Like Rich, I thought the president did pretty well with Russert on Sunday–maybe better
than pretty well. For anyone who did not already hate the president, I think
the interview would have been a plus. That said, let me add my 2 cents on the
critical tone of The Corner. It seems to ordinary folks like my Dad that Bush
has completely abandoned all conservative/libertarian principles on the
domestic front. If the White House does not wake up and realize the damage it
has already done by triangulating, it will indeed undercut Bush’s chance to
survive to fight the war in a second term.
Any single transgression can be explained away but the sum total cannot. For
example, the problem with the campaign-finance bill is not that it was a bad bill. It is that it was unconstitutional and Bush ran
against the bill–then flipped. The problem with the education bill is not
just that it was written by Ted Kennedy, but that it abandoned the principles
of reform that the President campaigned on–then flipped. Ditto the
prescription-drug bill–another flip. “Compromised” away were the principles
that made candidate Bush better than Al Gore for many who voted for him.
I am not sure what the White House can do about this at this late date.
Complaining about conservative/libertarian complaints will not get it done.
Ask Bush I. Conservative/libertarian pundits are merely the messenger. The
White House’s problem are not with this Corner but with those
who voted for GWB who think that his actions speak louder than his words.