new tone is getting old

very, very old

been so reluctant (in the past) to confront the Democrats, I have my doubts. Both Bush and McCain have had many opportunities to confront the Congress on their environmentalist and immigration agenda (heck with the little people – you know, normal Americans) and have failed miserably.

Sometimes I think that we are fighting against two parties united (with selfish agendas) and no desire to do what is best for America.

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Activists Taking Action: Unified Patriots

to having the switchboard shutdown with people demanding a special session.

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Activists Taking Action: Unified Patriots

session will generate publicity for drilling now! It will only generate negative publicity for the Democrats. I say go for it.

that argument. Oh wait!

I’ll say again GC, I am a complete supporter of the President in most areas.

1. Foreign Policy.
2. Tax Rate Reduction.
3. The Iraq War.
4. SCOTUS Nominees.
5. Drilling (finally).
6. Social Security Reform.

To name just a few.

I am, and have been, and will continue to be, a harsh critic of GWB because he steadfastly refuses to fight for the values he seems to believe in.

In the area of FP, neither Powell or Rice have done him any favors. They’ve both melded into Foggy Bottom and become State Department Employees. Bush has refused to stand up and fight for his stated FP preferences against the folks at State and the Democrats.

With regard to taxes, he did an excellent job getting his initial rate reductions passed. All we’ve heard from him since is crickets chirping.

Iraq. You keep harping that we’ve won the war. Sorry pal, you’re simply wrong on that one. We’ve so far managed to win the battle to begin to stabilize Iraq, but the “war” is far from won. He has allowed the Democrats and media free reign to declare defeat – so far not in the least retracted – to openly slander our military on repeated basis, to lie about the rationale for the war and the actual conditions on the field. He’s allowed them to repeat and expand on their lies so often that a majority of the American people believe them.

We will not have “won” the war until the Democrats admit that it was the right course of action and that we have been successful and have won. And that won’t be happening anytime soon.

The reason I’m so concerned about his silence is that he’s allowed the Democrats to create an atmosphere where the use of military force at any time in the future will be politically nearly impossible. That puts us at risk because you can bet that our enemies – the Iranians for one – are betting on the Dems being their allies in any confrontation. And they’d be right.

The other issue related to the war that really disturbs me is GWB standing by and doing absolutely nothing (OK, one nasty speech with no follow-up) when WaPo and the NYT printed classified information. He did nothing about finding and prosecuting the leakers and did nothing to punish the papers. Zip.

With respect to SCOTUS nominees, I’m fine with R&A and I’m pleased that we shut down the WH switchboard over HM. What I’m not pleased with was his complete abrogation of his duty to press the Judiciary Committee to move his lower court nominees to an up or down vote. This was another issue tailor made for making huge political points and helping to elect Republican CongressCritters. All we got detachment – “That’s the Senate’s job…” and more crickets. As a result, there are dozens of open circuit and appellate seats that should have men like Miguel Estrada sitting in them.

Drilling. This is THE political issue of the season. He does absolutely nothing to capitalize on it. Even if some bill is passed in September, the Ds will take, and get, credit for it because it will likely have “other” stuff in it that they will use to take the focus off the fact that the oil companies will be able to explore/drill the OCS.

Social security. He didn’t put forth a plan with even a hint of a detail. He rallied support from about zero Republican CongressCritters. He went on a “townhall tour” that was largely ignored because he didn’t do his homework and get supporters on board. It was a completely wasted effort, if you can even call it an effort. And, it may have hurt the chances of any discussion of privatization any time in the near future.

Again, my issue with GWB is that he starts things well and then just moves on. No follow up. No fight. No offense or defense. And absolutely no leadership. And we find ourselves in a position where the Democrats are as trusted as the Republicans on Iraq and National Security, and well ahead on every other major issue.

And that’s GWB’s immediate legacy.