Newt Gingrich has an interesting piece here.
He discusses Bush's options - forming a coalition with the Left, or with the Right and conservative Dems. Gingrich also offers some interesting insight from the Reagan era.
While it's too soon to judge, clearly Bush's early statement on immigration suggests he would pursue that issue with the more liberal members of Congress. That will be destructive for the GOP but seems to be what Bush has in his head. Presumably he thinks he knows what's better for America than the base.
My problem isn't so much with amnesty. It's that without a primary focus on enforcement and a fence, we probably aren't going to get it. If Bush tries to roll the base with BS on those issues, he experience the wrath of the Right. Unfortunately, I'm not sure he cares.
As for other issues - going this way and that might not work out too well. Each choice he makes will bring enemies, as well as friends. And politicians have a long memory. With Bush's choice of Martinez for the RNC ... I'm not sure I'm looking forward to what he'll be up to for the next two years.
The Republicans need to be more inclusive. But it should build its base on principle, not pandering to big business, or various ethnic groups. All Americans appreciate conservative government. I would like to hope that's what Bush will ultimately choose to stand for in the White House. But that is merely a hope.
Check out the link above, it's a good read.
-- Presumably he thinks he knows what's better for America than the base.--
Well let's hope so because the base has proven they don't know much, having just lost the election for the rest of us because of their hardliner stance on immigration. The problem with neo-rights is that they think they are "the base." They think they know best and truth be told they think George W. Bush is even dumber than the nutrooters do. The President's "base" are far more reasonable, more moderate, and tend to the common sense approaches and the pragmatic. President Bush is old school Reagan and has about as much in common with the elitism of the neo-right referred to as "the base" as he has with Kos Kiddies. George Bush has a quality that drives both the loony left and the neo-right batty. He actually cares about what is best for America and strives for that. Rather than operate as an ideologue, he operates from principle. He will form coalitions as needed to advance those principles. A sign of a good leader is his ability to form coalitions with very different factions to advance principles that benefit all. Our President doesn't care where the very best ideas come from as long as he is convinced they are the very best ideas after considering all sides. And he doesn't even need the credit or crowing rights -- a trait that "the base" should try to develop.
It would certainly be a good idea if a few of the more vocal "base" would stop being in love with their own voices and think about Reagan's 11th commandment. It is expected that the Kos Kiddies want to inflict damage on the President, but they don't need to say a word when the neo-right is doing such a damn fine job. From my vantage point, the President's biggest enemies have already thrown down the gauntlet from inside the neo-right base.
Oh, and Mel Martinez was chosen for one very important reason, the base that prides itself on knowing everything should be able to figure that out. Until they do, they should stop trashing the man and let him at least get into the job. This constant belittling of good people is getting very annoying to all those who support the party and the President. You know, those who aren't really smart enough to be part of "the base" but vote nonetheless.
Posted by: Sara (Squiggler) | Friday, November 17, 2006 at 01:10 AM
Well thought, use less words.
Posted by: Steel | Friday, November 17, 2006 at 02:02 AM
Banal logorrhea. Even from Newt.
Bush is an armadillo. He just happens to be on his back with all four legs aimed at heaven on some lonely country road center line.
Time to shut up and acknowledge the man for being honest. He'll right himself when the next Dixie-flagged pick-up truck flies by.
Posted by: Phoenix | Friday, November 17, 2006 at 02:11 AM