I’m surprised no one has posted about the now-defeated Coburn Amendments. Just goes to show the true decline of sane Senators.

A lame first post, I know, but I’m just getting my feet wet.

Hat tip to RedState.

President Bush’s nomination of Harriet Miers to the Supreme Court was the “spark” that instiagted an already brewing conservative backlash. It’s now become quite fashionable to jump on the “Bush is a sellout” bandwagon, and lambast the president’s unconservative, big government ventures such as the prescription drug benefit, lax immigration laws, NCLB and the transportation act. While I am deeply disappointed with Ms. Miers’ potential ascendancy to the Court, as well as Bush’s increased federal spending, I’m not ready to give up on this administration or overlook its historic accomplishments - in domestic and foreign affairs. I believe in adopting an aggregate, “big picture” analysis. I firmly believe that, in the final analysis, President Bush will be remembered as one of America’s greatest conservative presidents. I realize it’s an unpopular position amid these times of crisis, but Bush has demonstrated that he must never be “misunderestimated.”

Fred Barnes and Peggy Noonan support such assertions in the Weekly Standard and today’s Wall Street Journal.

1) Here is Fred Barnes’ recap of Bush’s conservatism. I think its irrefutable:

“Bush, of course, is a conservative, but a different kind of conservative. His tax cuts, support for social issues, hawkish position on national security and terrorism, and rejection of the Kyoto protocols make him so. He’s also killed the ABM and Comprehensive Test Ban treaties, kept the United States out of the international criminal court, defied the United Nations, and advocated a shift in power from Washington to individuals through an “ownership society.” On some issues–partial privatization of Social Security is the best example–he is a bolder conservative than Ronald Reagan, the epitome of a conventional conservative.”

Again, no one claims that Bush has totally held the line on conservatism. His prescription drug bill and the transportation act are just a few examples of his big gvernment tendencies. However, in the final, “big picture’ analysis Bush’s positive conservative accomplishments will overshadow his political mistakes.

2) Peggy Noonan offers hope to all conservatives today to stay the course with President Bush. In the 1980’s Bush overcame lifelong alcoholism. He set aside his pride and took a long and hard look at his alcohol-ridden life. He accepted his faults and shortcomings, and turned to Christianity. In doing so, he drastically changed his life, for he would become President of the United States a mere 14 years later. Noonan argues that President Bush is capable of such a dramatic re-examination and reversal today. While his administration has much to be proud of, President Bush must accept the fact that he has made poor decisions that have rightfully angered his conservative base. He must be willing to start anew - the same way he defeated alcoholism in 1986:

“George W. Bush has guts. He will withstand the disapproval of the world to do what he thinks is right. He’ll do it when he’s wrong, too. He often has too many pots on the stove, but he can stand the heat and he will stay in the kitchen. He is an emotional man, and his emotions are readily accessible . . . In 1986, George W. Bush reached a crisis point in his life and changed what wasn’t working. He dug deep and got serious. He got humble. He questioned himself. He can do it again, and should. ”

I’m not giving up on President Bush. He has already set forth a solid conservative record. With some soul-searching and rethinking of the past 4 years, I believe the president can find his political groove again and regain the trust of conservatives. I believe he will make the necessary course corrections, and solidify his presidency as one for the ages.

It may be easy and popular to attack Bush now, but in the final analysis the president - as always - will have the last laugh.