GOP slams Bush policies at retreat

The Washington Times ^ | 2/6/04 | By Ralph Z. Hallow and James G. Lakely

[ovrtaxt]

Growing frustration over President Bush's immigration plan and lack of fiscal discipline came to a head behind closed doors at last weekend's Republican retreat in Philadelphia.

House lawmakers, stunned by the intensity of their constituents' displeasure at some of Mr. Bush's key domestic policies, gave his political strategist Karl Rove an earful behind closed doors.

[kristinn]

I remember Newt's failings well. For all that, he got welfare reform passed and signed in 1996. He also brought about successive balanced budgets.

I'm not calling for gridlock, even though domestically it does have the advantage of curbing excess. Congress and the President need to do that. It looks like it will happen somewhat this year. I wish them every bit of success in that effort and more.

And I hope President Bush's immigration proposal never sees the light of day in Congress.

[gatorbait]

A politician shoots himself when he hears the voice of the people and refuses to respond.

Tancredo did it when he shot his mouth off to the all too willing to pile on press. Great principled act that was .

[Nataku X]

Yep... do you vote for the guy who gives you a million dollars or do you vote for the guy who gives you 2 million dollars? No matter what Bush comes out with, the Dems will top it.

[Huck]

They write and pass the bills .. if they don't like it .. don't make the bill

Did it never occur to you that the people complaining may not be voting for the President's spending proposals, but they are passing anyway? The conservatives are a minority. It is perfectly appropriate for them to criticize the President, who gets the first and last word on all of it.

[Huck]

I am sure my congressman, Scott Garrett, was among those voicing dissatisfaction. And you can bet your ass I have been on the phone to his office. And to the president.

[.30Carbine]

Tancredo and the others who blab to the press

Another aspersion. You're not going to win people over with this stategery.

Alan Keyes recently "blabbed" to the press on Hannity and Colmes, but because you liked what he had to say (in that particular instance) you did not characterize it as "blabbing."

Tom Tancredo is doing his job, representing his constituents. That's not blabbing in my book, that's communicating.

[gatorbait]

And I hope President Bush's immigration proposal never sees the light of day in Congress.

We're in agreement.You do know tancredo's is no better,right? As far as all the wonderful things that tgridlock will bring us , well, it's a pipedream. You also know as wel las I do that the Dems will get a free pass if their President wanted to appoint Robespierre to the Courts and the Republicans in the Senate would be heavily smeared, It'd be great if the public could see all this as clearly as you do, but,they don't. I think it is morbidly stupid to want this kind of thing, I really do. I think publicity hungry Congressmen trashing their President is bald betrayal.Yes, I even thought that about Clinton and I loathe him.

Bottom line for me is simple,we have an election to win, that nothing we remotely desire will happen under a Democratic Presidential Regime. All we do is hold on in tha tcase.

[Huck]

Worth a repeat:

Congress? GW? Who cares, it all the same screwed up party. The Republicans have to decide whether they will return to conservatism, or become America's latest socialist party.

[.30Carbine]

...the all too willing to pile on press.

That aspersion does not reasonably apply to the Washington Times.

[gatorbait]

That aspersion does not reasonably apply to the Washington Times.

One out of..? They are still reporters and they still have an agenda. Perhaps they sell more papers when they can whine heavily on the editorial pages.

[William McKinley]

Almost every election since the days of the Whig party has been won by turning out the base. There have been exceptions, but the rule holds. You don't win by convincing people. You win by getting those who are inclined in your direction anyway to turn out for you.

[Neets]

GO ANYBODY BUT BUSH!! GO!~~

[Miss Marple]

Alan Keyes wasn't revealing what took place in a confidential meeting!

Why do you think this is called a retreat? Why do you think that it isn't open to the press? It is supposed to be confidential!

I don't think Tancredo will be taken into the leadership's confidence any time soon.

[Huck]

GO ANYBODY BUT BUSH!! GO!~~

I don't agree with that sentiment.

[.30Carbine]

You are a patriot.

pa·tri·ot
n.
One who loves, supports, and defends one's country.

---

(How's that for namecalling?!)

[.30Carbine]

I think publicity hungry Congressmen trashing their President

Case in point.

[North Coast Conservative]

To my friends in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, CPAC FReepers, AND the lurkers from B/C'04 on Free Republic:

It is very evident that many of you have been contacting your elected representatives concerning what you like, or don't like that is coming out of the current administration, or Bush/Cheney'04. You are to be commended for that , and encouraged to continue.

I received criticism from B/C'04 the other day, Gary Marx to be exact, because many of you took the time to contact him directly @ georgewbush.com and let him know what you like, and don't like about this administration, or past actions by our Compassionately Conservative president.

This campaign is about ideas, how WE think this country ought to be run, how it is run, and how it could be better.

If you sit on the sidelines, you have NO RIGHT to complain, bitch, crow, hedge, glow, or mope about what is going on, or what will happen in the next four years with:

The War on Terror
Tax Cuts
Campaign Finance Reform
The Kenndey Education Bill, (No Child Left Behind)
Renewal of the Assault Weapons Ban, (No Gun Left Behind)
Medicare Prescription Drugs, (the noose around the necks of our children)
The ill-conceived Immigration Reform Bill,(No Borders Bill, or is it No Mexican Vote Left Behind?)
Defense of Marriage,(God Bless the Ohio Legislature)
Non-Support of Fed Judiciary Nominees, (Pickering excepted)
Active Bush43 support of RINO Arlen Spector against Pat Toomey- did you know this man will run the Judiciary Committee next year? God Help US!!!

Letters to the editor, call your local talk radio station, contact your CongressCritters, contact georgewbush.com

Regardless if you are a Bushbot, or you think that this party is going to Hell in a Handbasket act today.

In God We Trust…..Semper Fi!

[Neets]

Well, I am glad to hear we can count on your support for President Bush in November.

[Huck]

Don't oversell--there's been enough of that going on already ;-)

From time to time I do my minimum duty and make my voice heard in government.

[ovrtaxt]

Brilliant post! Well said.