[YoungKentuckyConservative]

http://www.paulreveresociety.com/poll120104.html

[weenie]

I suggest he is better than a true conservative...he is a true believer...you can see it in the way he walks...

[YoungKentuckyConservative]

Whereas Bush may have been the "better option", I don't feel he is anything remotely close to what I would call a "true" conservative. He's the best choice we have, yes, but that doesn't mean I have to swallow the "Bush" koolaid of socialist-conservatism. New World Order, up up and away!!!!

[Joe Hadenuf]

No 72% / Yes 18%

At least people can get somethings right.

[counterpunch]

What makes one a "true conservative" and is it neccessarily a good thing to be one?

I'd say a "true conservative" believes in the status quo, whatever it may be. A "true conservative" is an isolationist and probably a protectionist, too.

A "true conservative" could certainly never be a radical visionary of forward-leaning reformer as President Bush is.

Just some food for thought.

[Huck]

Yes and no.

[steplock]

I like the THIRD answer ...

"Yes, No, I don't know"

Sums up my view of Bush nicely.

In some ways he is conservative, other ways far more liberal than JFK (the original one!) especially in spending OUR money (not the feds).

The Patriot Act? Any law that cannot be disclosed to the public is UN-AMERICAN and TYRANNICAL! PERIOD! He treads on very thin ice.

[Phsstpok]

George W. Bush is NOT a "conservative."

George W. Bush is a good man.

80% of the time he will take a position that pleases self described doctrinaire "conservatives."

100% of the time he will do what he feels is the right thing, as God gives him wisdom to understand it.

I guarantee you that I will disagree with 80% of the self styled "conservative purists" as to what the right thing is when they shriek and rail against GWB. Most of them are certifiable loons, little removed from the Michael Moore and his merry band of lunatics in their divergence from reality.

George W. Bush will remain a good man, regardless.

Given the circumstances I choose to trust GWB, not the loons, however "pure."

[Darlin']

I guess it all depends on who is defining "conservative" Frankly, I don't, uh, care... What possible difference does it make anyhow ? He is our duly elected president and from where I'm sitting that trumps any silly poll. I worked tirelessly for President Bush in 2000 and just as much again in 2004... If it were possible for him to have a 3rd term I'd be first in line to volunteer. I do hope the "purists" who sit around and whine about such nonsense chew on this for the next 4 years it will keep them occupied while President Bush is busy enacting his agenda and moving the country forward.

[bahblahbah]

Neocons aren't conservatives. Many neocons are former democrats and many of the founders like Irving Kristol and Jeanne Kirkpatrick were trotskyites. In fact Irving Kristol described a neoconservative as "just a liberal who got mugged by reality." Of the presidents of the past century, neocons tend to like like Teddy Roosevelt, FDR, Kennedy, and Reagan. No correlation to fiscal conservatism but they were patriotic and inspirational leaders which shaped our history greatly.

I don't know if Bush could really be considered a neocon but a lot of people in his administration are and they have a lot of influence. Heck you can see the blueprint of many of Bush's policies by reading some articles at Project for a New American Century.

[tkathy]

Bush is a true American which is far better to be.

[bjs1779]

Lots better than Kerry is all I can say.

[Dante3]

Bush is not a conservative because of his spending; support of McCain's pet projectCFR; his desire for open borders and amnesty for illegal aliens (all of whom are criminals); failure to speak out against Sandra Day O'Connor's blatant disregard of her oath of office as she disses the Constitution in favor of World Opinion.

[Mr Ramsbotham]

On a scale of one to ten I give him a seven. His big problem is that he doesn't seem to mind expanding government.

[error99]

Barry Goldwater he ain't.

[Tall_Texan]

My answer would be "no".

A "true conservative" wouldn't explode the deficit with unnecessary spending. A "true conservative" would pull the plug on NPR, the NEA and a host of other pork, especially in a time of war where we need to make sure our military has whatever it needs. A "true conservative" would have never signed McCain-Feingold (CFR) into law. A "true conservative" would also not have ignored the crimes of the Clinton Administration and pursued them into court.

But, on the whole, George W. Bush is a fine president and a great leader of his party. The Republicans continue to prosper and expand under his watch. I don't have to agree on everything he does to accept him as my president. In fact, I still hold Reagan in higher regard than Bush.

I wish, however, he fought harder for conservatism and not just Republicanism.

[Designer]

When does a "true conservative" act as a true conservative? When his awareness of the facts guide his actions.

Most, if not all, the FReepers are true conservatives, but some exhibit a lack of understanding of the facts. Is there a difference between a conservative-leaning person who makes many egregious mistakes toward favoring certain tenets of liberalism, and someone who calls himself a liberal, but nevertheless holds to traditional values?

Wouldn't it be great if everyone knew precisely where he stood on the issues, and exactly why?

[Little Ray]

No, but he'll do until the real thing is electable...

[evets]

As conservative a president as we are gonna get. I think.

[slowhand520]

This is a Michael Savage poll. He has gone on a Bush bashing crusade since the election. He actualy called Bush a "quasi Socialist" He sucks and is very jealous of Limbaugh