Is Bush trying to get Republicans voted out of office? - cougarguard.com — unofficial BYU Cougars / LDS sports, football, basketball forum and message board

Cali Coug · 02-22-2006, 04:31 AM

One of Bush's greatest strengths throughout his presidency could ultimately also be his downfall: his refusal to change course in public unless he absolutely has to.

For a while, that characteristic led Americans to claim that Bush was a strong leader, particularly in the war on terror. Now, that characteristic is simply digging a deeper hole for Republicans to crawl out of come midterm election time.

With Katrina, Bush held onto Brown for FAR too long. It was clear, or should have been, that the guy was in WAY over his head. Yet Bush continued to heap the praise on Brown and New Orleans and other southern areas suffered as a result. Now he is sticking with Chertoff, despite the fact that Chertoff appears equally as incompetent as Brown. Listening to Brown and Chertoff have their lovers' spat in public cannot bring a smile to Bush's face.

Bush went with Miers for the Supreme Court, and only abandoned her when sticking with her would have been political suicide. Even then, her withdrawal was made to appear like it was her decision, not Bush's (absurd).

Cheney is a tremendous liability for the administration, yet Bush sticks with him.

Now, the port deal. There is NO WAY Bush comes out on top on this one. Even assuming for the sake of argument that Bush has a worthy position on the issue, it is not a position that can be explained in any sensible manner to the American public. The media and his own party will eat him alive before the port deal with UAE can ever succeed. Bush has now threatened to veto any attempts to eliminate UAE control over some of our largest ports. Where are Rove, Rice, and Card right now? How can they not be telling Bush that he is on the path to political suicide? There is ZERO chance this turns out favorably for Bush.

Bush's attitude has really hurt him. He had two strong areas to stand on: leadership and security. He is effectively losing both. Katrina seriously damaged perception of his leadership. This, coupled with borders as porous as ever, is killing his security stance.

Republicans running for Congress must be in a panic.

MikeWaters · 02-22-2006, 04:45 AM

it's obvious that Bush's official lame duck status has already started. Repub. congressmen have already turned on him.

Look at Frist positioning himself in opposition to Bush. I don't think any repub will run for pres in 08 under the banner of continuing the Bush regime.

I think America would like a different approach, and we may see a bit of that feeling in the midterms.

02-22-2006, 04:31 AM	#1
Cali Coug Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 5,996	Is Bush trying to get Republicans voted out of office? One of Bush's greatest strengths throughout his presidency could ultimately also be his downfall: his refusal to change course in public unless he absolutely has to. For a while, that characteristic led Americans to claim that Bush was a strong leader, particularly in the war on terror. Now, that characteristic is simply digging a deeper hole for Republicans to crawl out of come midterm election time. With Katrina, Bush held onto Brown for FAR too long. It was clear, or should have been, that the guy was in WAY over his head. Yet Bush continued to heap the praise on Brown and New Orleans and other southern areas suffered as a result. Now he is sticking with Chertoff, despite the fact that Chertoff appears equally as incompetent as Brown. Listening to Brown and Chertoff have their lovers' spat in public cannot bring a smile to Bush's face. Bush went with Miers for the Supreme Court, and only abandoned her when sticking with her would have been political suicide. Even then, her withdrawal was made to appear like it was her decision, not Bush's (absurd). Cheney is a tremendous liability for the administration, yet Bush sticks with him. Now, the port deal. There is NO WAY Bush comes out on top on this one. Even assuming for the sake of argument that Bush has a worthy position on the issue, it is not a position that can be explained in any sensible manner to the American public. The media and his own party will eat him alive before the port deal with UAE can ever succeed. Bush has now threatened to veto any attempts to eliminate UAE control over some of our largest ports. Where are Rove, Rice, and Card right now? How can they not be telling Bush that he is on the path to political suicide? There is ZERO chance this turns out favorably for Bush. Bush's attitude has really hurt him. He had two strong areas to stand on: leadership and security. He is effectively losing both. Katrina seriously damaged perception of his leadership. This, coupled with borders as porous as ever, is killing his security stance. Republicans running for Congress must be in a panic.

02-22-2006, 04:45 AM	#2
MikeWaters Demiurge Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 36,365	it's obvious that Bush's official lame duck status has already started. Repub. congressmen have already turned on him. Look at Frist positioning himself in opposition to Bush. I don't think any repub will run for pres in 08 under the banner of continuing the Bush regime. I think America would like a different approach, and we may see a bit of that feeling in the midterms.