Bush is the most conservative, partisan U.S. president ever. He is the first product born and bred in the conservative revolution – unlike his father he pretty much buys the entire ideology. Of course, the
 The GOP institutes a “no more dirty pillows” policy |
problem is that conservatism is a disaster as a governing philosophy, as evidenced by the Bush administration. From domestic policy to foreign policy, it fails time and time again. So of course conservatives are now distancing themselves from Bush. They’re so concerned now with a “real” conservative that they’ve chased the very right-wing John McCain away, while also lamenting that the GOP field isn’t right-wing enough (as a moderate Democrat with a good field of moderate, mainstream Democratic candidates I encourage this sentiment along with the feelings that freaking “earmarks” and not “the bloody war in Iraq” were the reason the GOP lost in 2006).
Strangely, they share a lot in common with the DLC. The DLC tries to push Dems to the right, and when they lose they say we didn’t go enough to the right. In 2006 the Dems stayed true to themselves, and the DLC still tried to take credit.
Bush is not and has never been a real conservative. His foreign policy is neocon interventionist (which is much diffrent froma paleo-con isolationist-oriented policy) and his domestic policies are those of a big spending liberal. At least know why you hate him.
I love the “Bush was never a conservative” arguements that people like Dugger are buying into.
Bush certainly was conservative enough for the Republican Party in is also conservative enough for 75-80% of Republicans who consistently rate his performance positively.
It was only when his likeability ratings dropped below 40 percent (thanks in large part to moderate voters that Repubs will certaininly alienate even further with a hard push to right in 2008) did this non sensical “he was never a conservative” arguement begin.
Glenn Greenwald had a great post about this in May 2006
http://glenngreenwald.blogspot.com/2006/05/conservatives-try-to-distance.html
and Digby nailed it all the way back in November of 2005 when he said
“Conservative” is a magic word that applies to those who are in other conservatives’ good graces. Until they aren’t. At which point they are liberals.
http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2005_11_20_digbysblog_archive.html#113304649195203560
My advice keep pushing the Republican Party to the right baby!!!!
meant to say….
“Bush certainly was conservative enough for the Republican Party in 2000 and 2004″
Just like your side in reverse, often conservatives will vote for a non-conservative as the best available alternative (to a liberal). Hence, Bubba. Hence, maybe, Hillsy. Hence, maybe, Guliani on our side.
Interesting.. When will Cons ADMIT they’ve been had?
They are not “throwing Bush off the bus”, they are throwing up at the rest stop as they realize the hottie next to them on the bus stole all their vacation money and got off at the last stop.
Bush-Cheney has rolled all the movement Conservatives, right-wing nutjobs, neonazis, and sundry other splinters for al they were worth, and has gone merrily on its pro-millionaire, pro-Fortune 500 way.
Even the BUSH SCOTUS judges they are so proud of are corporatist hacks first and right-wingers second.
It would be funny if it weren’t so pathetic.
Actually, it IS funny.
Lol!