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.

[Howlin]

BTW, Liddy Dole didn't have anything to do with impeachment.

And there is no way on earth Hillary will ever become president, much less for life. Try not to be so drastic.

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

He signed CFR. I personally could bear his other compromises, but not this one.

[Amelia]

You don't want her, but you'll vote for her anyway, knowing what she's like and knowing that a Senate seat is a lifetime job.....Ok. That explains it.

If your choice in the general election is between a Democrat and a liberal Republican (and maybe a libertarian or some other third party thrown in there) who are you going to vote for? Knowing that a Senate seat is a lifetime job, that is.

Just curious.

[jeremiah]

You can't do jacksquat if you're on the outside looking in It seems you can't do jacksquat unless you have an overwhelming majority, whereas the Democrats advance their agenda with a minority in the house, and a Republican in the WH. Or maybe W is advancing his agenda, it is just that it is nearly identical to the Democrats.

How about the story of GW cutting a deal with the Dems, to let the pardon crimes of Bubba go unpunished, or uncommented upon? Go team, we will win by surrendering.

[Willie Green]

The other candidates cannot win;

That's been the repetitive mantra of establishment Republicrats ever since they successfully derailed the Contract with America.

We need to clean house.

[Sabertooth]

And for anyone wanting to call me a Bush-Basher, you're wrong. I could care less about Bush. I bash tyranny wherever and whenever I find it. I voted for Bush - hit the streets for him, in fact - but he has been a total disappointment to someone like me who wants to roll back decades of government largess. He ain't cutting' it.

The nice people from the Department of Homeland Re-education have made some time for you!

[Howlin]

Name me the ones that said couldn't win that did.

[F.J. Mitchell]

Here we go again-Politically correct rules-dingle berries shall remain nameless, to divide and destroy what little is left of unity between America and Tar Heel Americans.

I have never felt more betrayed in my life, and for the first time ever I am fully aware of the difference between the dingle berries-non-dingle berries, and those who are betrayed by reality!. Dumbass dingle berries!

You got anything left for real people, Howlin? I'll be back later to hear your answer

[Sabertooth]

I wonder why?

Could it be the nasty commentary at post #1?

"Agree with this, or you're a crackpot?"

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

But we're not ignorant--that's why we're p!$$ed off!

[PhiKapMom]

Howlin -- you have an email which explains exactly what these conservatives are up to!

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

The difference between Bush and Clinton is that Bush doesn't cheat on his wife. Their politics are nearly identical.

I wouldn't go that far. However, The Smirk really has been pressing his luck lately...

[Texasforever]

I posted a thread inviting nominations for a "real" conservative to replace Bush. The thread generated about 8 well known names, most had already ran multiple times. The runaway winner on that thread was "let the democrats have it". The logic? So the revolution could come sooner.

[Dane]

That's been the repetitive mantra of establishment Republicrats ever since they successfully derailed the Contract with America.

Actually I beleive that 9 of the 10 points of the Contract with America were passed and sent to Clinton.

The COA was a brilliant move on Newt's part for the 94 elections. Of course Newt also had the Clinton's to thank for the victory in 94, with the Clinton's blatant lurch to the left.

There was a reason Hillary called Dick Morris in the middle of that fateful election night.

She needed someone to hold her hand(while she was screeching anti-semantic slurs) to find the politcal middle.

[PhiKapMom]

Dang! What happened to your cute nice Sabertooth?

[Howlin]

For real people, sure. Let me know if you see any around.

[Texasforever]

The Smirk really has been pressing his luck lately...

Hey Molly, welcome to FR.

[Texas Yellow Rose]

	"This guy is entitled to his opinion but the reason conservatives gripe is because our leaders sell us out."
EXACTLY!!!   And it's about the CONSTITUTION. I'm not even sure we have one anymore.  I usually raise objection to terming our country as a "democracy" instead of a "republic" but when you think about it that's exactly what non-adherence to the constitution and the political whores have turned us into.... a democracy heading down the path to destruction like every democracy before us. The rest of you who are intent on calling conservatives stupid: Call me politically stupid...I could care less.  I do, however, care about many things such as, GOVERNMENT SPENDING, GOVERNMENT UNCONSTITUTIONAL PROGRAMS, GOVERNMENT INTRUSION, STATES' RIGHTS, education, taxes, health care, medicare, gun control, abortion, trade, the power of a president to control us through the war powers act, reliance on foreign oil, and on and on and on. Something is very wrong when our government REFUSES to enforce immigrations laws .... especially now.  Now don't get me wrong, I love immigrants.  I am the product of immigrants from England, Germany, France, Ireland, and Scotland.  We must be in control of the situation and we must enforce the laws on the books. IMHO this is the #1 problem facing our country today aside from the unconstitutional programs.  If this is not addressed the terrorists will continue to gain entry into our country in droves. (Those that haven't already!)
Visit: Freeper Tips and Helps for posting photos, links and other HTML goodies. You can also bookmark the thread at:  http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/fr/562247/posts "Government is not reason; it is not eloquence; it is force! Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master."   .....  Somebody Very Smart.....

[PhiKapMom]

Thanks! I missed Post #1! I wouldn't say that about any journalist!

[Dane]

while she(Hillary) was screeching anti-semantic slurs

LOL, the above italicized quote will probably go into the FR Hall of Fame.

It should say "while she(Hillary) was screeching anti- semitic slurs."