GOP Anger: Bush Is Being "Reduced To Child's Play"

US News and World Report printed a short piece about GOP fears that the President's relevance is shrinking beyond already dismal levels.

Allies Worry About President's Schedule

Some of President Bush's allies tell the Political Bulletin they are embarrassed and angry that the White House seems to be wasting Bush's time on frivolous events when much of the country is suffering through economic hard times. "Look at the schedule for Monday," says an outside Bush adviser. "A highlight of his day was witnessing a tee ball game. ... He is being reduced to child's play." The adviser says Bush also signed a supplemental appropriations bill for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan on Monday, but he adds that it didn't get much coverage and that the tee ball game set the wrong tone. There is growing concern among Bush allies that the Democrats will effectively portray the President and GOP candidate John McCain as out of touch. Some GOP insiders now predict that the Republicans will lose at least five seats in the Senate and 15 to 20 in the House, and it could get worse if gasoline prices continue to soar and the public remains in a disgruntled mood.

Comments

[Bettysdad]

While Bush is undoubtedly the worst American President in history, he is undoubtedly the greatest Republican President America has ever had.

GWB has enacted more of the Republican agenda than anyone, where he makes Reagan look like a stoned-out slacker.

The huge mistake Democrats have made these eight years is in blaming Bush for the horrors and disasters going on here and abroad, when those problems are the result of basic, decades-old Republican ideology

The problem isn't Bush; it's each and every Republican.

[watchingthings]

Why do you see bad legislation as a positive thing? Just because bad legislation was passed, does not mean it's good for the country...­......if many people desire it...it must be good legislation. Democracy is.....to be able to, with your friends be able to make a neighborhood that is proud of itself and consequently the people who live there. Nobody is too good but the bad must be made to leave.

[bujeeboo]

If this were a true Democracy, Al Gore would have been president.

[Bettysdad]

I'm sorry if you can't read English; I assumed everyone here did.

I said, in the first sentence, the "worst American President in history, he is undoubtedly the greatest Republican President America has ever had."

Let me know if you still don't understand.

You might want to read the other sentences also. A few times should do it.

[DeliBoy]

He will probably screw up the T ball game. Them man should be behind bars nor forming policy.

[RFBorjal]

Aw, who's there to blame but Bush himself? OK, maybe the American people for electing him not once, but twice.

[NorVaGal]

Absolutely. And, with the very eager help of our "purist" Dems, we're right on schedule to elect McCain to carry on the Republican banner. We'll have no one to blame but ourselves for playing into their games, as usual.

[ADVOCATE4ZPG]

To est. their bona fide, Democrats must ELECT a series of Presidents who do not OFFEND the generally priggish MORES of the "Murkan" people. Accordingly their candidates MAY not come across as ELITIST (c.f., John Kerry.....­) which implies that the Dem. candidate must grasp the notion that MOST of the U.S. citizenry does not want an AMNESTY for ILLEGAL ALIENS and does want a REDUCED LEVEL of all IMMIGRATION. It is ELITIST for the Dem. Party to INSIST that the average, U.S. citizen MOVE OVER and make room for someone else in his econ. and community!

Almost as important, a Dem. President must not seem to be responding LARGELY to the whim of those whose income is UNEARNED--­esp., through special tax treatments for CAPITAL GAINS!

[rmreddicks]

Sadly it seems we're t-ball players up against major league players. They will not be kind to the kids. They have all the useful drug$.

[TheOldSchool]

Well, it would be more accurate to state: the US Supreme Court "selected" Bush for his first term, and the Democrats allowed the Ohio Republicans to steal his second term for him. He was never really elected for any national office.

[adzeman]

"effectively portray as out of touch.." Portray?? Those two DEFINE out of touch. Congress wants nothing from him anymore. They are watching the clock. All the friends he had in other nations are defeated or in jail. The people of the US want him impeached. Sp T-ball is whats left. And McCain is simply a geriatric bush. Low intelligence, underachieving liar.

[SantaFeStars]

Great post nippersdad! After being informed of the 9/11 attack, he was completely immobolized without the instant advice of Cheney. Poor guy didn't have a clue as to how to proceed. And, yes, Katrina was another disaster that wasn't addressed with any sense of urgency. In brief, this administation has been nothing but a horrible nightmare!

[silvertongue]

/what do they expect? His 'Brain' (Rove) retired!

[Kane]

The problem is not that the philosophy of the Republican administration isn't working the way it's supposed to work, the problem is that it is working the way it's supposed to work.

They don't believe that government has a role in solving national problems because they believe that government is the problem. They think we're better off if we just dismantle government.

In the form of tax breaks, everyone is responsible for buying your own health care, your own retirement security, your own child care, your own schools, your own private security forces, your own roads, your own levees.

It is called the Ownership Society, in Washington. But historically there's been another term for it; it's called Social Darwinism. The notion that every man and woman is out for him or herself.

It's a bracing idea; the idea that you're on your own. But there's just one problem, it doesn't work. It ignores our history. Yes, our greatness as a nation is dependent on self-reliance and individual initiative, and a belief in the free market. But it's also dependent on our mutual regard for each other. Our sense that we have a stake in each other's success. That everybody should have a shot at opportunity.

Barack Obama - @ Take Back America Conference 2006
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c19Gobwg60U

[TMAN]

Excellent Kane, nicely put. The Republican philosophy and agenda has succeeded very well over the last 35 or so years. I believe though they as a brand have arrived at a dead end. They completely fail to comprehend the subtlety or the meaning to citizens, of your last paragraph, so well put. That is why as a party, they will be engulphed in the rising public sentiment against them.

[RFBorjal]

Right on the money, Kane. But while the belief in "free market" is well-placed as an economic philosophy, let's remember that it essentially rests on the principle of maximizing self-interest. Being essentially "selfish" and "self-interested", the concept of "mutual regard for each other" is alien to it. In the "free market", the next guy is competition, a threat to my self-interest. But, as you've correctly stated, it is to the highest interest of the nation as a whole that every citizen must have a "sense that we have a stake in each other's success." This cannot be left to the invisible and impersonal hand of the self-interested "free market". It's the role of government, therefore, as the instrument precisely created to promote the common welfare, to level the playing field.

The mistake of the Republican philosophy is to let the principle of "free market" rule all aspects of our national life. Under this regime, the concept of "mutual regard for each other" or the idea of "a sense that we have a stake in each other's success" cannot thrive.

[QueenofSheba]

There is no such thing, except in textbooks, as a free market.

[rmreddicks]

Isn't your final paragraph (before the link) a contradiction of your own terms? Additionally, I would state that altruism is a supposition (a superimposition possibly) of humans and has little basis in overall natural terms. Our "greatness as a nation" relies upon nothing so facile as either of your arguments. That "greatness" may once have been defined as self-reliance and individual initiative (and some supposed belief in the free market) - tell all that to the people who first lived here. Mutual regard for each other lasts no further than community and rarely works on that level. You will have to define success so that we may find & have a stake in the other's. We are more a nation afraid of the other than we are a nation of everybody having a "shot at opportunity".

[Bettysdad]

Exactly, Kane.

A bit further up I post that Bush is the worst AMERICAN President ever, but the greatest REPUBLICAN president.

America has finally seen the truth about Republicans, and the overwhelming majority reject it.

It ain't Bush; it's ALL Republicans.

[pinesol]

It is too bad that the Democrats get their turn in the White House only because the GOP is a great disaster - not because the Democrats are competent or worthy of American people's trust. There is no question that the GOP is all about OIL (Grand Oil Party) and GREED - at the GOP version that has been hijacked by the Neo-cons. Bush is simply a DISGRACE to the entire human grace. He should be reduced to insect level - not just 'child's play'!

[pinesol]

Being compared to 'child's play' isn't that bad. My neighbors let his dog excremates on Bush's portrait.

[crusty]

Great idea for cat box liners! There's a fortune to be made!

[Kane]

As the days unfolded in the aftermath of Katrina, most Americans came to the cold and sobering realization that if they fall victim to natural disaster or ecomonic hardship, the Republicans would not be there to answer their calls for help. Bush, Cheney, McCain and Republicans in congress are constant reminders that we are on our own.

[teacake]

The GOP cared less about the victims of Katrina because the majority of the were black and "liberals". The first thing the came to the GOP minds was "there's money to be made in this disaster", hence Halliburton's immediate involvement in the 'recovery' process. As records have shown, Cheney's buddies in those no-bid contracts overcharged the government (our money!) but did not deliver sufficient help to the victims. The media spun it as 'incompetence' of the Bush government. The reality is it went exactly how they wanted: they had the golden opportunity to ROB the American people blind.

The entire Bush's tenure in the past 8 years has been all about LOOTING of national treasure. I know some of the Republicans are angry about how their party was hijacked by the Neo-cons and looted the nation in their names.

Bush and his Neo-con collaborators MUST FACE appropriate justice and punishments!

[Kassandra]

"There is growing concern among Bush allies that the Democrats will effectively portray the President and GOP candidate John McCain as out of touch."

Duuuh. Ya think? Whenever has been "in touch". He still doesn't believe the American people don't liek him anymore!

[NotWaldo]

After 7 1/2 years of hard work, the have-mores have MORE and the have-less have LESS.

Mission accomplished.

Let him have some fun time. But just don't let him DECIDE anything for the love of God !

[BlueandGreen]

NOW they're worried about their image ... haha! What a hoot.

Speaking of images, he must be getting groomed for bigger and better things because FL's own Gov - Charlie Crist - has suddenly rustled himself up a fiancee. He's been divorced and in the closet for 30 years, so the Rethuglicans had to find a beard for him, STAT! I believe she has two young children ... instant family, how convenient.

You can say what you will about Florida, but living here is NEVER boring. Frequently humiliating but never boring.

[urbangreen]

Who knew! Tell us more about Crist -- the stuff you don't read in the NY Times.

[BlueandGreen]

Crist's sexual preference has been a not-very-well-kept secret in FL for quite awhile. No one would even care if he weren't such a hypocrite about it. You're gay, so what! Of course, as a Republican with his eye on the prize, that public revelation would sink Crist faster than an iceberg hitting the Titanic. So, voila! ... instant wife.

Speaking of which, here's the skinny on the future Mrs. Beard:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25524003/

[BWonka]

Except for early bird dinners and having to go to bed by 8. Oh, and Bingo.

[master09]

I thought Republicans did'nt like gays; this is something to really keep on the front page.

[MoeJava]

Is he "borrowing" Larry Craig's little Missus? That sounds like the exact same bio as Mrs Craig.
Geez, they even marry in lockstep, don't they?

[xrepublican]

Don't worry - you can be sure that Uncle Dick will find SOME way to bomb Iran before Bush leaves office....­.

W's legacy will be Armageddon - the Middle East in flames and a collapsing world economy as oil hits $250 a bbl....wit­h America's economy in tatters and our reputation in the world turned to mud... the nation that once fought for freedom became the nation that denies it, the nation that fought torture, now tortures, the nation that fought for for the common good now acts only to preserve the priviledges of a small wealthy elite.....­.

There's nothing to worry about at all - Bush's legacy as the absolute WORST US President ever, the man who did more to destroy our Constitution than any other in history - THAT legacy is insured.

[michaelgp72]

Well said! Happy 4th Never the less! U.S. still a GREAT COUNTRTY!!!!

[pinkerman2]

I agree with xrepublicanamd michaegop72, but I willnot/cannot celebrate this countries Birthday until I feel some pride in my country again. I was a PATRIOT until the buffoon stole and ruined everything that he touched. I am 77 years of age and really want to feel pride again.befo­re my days are over. I hope that Rice serves her after-life with every other Despot who has ever polluted our beautiful planet.

[GrainOSand]

Child's play for one who sends other people's children into avoidable danger, is it now? Life is not some game it is but a momentary guarantee. Of tomorrow, there are no guarantees. In the now is found any compulsion to deal with tomorrow thus now is preeminent to any other time. People always say the kids are the future and that is true but that future is a direct descendant of Big Daddy and Mommy now!

On September 11, 2001, Americans already harboring disdain for Bush threw aside that disdain and rallied around the leader of a grieving nation. Many were looking to George Bush to represent the nation concerning its tragic sense of loss and its determination and will to keep going and rebuild from the rubble that evil intent created. That patriotic inclination was soon doused as Bush started to represent the American view of justice related to the 9/11 tragedy to the rest of the empathetic world. Many overlooked the cowboy rhetoric of us and them, wanted dead or alive justice, as mangled expression of justified outrage, but cannot forgive the wanton act of illegal war, and the willful acts of shredding the constitution through executive hubris, not order, for the executive branch is very much out of order. No, not child’s play for now remains extremely important regarding tomorrow. America is in Iraq today because of what the electorate and the Supreme Court did (never forget this aspect of George’s tenure) when yesterday was now.