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Bush fatigue in the GOP.
Newsweek ^ | June 4, 2007 | Howard Fineman

Posted on 06/04/2007 5:47:32 PM PDT by Clintonfatigued

As an ongoing political enterprise—a machine with genuine admirers, loyal supporters and a legacy to build on—the Bush presidency is perilously close to flatlining. At this point in their tenures, Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton had job-approval ratings in the mid-50 percent range; in the most recent NEWSWEEK Poll, Bush's hit an all-time low of 28. Established GOP figures in Blue States shun him, even when he comes to raise money in closed-press events. The invites aren't piling up from Red States, either. Since Bush never cultivated real allies in Congress, no one there feels guilty that he has none now. With his vice president not running, there is no '08 contender trapped in the role of shameless Bush promoter. Even the longtime paid cheerleaders are putting down their megaphones. Dan Bartlett, the senior spinmaster who joined the team years ago fresh out of college in Austin, announced last week that he was leaving.

If you want to win GOP primaries, it's still dangerous to "be foursquare opposite the president," says Tony Fabrizio, a GOP pollster. Bush remains personally popular at the party grass roots. But those same voters prefer to identify themselves as Reagan Republicans, not Bush Republicans, by a 75-15 percent margin. "You'll see some distancing now, but it will really start the moment we have a nominee," he says. That campaign will "open the cracks and fissures."

That's what the story line will be at the next GOP convention. Here's a startling question people are already posing: will Bush be asked to speak there? "There will be angst-ridden discussion, but yes, you have to do it," says Galen. Fabrizio disagrees: "If they're smart, no. Especially if things don't change in Iraq, we'll have the problem the Democrats had in 1968 with Lyndon Johnson and Vietnam.

(Excerpt) Read more at msnbc.msn.com ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: bush43; deathofthegop; fineman; sellout; teddysbestfriend
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1 posted on 06/04/2007 5:47:32 PM PDT by Clintonfatigued
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To: Clintonfatigued

I guess the President got fill of campaigning back in 2006. He won’t be asked to many next year.


2 posted on 06/04/2007 5:49:40 PM PDT by Sybeck1 (Bush on Immigration: Damn the Base, Full Speed Ahead!)
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To: EternalVigilance; Delphinium; Politicalmom; padre35; AZRepublican; kellynla; HitmanLV; ...

I admit it- I couldn’t resist posting an article with a title like that.

That aside, Bush has really messed up big time on border security. And Karl Rove’s political genius has failed him in a big way.


3 posted on 06/04/2007 5:49:56 PM PDT by Clintonfatigued (If the GOP were to stop worshiping Free Trade as if it were a religion, they'd win every election)
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To: Clintonfatigued

Like many on these boards, I have been shoulder to shoulder with Dubya, but the immigration bill along with his people calling us names put the tin hat on it for me—as our friends in Ireland would say.


4 posted on 06/04/2007 5:51:02 PM PDT by Pharmboy ([She turned me into a] Newt! in '08)
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To: Clintonfatigued

Well, frankly, I’m more fatigued with the GOP senate. Have been for years.


5 posted on 06/04/2007 5:51:15 PM PDT by pissant
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To: Clintonfatigued

The GOP might be tired of Bush, but I’d bet Bush is tired of the GOP as well.

Look at the man’s face. He’s aged about 20 years since 2000.


6 posted on 06/04/2007 5:51:41 PM PDT by zendari
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To: Clintonfatigued

“Established GOP figures in Blue States shun him, even when he comes to raise money in closed-press events.”
Interesting tidbit. Rumor is that donations are down 25% lately.


7 posted on 06/04/2007 5:52:25 PM PDT by dynachrome (Henry Bowman is right.)
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To: Clintonfatigued
That's what the story line will be at the next GOP convention. Here's a startling question people are already posing: will Bush be asked to speak there? "

What a load of crap.

8 posted on 06/04/2007 5:53:12 PM PDT by ReaganRevolution ("Fight the enemy, support the troops, back the President. There can be no end save victory.”)
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To: zendari
Look at the man’s face. He’s aged about 20 years since 2000.

That happens to every President. I think Carter showed the most stress after only four years.

9 posted on 06/04/2007 5:53:39 PM PDT by buccaneer81 (Bob Taft has soiled the family name for the next century.)
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To: zendari
but I’d bet Bush is tired of the GOP as well.

Why? Up until now, the party faithful and House and Senate Republicans have given him carte blanche.

10 posted on 06/04/2007 5:57:37 PM PDT by buccaneer81 (Bob Taft has soiled the family name for the next century.)
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To: Sybeck1
Backbones.

Get your backbones here.

Morals.

Get your morals here.

The grassroots shout in front of the White House.

11 posted on 06/04/2007 5:58:10 PM PDT by Tolkien (There are things more important than Peace. Freedom being one of those.)
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To: Clintonfatigued

I would enthusiastically support him again if he’d get right on immigration (i.e. stop pushing for amnesty.)


12 posted on 06/04/2007 5:59:40 PM PDT by nj26 (Border Security=Homeland Security. Put Our Military on the Border! (Proud2BNRA))
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To: Clintonfatigued

Consider who wrote this article and you will see why it is so negative. If the Republicans ignore President Bush at the O8 convention then I will set this election out.


13 posted on 06/04/2007 6:00:01 PM PDT by Bombard
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To: zendari
The GOP might be tired of Bush, but I’d bet Bush is tired of the GOP as well.

I believe that The President is tired of the Buchananites, Perotists, and the Aryan Nation agitators who now whine how they supported the President but won't any more. Support is such a fickle thing with some.

14 posted on 06/04/2007 6:03:26 PM PDT by AmusedBystander (Republicans - doing the work that Democrats won't do since 1854.)
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To: Clintonfatigued
These type articles are nothing more then well placed enemy (MSM/DEM) propaganda....

And our base is foolishly falling for much more of it then they should -

GWB sincerely believes what he does regarding the issue of immigration....and while I don't agree with all of his positions within this large issue......

The notion that many within the base should abandon him over this issue is ridiculous and foolishness.

In a open, free thinking, Limited Republic (Of what this Great Nation is)....there has to be the allowance of disagreement on issues within our party......Many in our base our showing themselves to be just like the ilk of the Left /DEM base.....(only their politics are better on the whole).

GWB has been one hell of a CinC, a fine POTUS and a man who has take the job of the Presidency seriously every day he has been in office.... He does not make decisions based on polls or if there will be a cost (politically or personally) to pay.....He sincerely makes decisions on what he thinks is best for this nation.

And while I can disagree with him on several issues....I also admire and respect the hell out of this man.

It is those in the GOP Senate and House that have been the fools for the past 6 years. Constantly expecting the WH to carry all the water....be it on the WOT/Iraq, the economy, stock market, need for ANWAR, etc, etc.

15 posted on 06/04/2007 6:03:47 PM PDT by SevenMinusOne
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To: Bombard

his approval rating is still better then congress


16 posted on 06/04/2007 6:04:32 PM PDT by italianquaker ("blue dog democrats", that dog don't hunt)
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To: Bombard

his approval rating is still better then congress


17 posted on 06/04/2007 6:07:00 PM PDT by italianquaker ("blue dog democrats", that dog don't hunt)
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To: Clintonfatigued

I think it’s liberal-left-wing-media fatigue.


18 posted on 06/04/2007 6:08:09 PM PDT by carmody
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To: Clintonfatigued
We’ve been Bushwhacked with this immigration bill.
19 posted on 06/04/2007 6:09:42 PM PDT by elizabetty (Perpetual Candidate using campaign donations for your salary - Its a good gig if you can get it.)
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To: Clintonfatigued

I admit to Bush fatigue. I also admit to McCain fatigue, Hagel fatigue, Graham fatigue and Republican fatigue in general. My wallet is closed for the forseeable future.


20 posted on 06/04/2007 6:13:22 PM PDT by jwalsh07
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