Sometimes people like me in Northeastern PA don't know what to make of Bush. We get stories like this one from Capitol Hill Blue:GOP leaders told Bush that his hardcore push to renew the more onerous provisions of the act could further alienate conservatives still mad at the President from his botched attempt to nominate White House Counsel Harriet Miers to the Supreme Court. "I don't give a goddamn," Bush retorted. "I'm the President and the Commander-in-Chief. Do it my way." Mr. President, one aide in the meeting said. "There is a valid case that the provisions in this law undermine the Constitution."
"Stop throwing the Constitution in in my face," Bush screamed back. "It's just a goddamned piece of paper!"
Then the Newsweek article about the the boy in the bubble that Simply Left Behind broke down. Why won't he talk to Jack Murtha, a guy who wants to talk to him?
Jack Murtha still can't figure out why the father and son treated him so differently. Every week or so before the '91 gulf war, President George H.W. Bush would invite Congressman Murtha, along with other Hill leaders, to the White House. "He would listen to all the bitching from everybody, Republicans and Democrats, and then he would do what he thought was right." A decorated Vietnam veteran, ex-Marine Murtha was a critical supporter for the elder Bush on Capitol Hill. "I led the fight for the '91 war," he says. "I led the fight, for Christ's sake."
Then he finally talks about the human toll of this conflict:"I would say 30,000 more or less have died as a result of the initial incursion and the ongoing violence against Iraqis," the president said. " We"ve lost about 2,140 of our own troops in Iraq."
And tens of thousands maimed for life. There are many plans out there to get our people out. The US can't occupy a country forever.
legal formalities and such seem to trip up W...
ReplyDeleteAnd for all the talk coming from the GOP about the culture of life, W throws out the 30k Iraqis and 2100 US soldiers as if they are abstractions... so much for the santity of life.
It looks to His Holiness that Karl Rove may feel that the pressure is off of him. My own belief, but it seems that Bush is beginning to get back on track. HIs approval rating is rising among his base and white collar males. ALso, a recent poll, though showing discontent with the President, had him dead even with John Kerry if another election were held today. This says a lot about the state of things. He has time to deal with the horrible response to Katrina and if he can swing the war around--winning with smoke and mirrors with a move to at least a partial withdrawal--he can regain faith with the moderate voters. Let's face it--there was no further down that Bush could have gone--and after seeing his performance with NBC's Brian WIlliams yesterday--and viewing his latest speech on the war--His Holiness predicts that Bush has his mojo back and that Rick Santorum will go to the dance again with him when the elections are in full swing.
ReplyDeleteBush's disapprovals in PA are at 59%... if Rick dances with that, he loses. Bush's disapprovals haven't been below 50% since his reelection. He's sealed his fate here already. Regardless of national numbers, Rick runs here. If Bush isn't doing well here, Rick needs to find another approach.
ReplyDeleteTruth be told, I think Bush' national numbers will rise and fall inversely to gas prices. Right now they are stable and fairly low. In spring, who knows.