Conservatives, Cut Bush Slack

The Chicago Sun-Times ^ | June 22, 2002 | Thomas Roeser

[quidnunc]

This summer will mark the 47th year since I took my first Republican job: as public relations director for the party in Minnesota. Since then I have rarely strayed from politics, or my party. I served as a staffer to two GOP congressmen, to a GOP governor, as a federal appointee to Richard Nixon and as a corporate executive who supported in Washington and Springfield much, if not all, of the Republican agenda.

You can describe me as a conservative. Thus I am qualified to say that although I dearly love conservatives, they tend to be querulous, disagreeable and threaten revolt when Republican office-holders don't please them. So it is now with George W. Bush. Here is a president who has surprised us all with the firmness and resolve he showed after 9/11. I must tell you I voted for him with less enthusiasm than I had for many of his predecessors. But his administration has pleased me often — most notably on two issues: defense of America and social policy.

Yet, Bush has to get re-elected in a country that is evenly divided on philosophy. Thus he must occasionally — on matters that sometimes offend conservatives — dip into the other side's ideology for support. He has done so on three notable occasions: on the issue of steel protectionism, where he departed his free-market proclamations; on the signing of a campaign finance bill tailored by his enemies, and allowing his attorney general (in the words of Libertarian Nat Hentoff in the Washington Times) "to send disguised agents into religious institutions, libraries and meetings of citizens critical of government policy without a previous complaint, or reason to believe that a crime has been committed."

In a perfect political world, where conservatives are in the majority, these things would be sufficient to encourage a boycott of the polls. Either that or a protest vote for the Democratic opposition. But we are not in a perfect world. We conservatives have a president who didn't receive a majority of the votes, and has one house of Congress against him. He must make compromises to get re-elected. Conservatives who do not understand the nature of politics ought to stay in their air-conditioned ivory towers and refrain from political activity altogether. If they cannot adjudge the stakes in this election and the difference between Bush and an Al Gore or a John Kerry (D-Mass.) or a Dick Gephardt (D-Mo.), they are foolish indeed.

-snip-

To read the remainder of this op/ed open the article via the link provided in the thread's header.

[quidnunc]

Tom Roeser's credentials as an undoubted conservative Republican simbly cannot be challanged without the challanger running the risk of sounding like a crackpot.

He is a politically-savvy commentator who is often Seen and heard on local radio and TV in the Chicago area and so is a known quantity.

[quidnunc]

For your information

[Randjuke]

Thanks for the post, quidnunc, it sums up my feelings very well and much better than I could have. The remainder of the article is also worth a read, especially by those Republicans who are threatening to vote Democrat because "it doesn't make any difference".

[SBeck]

Unfortunately, far too many "conservatives" have seen the movie "Braveheart" which is why you see true conservatives joking, schmoozing and generally getting along with the loyal opposition while those in the former category adopt the slash and burn philosophy of politics. (It's also the reason why the former are forever bitterly disappointed and have very little, if any, influence).

[Amerigomag]

Yet, Bush has to get re-elected in a country that is evenly divided on philosophy. Thus he must occasionally — on matters that sometimes offend conservatives — dip into the other side's ideology for support. He has done so on three notable occasions

Give me a break!

I think the count is eleven (11) and rising daily or weekly depending on the depth of your conservatism.

[RJCogburn]

He has done so on three notable occasions

Well that is one convenient memory....the farm bill and the education bills are anything but conservative and as egregious as the steel quotas.

Except for 9/11 and related matters, Bush has at best been a mediocre President thus far....but mediocre is not all that bad, as there has been one outstanding President, two horrible, and the remaining mediocre since 1968.

[Howlin]

I love the articles you find.

[MJY1288]

PING

[RAT Patrol]

I agree. Although CFR was betrayal enough for me. This guy is entitled to his opinion but the reason conservatives gripe is because our leaders sell us out. (not all of them, some make me very proud) Liberals walk in lockstep.

[JustSayNoNWO]

The whole article sounds like a "My Party, right or wrong" speech. It is true that sometimes compromise with an opposing party must be done. However, no matter how much this President "dips in" to the Democratic Liberal agengda...The Dem's will not be satisfied and only want MORE consessions. Strong Conservative support elected Bush, and I too fear he is loosing his "grassroots" due to the onslaught of Liberal policies.


For the writer to say many Conservatives that voted for Bush just do not understand and "stay in their ivory towers", without critisizing policies, is laughable. Conservative voters are not stupid....many speak out because "turning the other cheek" is not, and has not worked for a long time.

[Howlin]

Bump!

[Howlin]

:-)

[MJY1288]

LOL,

[Grampa Dave]

Thanks for the ping. More names to add to our lists.

[oline]

"loyal oppostion" my ass

I don't care to "schmooze" at cocktail parties with RATS and RINOS

[Grampa Dave]

Thanks for the ping. A few more names to add to our lists for the upcoming changes.

[IanSherwood]

And yet he has done absolutely nothing to help the millions of innocent babies who are being murdered in cold blood on a daily basis. Why should I cut President Bush any slack?

Be patient, Tabitha. When he appoints his new Chief Justice, everything will change!

[MJY1288]

what should the list be called :-)