Newt Writes a Howler
Written by Mike on October 7th, 2005Newt Gingrich inadvertently proves why we can’t have Miers:
Conservatives should feel confident with the selection of Harriet Miers to replace Sandra Day O’Connor on the Supreme Court for a simple reason: George W. Bush selected her.
Come on Newt. I know you meant this in a good way, but it had the opposite effect. The whole argument for supporting Miers is that we should “just trust our President”, nice try but no dice.
Much has been made in the press about conservative unhappiness with the White House on issues such as spending and immigration and most recently with the selection of Ms. Miers. However, while these tensions are not insignificant, the president has stayed remarkably true to conservative principles on every major decision he has made since winning the Republican primary.
What!? Newt, Bush has not stayed “remarkably true to conservative principles on every major decision”. The deficit is not conservative, the Medicare bill was not conservative, the highway bill was not conservative, in fact President Bush has governed much like his father did.
Read the whole thing, just don’t laugh too hard.
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PM
I think you are wrong Mike. Bush has stayed true to conservatism on the big issues of the day, such as tax cuts, social security and the war on terror - that’s all Gingrich is arguing. But no one denies Bush is spending too much and has not adequately addressed the immigration issue. But on the issues of lasting importance, Bush has always come through for conservatives.
Gingrich is right: Miers is probably a good pick. Although, I still think we could have done much better. No doubt, the Miers nomination was a profound letdown for conservatives.
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PM
It looks like Bush had successful phone calls with all of the influential conservative voices - and got them to voice their support.
I heard James Dobson spouting pro-Bush rhetoric on his show and now Gingrich. Looks like Bush has gotten most of the well known conservatives to address the media and defend his pick.