Posted on 06/03/2005 9:43:52 AM PDT by West Coast Conservative
When President Bush first latched onto mountain biking as his favored form of exercise, he plowed over rough terrain with a distinctive technique: Even when he pedaled uphill, he refused to shift to a lower gear.
That is an apt metaphor for the way Bush is making his way through the second term of his presidency: No matter how steep the climb to his goals — to revamp Social Security, to win confirmation for his choice for United Nations ambassador, to bring stability to Iraq — Bush is pushing on, as if heedless of the enormous obstacles he faces in Congress, around the country and across the globe.
Bush's doggedness is one of many assets he has retained in his second term, and he has needed it of late as his top priorities have run into heavy weather in Congress. Democratic critics see Bush's recent troubles as evidence that he has become a lame duck who has lost leverage with lawmakers.
But many analysts — including foes of the White House — say it is premature to write off a president who holds a formidable array of political and institutional tools — and who is determined to use them.
"I don't think he is a lame duck," said Nelson Polsby, a political scientist at UC Berkeley and a Bush critic. "A lame duck is harmless, someone who people disregard because they think he can't be harmful. He still has plenty of potentiality to make trouble."
Bush's ability to influence U.S. foreign policy remains largely unchallenged. He is poised to leave a decisive imprint on the Supreme Court. Among Republicans, he is even more popular than was the icon of American conservatism, Ronald Reagan, at this point in his second term.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
"He still has plenty of potentiality to make trouble."
Left coast spiel!
For the LAT, this is a good article. That's my President -- strong and persistent -- no metrosexual wimp that blows in the wind.
Preventing Social Security from crashing in 2018 and taking the rest of our economy with it would be particularly troubling.
Among Republicans, he is even more popular than was the icon of American conservatism, Ronald Reagan, at this point in his second term.
Are Congressional staffers reading this board paying attention to this sentence?
And despite tensions with the Republican-led Congress, Bush still enjoys a deep reservoir of goodwill among fellow Republicans for having led the party to strong congressional gains in the 2002 and 2004 elections.
If you weren't paying attention to the first, maybe you are paying attention to the second?
But Bush is facing an immutable fact of second-term life: Republicans in Congress will be on the ballot in 2006 and 2008, and Bush will not. That has made Republicans on Capitol Hill much more wary of the political risks entailed in acting on such sensitive issues as Social Security and immigration law.
Which brings us to the point. Bush retains a strong base committed to him. It is that base that wins elections for these Republicans. It is that base that gave them increased majorities to pass Bush's proposals (saving immigration). It is that base that is increasingly angered as seen in the approval rankings of CONGRESS that the people they elected to pass Bush's agenda are the impediment. It is that base that is particularly displeased at the Judas Pact by the 14 nitwits. It is that base that following inaction or obstacles by REPUBLICANS to these proposals and the loss of Bush in '08 will have little incentive to keep electing elitist cowards that will not live up to campaign promises.
Meaning simply that those jobs you fear will be lost by acting for the good of country will in reality be lost because you were scared to act.
Is this true? Or more LAT 'poetic license'. I suppose one looks for allegory where they can find it. Next edition will have 'Hangman' Cheeney tying a Windsor knot.
*BUMP* !
Is it just me, or has the LAT become more pro-Bush/Republican than before? Wonder if the circulation numbers have anything to do with that..
All very well said. Those who would attempt to advance themselves by dissing or moving away from the President are not adopting a winning strategery, e.g. McCain.
I guess it's not election season now! If they're at all less extremely leftwing now, they'll surely return to their old ways next year (or sooner, if Gov. Schwarzenegger calls a special election for several reform initiatives).
Today's California section had the leading headline "Man Indicted in Phnom Penh Attacks Active in GOP Causes" with sub-headline: "Long Beach accountant Yasith Chhun, whose group is labeled a terrorist organization, raised funds to elect Republicans."
Despite a few good commentaries recently, the LAT still seems to portray the Republicans and conservatives negatively while promoting Democrats like Clinton and state Dem lawmakers and their ideas.
Ah gosh gee, do you think the LA Slimes really deep down love our Pres? LOL. Amen.
Yup! He plows on, oblivious to a lot of things. For example, all those illegal aliens lining is route and cheering him on.
Who woulda thunk it -- from the LA Times no less.
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