Tangled Web
The headline says it all: "Bush Pledges Vigorous Fight to Retain Republican Control of Congress." (Or go here if you don't have a subscription.)
Basically, President Bush will run the same offense he's been running since 2000: Democrats are weak, Republicans are strong.
Problem is, the Democrats haven't had any real power in 6 years, and they haven't held any significant control of Congress since 1995. That means that every domestic and foreign fiasco can be attributed to the Republican Party.
Now Bush says his party is one of the future, but ideas like anti-abortion laws, anti-flag burning laws and anti-gay marriage amendments sound like songs the Republicans have played before. And the party has been against programs like Social Security and Affirmitive Action since their respective inceptions, so there's nothing new here either.
Truly, breaking "new ground" would include things like making a serious effort to become independent on foreign oil and foreign debt, creating universal health care, and challenging any nation/country/state who practices genocide. But the Republicans don't have those kind of balls.
On the other side of the aisle, the Democrats are still trying to find there way. Should they bring back Gore or Kerry for one last hurrah (something Democrats have never traditionally done)? Do they go for a Clinton redux with Hillary and Bill switching roles? Do they roll the dice on Clark, Warner or Feingold? So many options, so little unity. If only some of them would bite the bullet and make the sacrifice to hold the fort in Congress, they may have a chance. But if they are going to use Bush's unpopularity in the polls and the mediocre results of his party as a platform, Democrats may find themselves "planning" yet again for the next election cycle.
Bottom line: At this point, the last thing Bush should be doing is "leading the charge" to the November elections. Doesn't he know that most Republicans running inn November only want his cash, not his visage?
P.S. :I think it's also telling that he gave this speech at an RNC fundraiser; his base is all he has to give speeches to. I guess he's hoping that they'll forget how he backtracked off the Terri Schiavo incident, decided to make a general the head of the CIA, and promote an immigration plan many Republican leaders in Congress have labeled "amnesty."
Basically, President Bush will run the same offense he's been running since 2000: Democrats are weak, Republicans are strong.
Problem is, the Democrats haven't had any real power in 6 years, and they haven't held any significant control of Congress since 1995. That means that every domestic and foreign fiasco can be attributed to the Republican Party.
Now Bush says his party is one of the future, but ideas like anti-abortion laws, anti-flag burning laws and anti-gay marriage amendments sound like songs the Republicans have played before. And the party has been against programs like Social Security and Affirmitive Action since their respective inceptions, so there's nothing new here either.
Truly, breaking "new ground" would include things like making a serious effort to become independent on foreign oil and foreign debt, creating universal health care, and challenging any nation/country/state who practices genocide. But the Republicans don't have those kind of balls.
On the other side of the aisle, the Democrats are still trying to find there way. Should they bring back Gore or Kerry for one last hurrah (something Democrats have never traditionally done)? Do they go for a Clinton redux with Hillary and Bill switching roles? Do they roll the dice on Clark, Warner or Feingold? So many options, so little unity. If only some of them would bite the bullet and make the sacrifice to hold the fort in Congress, they may have a chance. But if they are going to use Bush's unpopularity in the polls and the mediocre results of his party as a platform, Democrats may find themselves "planning" yet again for the next election cycle.
Bottom line: At this point, the last thing Bush should be doing is "leading the charge" to the November elections. Doesn't he know that most Republicans running inn November only want his cash, not his visage?
P.S. :I think it's also telling that he gave this speech at an RNC fundraiser; his base is all he has to give speeches to. I guess he's hoping that they'll forget how he backtracked off the Terri Schiavo incident, decided to make a general the head of the CIA, and promote an immigration plan many Republican leaders in Congress have labeled "amnesty."
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