The latest conservative that is so upset with Bush is Bruce Bartlett, author of the new book "Impostor: How George W. Bush Bankrupted America and Betrayed the Reagan Legacy."
Both Bartlett and conservative Andrew Sullivan appeared at a conservative forum. As the Washington Post tells us, it turned into a full-blown Bush-bashing party. Bartlett threw out words like "unconscionable," "irresponsible," "vindictive" and "inept." Andrew Sullivan, also the author of a conservative-complaint-book that is forthcoming, "The Conservative Soul: How We Lost It; How to Get It Back," said that Bush is "reckless" and "a socialist." He said Bush betrayed "almost every principle conservatism has ever stood for."
These 2 are but the latest in a long series of "conservatives" that are criticizing the administration. Even William Buckley and William Kristol, men in the upper reaches of conservatism, are whining. It sure sounds like a revolt. But, don't you believe it. It's the sound of opportunists unloading on their unfortunate bretheren in order to save themselves.
Where was Bartlett during the 5 years Bush has performed? All this time when Bush was being "unconscionable," "irresponsible," "vindictive" and "inept," what did Bartlett do? At the forum Bartlett said:
"If Bush were running today against Bill Clinton, I'd vote for Clinton."
Nonsense. This a pure hypothetical and thus meaningless. Bartlett is the "imposter." Where was he in 2004? Why did he not speak up when something could be done? He was probably writing some of the stuff being published now. Now he can call himself a "conservative." If he had said the same things in 2004, the Republicans would have kicked him out of the party. As someone who worked for Reagan, he likes the Republican Party.
Where was Sullivan during those 5 years? He was very much gung-ho about the Iraq War. He did, however, express reservations about government spending for some time.
Where were all the "conservatives" when war was declared against Iraq in order to do some nation building?
Where were all the "conservatives" when Bush declared some unfortunate people "enemy combatants" and stored them away in Guantanamo Bay?
Where were all the "conservatives" - Sullivan is an exeption here - when Bush made torture legal?
Where were all the "conservatives" when the lobbyists on K Street became another appendage to the Republican Party?
Where were all the "conservatives" when Bush declared he is above the law?
Where were all the "conservatives" when Congress passed the energy pork-barrel bill with millions of dollars in "earmarks"?
Where were they? I have no idea. They were enjoying success. Now they are scared. There's an election coming up. They need to show the public that their only concern is for the good of the Republic.
You call this a "conservative" revolt? It's a cave-in by scared people who do not want to lose their influence.
Who do you think these "conservatives" will vote for in 2006? The same corrupt Republicans. Who do you think they will vote for in 2008? Another "imposter," John McCain, no doubt.
We don't need a conservative revolt. We need a revolt against a Republican Party instigated by a revived Democratic Party.
Comment here.
