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.

[Diva Betsy Ross]

I know. Call me an idealist. That is what I am after all. But it is all I have to hold on to.

I don't believe it is impossible to find common ground, I do know it is hard work.

I wish Republicans and freepers were more willing to do the hard work ,than to tear each other apart and take such a hard line with each other.

One thing for sure this country was founded by idealists who were not afraid of hard work and who did find some common ground .

[sauropod]

Then don't pay any attention to the article.

Sorry to have bothered you.

Go back to sleep.

[Sabertooth]

*You don't need or want any of our votes?

**Not at the price that's being asked.

A natural-born coalition builder, yessir.

You're bent on playing king of the fort while there's an election going on around you.

[nopardons]

I'm NOT casting aspersion, nor making a personal attack, but for all of our sakes, look reality squarely in the face. The president is going to do what he's going to do. You don't have a voice in that. THIS IS NOT A DEMOCRACY; WE ARE A REPRESENTATIVE REPUBLIC!

I am a Conservative. I have been active in politics since I was a teen and around those actuallyin politics, all of my life.Vaunted principles have cost the GOP, dearly, in the past. Just ask yourself if you'd rather have some of what you want or NONE .

The percent of raving far right wingers is tiny. The percent of Conservatives, though larger, is still smallish.Are you telling me that President Bush, who IS the president of the entire country, should listen to and follow the farthest edge of the right? If so, then you don't understand politics at all.

[sauropod]

As for myself, I am no longer sure what "Republicans" actually stand for.

Over the past 20 years or so, they have represented themselves as the party of smaller government, lower taxes, less spending, tough on national defense, tough on immigratio policies, etc.

That is not what they actually are however. And therein lies the conundrum.

[nopardons]

I'm a fighter, but I'm also pragmatic. :-)

[nopardons]

That's what we all must do, to varying degrees. There are things the president has said and done that I whole heartedly have disagreed with. Still, this is no time to desert him. The alternative is just too horrid and he HAS done some really good to great things!

[hellinahandcart]

To me it was like watching a horror movie

I feel like I'm watching one now. Earlier today, there were people suggesting (seriously) that W would pick up another state or two if he replaced Cheney with a liberal like Giuliani.

Simple as recasting a part in a soap opera.

[Sabertooth]

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.

Fair enough.

I recommend you read the article at the top of this thread, and tell me how many Freepers were giving Karl Rove the heat at that retreat.

My guess is not that many.

There is an echo chamber on FR, and it's filled with the sound of self-satisfaction and bleating that we have a Panglossian Presidency. People have hypnotized themselves that this election will be a walk, and that nothing that Bush has done will endanger either his reelection or the seats we take in the House and Senate.

In the article, many GOP Congressman told Karl Rove that's not what they're hearing from their constituents.

The GOP is no better served by a yes-forum than President Bush is served by yes-men.

[sauropod]

"I'm NOT casting aspersion, nor making a personal attack, but for all of our sakes, look reality squarely in the face. The president is going to do what he's going to do. You don't have a voice in that. THIS IS NOT A DEMOCRACY; WE ARE A REPRESENTATIVE REPUBLIC!"

Run out of the Haldol?

[abigail2]

Haven't been on too much. Here is my latest post...Amnesty: Hate the sin; Love the sinner. by Patrick Rooney...http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1071036/posts
How are you?

[nopardons]

Is so and don't bring up the birth of the GOP! :-)

[Lady Eileen]

Correction: The radio talk show host I thought was "Don Crow" is actually "Don Kroah"...sorry Don.

Below is the page with the link to the Don Kroah's archived interview in which Tancredo reports his confrontation with Rove re illegal amnesty at the recent Republican retreat:Page with Tancredo interview

Please note the segment of the Don Kroah show with the interview is an hour long. To find the relevent section, click on: Friday February 6, 2004 -- Hour 1-- and fast forward past the commercials and intro to about 12:30 minutes.

[Texasforever]

Finding "common ground" is a pig in a poke.

Let's examine 4 of Bush's actions and "common ground" with the "Base"./ The first was the Farm Bill. The Farm belt, which is a large segment of the "base" loved it. The Fiscal "base" hated it. The steel Tariffs were applauded by the America first "base" the free trade "base" hated it. The Iraq war was applauded by the "neo-con base" and hated by the "paleo-con/PJB base". The Immigration proposal is applauded by the Free trade base and the populist base hates it. There is no "base" in the GOP there is only a loosely organized bunch of narrowly focused "conservatives and PJB populists" that will be offended by ANY decision or policy this president proposes.

[nopardons]

Only a wee bit as far as sign up is concerned. I lurked for almost a year, prior to actually joining. :-)

[sauropod]

panglossian

Please define that. I'm too lazy to look it up ;-)

[Texasforever]

A natural-born coalition builder, yessir.

Careful or you may fall off that high horse.

[sauropod]

You speak the truth here ;-).

[hedgetrimmer]

Bump.

[sauropod]

When youse pute yer name on the dotted line is when youse becomes a FReeper ;-). You've been around long enough to understand that dynamic;-0