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.

[Nick Danger]

It is because of FR that His Slickness was impeached.

Maybe you think that was a great victory. To me it was like watching a horror movie. I was as riled up as anybody on this forum about what that guy did. To watch the American people reward him with ever-higher approval ratings as impeachment approached, was like getting hit over the head with a board. If ever there was a reminder that I am a statistical outlyer, totally out of step with the American electorate, that was it.

Yes, the House of Representatives did a gutsy thing there, and we probably did play a hand in it. Some of the House Managers have said we did. And we put an indelible asterisk next to Clinton's name in the history books. I regret none of what I did there. But the whole time I felt like I was being punched in the stomach by my fellow Americans, who seemed to be saying that lying under oath was just fine. We got trounced there, Pod. Let's not sugarcoat that, either.

All of the things you list are good examples of "the fanatic's role in history." No one would argue that fanatics don't have a role. And I would never argue that we had no effect on events. But that's our position in the scheme of things: the fanatic's role. What we were talking about on this thread was winning elections, and that is by definition not one of the fanatic's roles. Winning elections is not about small numbers of highly-motivated people. If it was, Dean would be cruising to the nomination right now.

[sauropod]

Well, it would be a change from what he does NOW!

BOHICA.

[Revel]

How we start with....I have reconsidered the immigration issue...No can do. And how about Making it far less profitable for American company's to ship there manufacturing over seas. And torpedo H1 Visa's. Ands lets start making an issue of activist judges. Lets get the American people to hate them. And lets CUT SPENDING. Thats a start.

[nopardons]

You're giving FR way too much credit!

Clinton was NOT Impeached because of FR!

" STAR CHAMBER "?

President Bush will, GOD willing and some temper throwing, supposed Conservatives facing reality,be reelected.

[cyborg]

of course he isn't... like most other pols he could give a crap. That's why a turd mobile is appropriate for him.

[Sabertooth]

Again, you seem to insist that John Warner get a pass because he acted out of "conscience".

Wrong.

Your decision not to vote for Warner was a vote of conscience: yours.

I totally respect that.

I'm baffled as to why you don't extend the same to others.

You really have NO grounds upon which to criticize my refusal to support John Warner.

Can you really have missed the point that badly?

I haven't criticized your vote; I've simply pointed out that by your own logic, voting for Warner was a vote for a Democrat.

I didn't say it was my logic.

[nopardons]

NO!

[sauropod]

Sniff!

[B4Ranch]

"I felt like I was being punched in the stomach by my fellow Americans, who seemed to be saying that lying under oath was just fine."

Been quite common as the history books show. I'm just tired of being punch in the gut by supposed patriots.

[Diva Betsy Ross]

I am not under any illusions. I am still fighting back. That is how our system works. I am only one person, one vote. But I can try and help where I can. I am trying to do that right now.

If you are going to vote for President Bush, why not help him win. Why not get your message, which happens to be very similar to my message, out and keep fighting for what we believe in at the same time.

We can only do what we can, no more ..no less.

[sauropod]

Finding "common ground" is a pig in a poke. I find this to be true even at CPAC. (I respect your posn. tho.)

[nopardons]

You can't demand that and certainly not from Texasforver. LOL

And the president won't fire him. Why should he; because you and a few others here demand it ? That's ludicrous in the extreme.

[Texasforever]

Lets get the American people to hate them.

HOw?

And lets CUT SPENDING.

Every poll shows Americans want more spending not less especially on healthcare, Social security, education and "jobs

And how about Making it far less profitable for American company's to ship there manufacturing over seas.

So you want big government impose protectionism? Not very conservative

[sauropod]

"Maybe you think that was a great victory. To me it was like watching a horror movie. I was as riled up as anybody on this forum about what that guy did. To watch the American people reward him with ever-higher approval ratings as impeachment approached, was like getting hit over the head with a board. If ever there was a reminder that I am a statistical outlyer, totally out of step with the American electorate, that was it."

Is that an excuse or a reason to sit down and STFU!!!??

I don't think so.

We go back a ways. I respect you too much and I think you respect me too much to trivialize this.

Fact is w/o FR, the HoR would not have sent the Articles of Impeachment to the Senate (not like they did anything useful with them).

[nopardons]

I think you haven't a clue as to what to write, so you glibly posted than banality. :-)

[sauropod]

Where TF were you in 1998?

How did you miss the March for Justice or Judgment Day?

[labolarueda]

"Good news. Seems our voices are being heard after all."

Indeed. It's high time they were.

[Sabertooth]

Forgive me for holding self-professed conservatives to the same standards I hold moderates and RINOs to.

The point all along has been that you don't hold yourself to the same standard, however you happen to categorize yourself.

By your logic, your de facto vote for the Democrat against John Warner is A-OK

[sauropod]

"Yes, the House of Representatives did a gutsy thing there, and we probably did play a hand in it. Some of the House Managers have said we did. And we put an indelible asterisk next to Clinton's name in the history books. I regret none of what I did there. But the whole time I felt like I was being punched in the stomach by my fellow Americans, who seemed to be saying that lying under oath was just fine. We got trounced there, Pod. Let's not sugarcoat that, either."

I understand completely your position. To some degree, i agree with it.

Guess I would rather be thought of as a "fanatic" than someone w/ lukewarm spit in his mouth [reference to the New Testament book Revelations there].

[Ches]

Whatever you say because I know you're right:)