Bush cautions GOP to stay open-minded

[Terri]

Bush cautions GOP to stay open-minded

By BEN FELLER
Associated Press
January 12, 2009

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Down to single digits in his days left in office, President George W. Bush is warning the Republican Party not to become "anti-immigrant" as it regroups from defeat and retools its leadership.

"It's very important for our party not to narrow its focus, not to become so inward looking that we drive people away from a philosophy that is compassionate and decent," the departing president said in an interview broadcast Sunday, nine days before his term ends. "My call for our party is to be open-minded."

After Republicans lost control of Congress in 2006, the party took another thumping in November, when Barack Obama won the presidency and Democrats expanded their control of the House and Senate. Bush was not on the ballot either time, but both elections were seen at least partly as a repudiation of him.

[Luckyme]

"It's very important for our party not to narrow its focus, not to become so inward looking that we drive people away from a philosophy that is compassionate and decent," the departing president said

We've tried your way and lost the last couple of elections.

We can argue this point until the cows come home, but the proof is in the lost elections and being in the minority again.

[lpara]

GRRRRRRRRR


Guess what?!! I AM compassionate--I just don't compromise when it comes to the LAW!!!!

I wish he would stop--I'm getting a bad taste in my mouth and I don't want to -- I've been his number one cheerleader in this household -- my head is not I know he's made some POOR decisions, but now I'm starting to get a little

[utexas]

I must admit I had high hopes for Bush II when he became President but wound up very, very disappointed. He was a good governor while he and I both lived in Texas so I expected the same in DC. But I suppose in hindsight it was a heck of a lot easier to be a good governor in an already conservative state, where even the Dimocraps are not as liberal, socialist, or radical as they are in DC, than it was to be one in Washington where you get the fruits and nuts from all over, especially the West Coast and New England.

What worked in Texas in getting along with the more moderate Dims there backfired badly in dealing with the likes of Pelousy, Reid, Frank, Kennedy, Dodd, Rangel, and so on. Kind of like how Ahnold in Kalifornia started out trying to be halfway conservative but got so beaten down by the wild libs of that nutty state that he became just like them. He more or less said, if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em.

I believe each would’ve enjoyed more success and in the long run, popularity, by standing by their principles and standing up for what they believed in instead of ‘crossing the aisle’ to ‘make nice’ with the enemy, an enemy that will devour you and leave no meat on your bones if you let it.

This reminds me of the story of the girl who was sweet-talked by a snake into picking it up. When she did, the snake bit her and she, in surprise, asked it why. The snake said you knew what I was when you picked me up.

While I might like Bush as a very good-hearted and sincere person, who after all did do all he could to keep us safe after 9-11, I am very disillusioned with the rest of his performance in the White House and his turning his back on conservative principles.