The Conservative Case Against George W. Bush

[T_i_B]

Some of this is gibberish (as you might expect from a conservative) but some good points are made too. Make of this what you will.

http://www.amconmag.com/12_1_03/cover.html

But this president deserves to be criticized. Sharply. By anyone who believes in limited, constitutional government.

First, George W. Bush, despite laudable personal and family characteristics, is remarkably incurious and ill read. Gut instincts can carry even a gifted politician only so far. And a lack of knowledge leaves him vulnerable to simplistic remedies to complex problems, especially when it comes to turning America into the globe’s governess.

Second, despite occasional exceptions, the Bush administration, backed by the Republican-controlled Congress, has been promoting larger government at almost every turn. Its spending policies have been irresponsible, and its trade strategies have been destructive. The president has been quite willing to sell out the national interest for perceived political gain, whether the votes sought are from seniors or farmers. The terrorist attacks of 9/11 encouraged the administration to push into law civil-liberties restrictions that should worry anyone, whether they are wielded by a Bush or a Clinton administration.

The president and his aides have given imperiousness new meaning. Officials are apparently incapable of acknowledging that their pre-war assertions about Iraq’s WMD capabilities were incorrect; indeed, they resent that the president is being questioned about his administration’s claims before the war. They are unwilling to accept a role for Congress in deciding how much aid money to spend.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. Many conservatives will not vote Bush

They might vote for a Dem. or maybe for a Libertarian, but they hate Bush for what he has done to their party. They are the classic conservatives who believe in small government, balanced budgets, and civility on the Hill. These are the Republicans we can work with. These are the Republicans who should be encouraged, because, like us, they fear that Bush&Co are destroying this country.

[vi5]

2. This is where I vehemently disagree.....

I think the idea that conservatives will in any way vote against Bush (be it dem or third party) is not accurate and is going to lull us into a sense of complacency.

When it comes down to it, they have much more in common with BUsh than they will with any of our potential candidates. They will recognize that, and however begrudgingly, pull the lever for George W. Bush in '04.

Which is why they will win and we will likely lose because there is a larger contingency on the left than on the right, who would rather throw temper tantrums and not vote at all or not vote for the dem candidate simply because of a few issues. Republicans and Conservatives see the big picture and realize that getting 50% of what you want is better than getting nothing.

[Dogmudgeon]

3. Why I Love Peejay Buchanan

American Conservative is a magazine you should try to get your hands on and photocopy some of the more on-target anti-Bush articles from.

If you can't "convert" a Freeper, the least you can do is to let him (or her) know that us libbruls aren't the only ones who think that Team Bush is using the Constitution for toilet paper.

--bkl