In the last few years of Bush's last term, he has lashed out at his base in a way that must make Ted Kennedy and his ilk proud. There is nothing the left could say or do to plunge Bush's approval rating as low as it is now. Sure, the War in Iraq has done it's damage, but most conservatives understand that a god offense is a good defense.
What we can't understand is how Bush 43 could so brazenly trod upon conservatives in a manner that makes the broken "read my lips" tax pledge look like brilliant political handiwork. You would think that Dubya would have learned from his father's blunder, but we can only assume now that George Jr decided to wait until his sencond term before biting the hand that feeds him.
Bush's slide began with Harriet Miers. Although Miers bowed out gracefully, the President left his dwindling supports wondering why (other than cronyism) he would nominate her in the first place. Then there was the absurd Dubai Ports Deal, despite the fact that the UAE was one of only three countries that recognized the Taliban as a legitimate government. Once again, Bush allowed Dubai to back out of the deal, due to overwhelming criticism from both sides of the aisle. In another stunning display of dhimmitude, Bush wanted to allow flying lessons for Saudi pilots in the US.
Now it's Amnesty. Homeland security without border checks.
Respected conservative pundits Peggy Noonan and Kathryn Jean Lopez have rightly lambasted Bush. Bush Sr ushered in the Clinton era by betraying his base, now history seems poised to repeate. It's time for real Republicans to sit down and reflect just how disastrous Bush's second term would have been if he he accomplished what he wanted, and even more important to recall those deeds come primary time.
Advice for GOP nominees; Try selling out to conservatives for a change.
The White House insisted Sunday that radical plans to overhaul the US immigration system were not dead, amid calls for Republicans and Democrats to work hard to save a controversial bill.
The sweeping reform drive, backed by US President George W. Bush, to bring 12 million illegal immigrants out of the shadows, collapsed late Thursday after a night of high drama in the Democratic-controlled Congress.
Democratic leader Harry Reid withdrew the landmark measure after senators, seeking to add amendments to the bill, voted twice within nine hours not to move it towards a final vote as he had demanded.
But Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez, who championed the legislation, insisted on CNN on Sunday: "This bill is alive and well, and we are more determined than ever to get it through.
"What happened is just a break, and people want more debate. They want a little bit more time. We probably need a couple of days more, I understand, from the senators."
The people Gutierrez refers to is the Senate. He forgets "We the People".
