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.

[sauropod]

They have none.

[sauropod]

It is the Cult of the Star Chamber.

[Nick Danger]

Execute a third-party tantrum over every slight, real and imagined...and watch the GOP go court someone else's vote, because you're telling them that you cannot be relied on in any way, shape, or form.

This is not for people who like short slogans and sound bites, but there is a fascinating and very insightful article from a Dean supporter here. It's kind of a post-mortem, and it concerns how the Deaniacs (including Dean himself) managed to con themselves into thinking they had actual popular support... when what they were really experiencing was their own noise bouncing around in an echo chamber on the Internet.

I recommend this article to all thinking Freepers, because we here on FR are vulnerable to making the same mistakes. We had our very own on-line echo chamber long before anyone ever heard of Howard Dean. And if we're honest about it, we'll admit that we have had our own little 'Deaniac' episodes along the way.

One of the things I try to keep in perspective is that, to the extent that I fit in here, I am a 95^th percentile right-wing nut. Anyone who ran for office using my positions, on my hot-button issues, would go down in flames in all but a handful of Congressional districts. The minute I forget that, I have lost touch with reality.

I have seen numerous posts on this thread so far alleging widespread dissatisfaction with the direction the Republican Party has been taking in recent years. Earth to Freepers: the market is signalling the Republicans that they are doing everything right. Some of us have wondered over the years whether we would ever live to see the day that Republicans would hold the White House, both houses of Congress, and a majority of the Governorships. Not only do they have that now, they increased their majorities in both houses in the last election. If I run the GOP, and you come to tell me that I'm doing it all wrong, I am going to dismiss you as a nut.

Folks, let's not fall into the Deaniac Internet Echo-Chamber trap. We are not the American electorate. We are highly vocal ring-wing nuts... the exact counterpoint to Dean's highly vocal left-wing nuts. Our advice on how to win elections is worth about as much as Howard Dean's is right now. And that's especially true for guys who have gone from being in the wilderness for 40 years, to owning the Democrats.

That's not to say that the GOP can't screw things up. Nothing is forever. But let's be cool about this and recognize that we are not the guys anyone is going to come to for advice on what to do next. Boo and hiss at Karl Rove all you want, but Bush is President and his party gained seats in both houses during an off-year election... not an easy or common thing to pull off. There is no objective fact for Bush to look at that doesn't tell him that Karl Rove is very good at what he does.

One of the things that many people have speculated about is whether the Deaniacs will accept reality, or whether they will go off in a snit... and come November, either write in Howard, or vote for Ralph Nader, or stay home altogether. People wonder about that because the Deaniacs are widely perceived to be a bunch of immature moonbeamers.

I hope we can do better than that.

[Texasforever]

What gig? I agree with Poobah. The "base" hasn't been around for 15 years. The "base" is an opposition party.

[Revel]

I would hope that you would be protesting the Dems as well. And anyone else who acts like a socialist. Time is short. If you want Bush to win then you just need to get him to do an about face and mean it. If there is no threat to him in being a socialist then he has no reason to change. And he won't because it seems to be his preference. Therefore you need to wake him up NOW! So that you are not facing all the displeasure in October when it would really hurt him.

[sauropod]

I'd prefer to remove him from the watch.

No friend of conservatives he.

[Texasforever]

Good post.

[sauropod]

'Nuff said.

[NYC GOP Chick]

He's a friend of himself -- more into his own power than working toward achieving tangible conservative goals.

[sauropod]

I do not belive all of your post.

It is because of FR that His Slickness was impeached.

It is because of FR that Gore was unable to steal Election 2000.

It is because of FR in spite of the Star Chamber that I have hope for '04.

Sugarcoating Sh*t does noone any good.

[paul51]

"I'm from Texas and I know this issue."

In an election year, it may be more important to know the voters

[Texasforever]

If you want Bush to win then you just need to get him to do an about face and mean it

Suggestions?

[Diva Betsy Ross]

Well, I think we could find our common ground right there. It sure makes alot of sense to me. I have believed for along time that President Bush needs to hear a unified message from us. But all of this fighting isn't doing anyone any good ,unless they are running as a DEM. And we can all agree that we don't want a DEM mess again.

Could that be one of the messages President Bush should hear?

I wonder who else has thought that.

[mickie]

I received a letter from The Republican National Committee asking for money.
I wrote across it in blue marker "Bush's Immigration Policy" and mailed it back to them.

Think they'll get the message?

[Diva Betsy Ross]

See post #653

[sauropod]

I would be happy if W. heard a "unified message."

One that was coherent and held to conservative principles as I know them.

Unfortunately, i don't see that happening.

[cyborg]

I remember hearing about FR when James Golden still had his own radio show. The top media brass are lurkers on here because this is the TOP news source, aside from Drudge Report.

[Texasforever]

Think they'll get the message?

LOL

[cyborg]

Run him out on a rail.

[Texasforever]

What "unified message"?