Day]

"Conservatism cannot survive on tax cuts alone."

I love W, but Laura is right. He needs to stand up for what made this country great, and loudly fight those who are trying to water down, erode, or p*ss away our greatness--indeed, our goodness.

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[Choose Ye This Day]

Laura Ingraham PING

[kesg]

I also fully agree with Laura. Bush looks strong now, but there are many reasons to think that lots can change for the worse in the next sixteen months. Laura covers many of these reasons.

[Ahban]

His answer to this is a perfect example of why the Constitution Party is getting so much buzz around here lately.

Conservatives have nothing to lose. If Al Gore had tried to expand the federal government this much then at least the GOP congress would try to stop him. Since a Republican is expanding government it is A-OK with them.

[Kryptonite]

I think April 7, 2003 should be July 7, 2003, but other than that, this article is spot on in all respects. W should be grateful that Ingraham is around to provide him with counsel.

[MHT]

There are two numbers that the Bush campaign is concerned about--and, unlike Bush 41, they are not interest rates or unemployment. They are focused on the approval number and the Dow Jones. The latest tax legislation has produced a rebound in the market and that can foretell an improving economy six months later. The Democrats' field of candidates is a peculiar mix of egotists (Can you really imagine a debate between Bush and Dean if the latter cannot even get through a friendly interview with Russert without messing up?). Some of her main concerns or premises might not be so critical tomorrow.

W. Bush has done something that his father failed to do--he HAS kept in touch with the average citizen. He is out and about making personal appearances before large groups almost daily. Bush is becoming the first President that these citizens have seen in real life--and they are not going to forget the experience. He mentions people's names, talks about their programs, etc. He has shown the magic touch in bringing the White House to the people, which his father never did. The father appeared to be a detached elitest. This guy is closer to a country music star.

Also, unlike his father, he's a delegator and he's going to let the Senate (i.e., Frist) do the deed and get a constitutional amendment passed regarding marriage. He's said upfront that gays can have whatever relationship they want--just don't call it marriage. More will happen yet on the affirmative action quota cases so the jury is still out on the impact of those decisions.

What is critical is for conservatives to realize that one of the greatest and most lasting legacies of a conservative presidency is a judicial system bursting with conservative judges who will not legislate from the bench, except for reversing prior crazy liberal rulings. It is more important than ever that they continue to support Bush and get more Republicans in the Senate.

W. might not be perfect--but given any alternative, he's the absolute best leader we've had in a couple of decades.

[PGalt]

Terrific President. Outstanding Administration. The republic has rarely seen better.

[Duramaximus]

"For weeks, conservatives from across the country have been filling the email box of my radio show with doubts about where this Administration is taking us."

One large, resounding Laura Ingraham PING.

Laura isn't alone in this, I have been having the same doubts.

I voted for GWB, and unless a better candidate comes around I will hold my nose and vote for him again.

Ignoring the un-checked hordes of illegal aliens streaming across our borders, a willingness to sign-off on an extension of the AWB, and his supposed contemplation of sending troops to Liberia, give me cause for concern.

George needs to wake up and read Free Republic, the troops are restless.

[thegreatbeast]

Nobody anywhere or at anytime is unbeatable.
Clinton was the worse of scoundrels but he knew well enough the truth behind "It's the economy, stupid!" First things being first, voters have to possess their creature comforts or there is going to be a change.

Here's real wisdom too:'In the words of one fed-up stay-at-home mom in Kansas: "What's the point of doing the grassroots work for conservative candidates if this is what we're getting?"'
What does it mean when WJC can't enact prescription coverage but Bush does? What does it mean when the cost of government is still climbing but simply distributed differently? As the lady asks, How do you get excited about that?

[staytrue]

If there are enough tax cuts, govt. will be forced to get smaller and that is good enough for me.

[Consort]

Bush Not Invincible

We all know that.

[goldstategop]

Agreed. If President Bush attempts to run from the Left, he shouldn't be surprised to find conservatives sitting out the next election. Our support shouldn't be taken for granted. There IS trouble in River City and the President had better get back on the ball.

[Tall_Texan]

From a practical political standpoint, Laura is wrong regarding the recent SCOTUS decisions. Bush has not chosen even one Justice yet so he can't be blamed for court decisions. And if she expects Bush to trot out the red meat now, why should he do that 16 months before the election?

If I were Bush, I'd deflect the decisions and focus the issue on getting his own nominees passed and ask again why are his nominees being held hostage by a minority of the Senate. Then, as the elections get closer, use those court decisions to spell out home important it is for him to be choosing judges, not Howard Deam or John Kerry.

There's no reason to shoot the political wad now when it will be forgotten by the time votes are cast. Laura wants Bush to draw a line in the sand but they have the potential of alienating as many voters as it energizes if he goes about it the wrong way. If he's going to say what's politically unpopular, he ought to say it now. If he's going to say what most Americans support, he'll save it for next year when he'll get more political mileage from it.

[isom35]

no pics of laura yet?

[Libertina]

The conservative issues pushed by President Bush, I LOVE. But the liberal garbage... well, I don't just disike it, I HATE it. And they were big ones. Campaign "reform", prescription medicine for ALL, Supreme Court debacle, no action on illegal aliens which menas illegal voters. Good grief, if my precious vote is cancelled by the illegals (as I believe it was in WA) why go to the polls at all? So, Mr. President, please get back on track. Stop the spending. Be a conservative.

[PhilDragoo]

I've got her The Hillary Trap, but Hell to Pay by Barbara Olson remains the definitive Hitlery tome.

Hitlery would like Bush to be defeated.

[Southack]

Presidency of George W. Bush --the first 30 months
Killed the Kyoto Global Warming Treaty.

Killed U.S. involvement in the International Criminal Court.

Killed the U.S. - CCCP ABM Treaty that was preventing the U.S. from deploying our ABM defenses.

Reversed Clinton's move to strike Reagan's anti-abortion Mexico Policy.

Killed Clinton's CO2 rules that were choking off all of the electricity surplus to California.

Killed Clinton's "ergonomic" rules that OSHA was about to implement; rules that would have shut down every home business in America.

Passed 2 tax cuts----1 of which was the largest tax-Dollar value tax cut in history

Pushed through TWO raises for our military.

Increased Defense Dept funding which had deteriorated during the previous 8 years

Signed TWO bills into law that arm our pilots with handguns in the cockpit

Currently pushing for full immunity from lawsuits for our national gun manufacturers.

Ordered Attorney-General Ashcroft to formally notify the Supreme Court that the OFFICIAL U.S. government position on the 2nd Amendment is that it supports INDIVIDUAL rights to own firearms, NOT a leftist-imagined "collective" right.

Successfully executed 2 wars: Afghanistan and Iraq. 50 million people who had lived under tyrannical regimes now live in freedom.

Changed the tone in the White House, restoring HONOR and DIGNITY to the Presidency

Reorganized bureaucracy...after 9/11, condensed 20+ overlapping agencies and their intelligence sectors into one agency: the Department of Homeland Security.

Initiated discussion on Social security and individual investment accounts.

Improving govt. efficiency with .8 million jobs put up for bid...weakening unions and cutting undeserved pay raises. Wants merit based promotions/raises only.

Executed a WAR ON TERROR by getting world-wide cooperation to track funds/terrorists (has cut off much of the terrorist's funding and captured or killed many key leaders of the al Qaeda network)

Stopped foreign aid that would be used to fund abortions.

Supported and upheld the ban on abortions at military hospitals

Signed E.O. reversing Clinton policy of not requiring parental consent under the Medical Privacy Act

Told the United Nations we weren't interested in their plans for gun control.

Set to sign Partial Birth Abortion Ban

Orchestrated Republican control of the White House, the House AND the Senate.

Killed the liberal ABA's role in vetting federal judges for Congress.

GWB signed an executive order enforcing the Supreme Court's Beck decision (re: union dues being used for political campaigns against individual's wishes)

Brought back our EP-3 intel plane and crew from China without any bribes or bloodshed

Started withdrawing our troops from Bosnia and has announced withdrawal of our troops from Germany and the Korean DMZ.

Signed the LARGEST nuclear arms reduction in world history with Russia

Initiated comprehensive review of our military, which was completed just prior to 9/11/01, accurately reported that ASYMMETRICAL WARFARE was critical.

Has CONSTRUCTION in process on the first ten ABM silos in Alaska, so that America will have a defense against North Korean nukes

Turning around an inherited economy in recession.

Passed tough new laws to hold corporate criminals to account as a result of corporate scandals.

Reduced taxes on dividends and capital gains

In process of eliminating IRS marriage penalty.

Increased small business incentives to expand and to hire new people

Signed into law the CFR legislation (under dark of night)

Signed into law the No Child Left Behind legislation delivering the most dramatic education reforms in a generation (challenging the soft bigotry of low expectations)

Reorganized the INS in an attempt to safeguard the borders and ports of America and to eliminate bureaucratic redundancies and lack of accountability.

Signed trade promotion authority

Committed US funds to purchase medicine for millions of men and women and children now suffering with AIDS in Africa

Urging Medicare Reform

Urging federal liability reform to eliminate frivolous lawsuits

Supports class action reform bill which limits lawyer fees so that more settlement money goes to victims

Submitted comprehensive energy plan--awaits Congressional action. ( works to develop cleaner technology, produce more natural gas here at home, make America less dependent on foreign sources of energy)

Endorses and promotes The Responsibility Era ("In a compassionate society, people respect one another and take responsibility for the decisions they make in life. My hope is to change the culture from one that has said, if it feels good, do it; if you've got a problem, blame somebody else -- to one in which every single American understands that he or she are responsible for the decisions that you make; you're responsible for loving your children with all your heart and all your soul; you're responsible for being involved with the quality of the education of your children; you're responsible for making sure the community in which you live is safe; you're responsible for loving your neighbor, just like you would like to be loved yourself. " -----this quote was too good to leave out)

Started the USA Freedom Corps

Pushing for passage of Prescription Drug Benefit package for Seniors which will have 'means' testing

Pushing for privatization of Medicare and CHOICES based on current Federal Employee Health benefits program.

Initiated review of all federal agencies with a goal to eliminate federal jobs (review to be done by September 2003) in an effort to reduce the size of federal gov while increasing private sector jobs.

Part of coalition (Russia, Israel, Palestine, USA) for Israeli/Palestinian "Roadmap to Peace"

Challenged the United Nations to live up to their responsibilities and not become The League of Nations ( in other words, completely irrelevant)

Nominated strong, conservative judges to the judiciary.

Changed parts of the Forestry Management Act to allow necessary clean-up of the national forests in order to reduce fire danger.

As part of the national forests clean-up, the President restricted judicial challenges (based on the Endangered Species Act and other challenges) and removed the need for an EIS (Enivironmental Impact Statement) before removing fuels/logging to reduce fire danger.

Significantly eased field-testing controls of genetically engineered crops.

[185JHP]

IMO George the First lost enough votes with his nasty, sellout firearms import ban to cost him his reelection. The cynical "sell out a lot of your base to entice the squishball middle" calculus didn't work. Sadly W seems to be listening to some of his nastiest advisers a little too much.

[ChadGore]

[My2Cents]

I agree with you wholeheartedly. I think the Bush operatives (Rove, et al) are getting a bit cocky in their confidence. It shows the importance of having two viable parties with clearly distinct perspectives to put before the voters. I agree that the Dems are energized by Howard Dean, but the energy is largely hate and negativity, and no party has ever won on a message of hate and negativity. Because the Democrats are choking on their own bile, Bush should win in a walk. But the ease of his lead can produce complacency.

I would hope that Bush would use some of his political capital to talk to Americans about what is right with this country. I've started a book about Ronald Reagan called "The Politics of Freedom," and up front it demonstrates from a content analysis of Reagan's speeches that liberty and the principles of our founding were woven into the fabric of just about everything Reagan said. Bush needs to do the same thing. When I saw a man-on-the-street segment on Fox on July 4th asking people who wrote the Declaration of Independence, and people came up with such answers as, "Some guys in white wigs," "Abraham Lincoln," "George Washington," "John Hancock" (close, but no cigar), and "Tom Something...," there is a serious need to be educating our ignorant countrymen about the greatness of America. Bush likes to say, "Leave no child behind" when it comes to education. How about "Leave no citizen behind" when it comes to learning to appreciate this nation.