That Bush Guy (Remember Him?) On The Primaries
The Core Principles Thing
By Dan McLaughlin Posted in 2008 | 2008 Presidential Campaign | George W. Bush — Comments (33) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »
A rare comment from President Bush on how he would evaluate the 2008 candidates:
"What's important to me will be this: the principles by which people will make decisions, Bush said. What one needs to be the president is a "firm set of principles to guide you... and I would be very hesitant to support somebody who relied upon opinion polls and focus groups to define a way forward for our president," he added.
Bush said he'd ask candidates, "What are the principles that you would stand on, in good times and bad times? What would be the underpinning of your decisions?"
He said a president needs to be consistent, and needs to understand how non-issues can develop into big issues.
President Bush said he'd also ask the candidates about who they'll surround themselves with for advice.
Given the complexity of the world and the number of issues confronting the president, Bush said he'd ask, "How do you intend to set up your Oval Office so that people will come in and give you their advice?"
There's "a great expectation in the world" that the United States should "take the lead" on issues, he said.
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That Bush Guy (Remember Him?) On The Primaries 33 Comments (0 topical, 33 editorial, 0 hidden) Post a comment »
It's clear that talk about "principles" automatically makes you worry about defending Romney....not a good thing.
...that automatically makes people worry about defending Romney.
automatically makes people assume he saw this as a jab at Romney. I think it was most likely in response to Huckabee, since he was just asked right before about his comments. He probably didn't want to attack Huck directly but felt that his "bunker mentality" insult was based on what Huck thinks the american people want to hear.
If anything there seems to be more evidence that Bush's family supports Romney (not that it's strong evidence)- many of Jebs supporters support Romney, Bush sr. introducing him at the faith in america speech, etc.
* PRIESTCRAFT is thus defined: “The stratagem and frauds of priests; fraud or imposition in religious concerns. Management of selfish and ambitious priests to gain wealth and power, or to impose upon the credulity of others.”
For my part, I've been flogging the "principled positions" horse for a long time.
"No compromise with the main purpose, no peace till victory, no pact with unrepentant wrong." - Winston Churchill
Just to be clear - I don't find your posts annoying, or obnoxious in any way. You are thoughtful, articulate, etc. However, I think it is crystal clear that you don't like Romney; that was my point.
* PRIESTCRAFT is thus defined: “The stratagem and frauds of priests; fraud or imposition in religious concerns. Management of selfish and ambitious priests to gain wealth and power, or to impose upon the credulity of others.”
Your posts are articulate, detailed, well-formated, and rhetorically tempered.
They're also sometimes overreaching and plagued with weak links, which makes them good target practice.
I think the same thing I do re: Romney about George H. W. Bush, W. Bush - both of whom I steadfastly supported. The Bushes aren't "principled conservatives" either.
Also, I'd throw Gerald Ford and Nixon in there too, although I was too young for those cats.
“.....women and minorities hardest hit”
GWB is really one of the last people who should be setting down standards for "principled conservatism".
Unless you have the magic version of the above manuscript, it isn't there. What he said is "principles" -- and there's little doubt that Bush has those. Is he a conservative? More often than not -- but definitely *not* on several important things. That being said, he's pretty much governed as he campaigned with regard to big-government programs from start to finish.
But he has puts polls ahead of principles. There's plenty of examples of that. The steel tariffs are a pretty obvious example.
It is kind if ridiculous to think any politician is always going to follow his principles, political ramifications be d*mned. It's more important to know how to pick your fights and when to spend your political capital.
---
Underlying most arguments against the free market is a lack of belief in freedom itself. - Milton Friedman
I didn't see a mention of Principled Conservatism, just Principles. I believe he's talking about the ability to withstand opinion in good times and bad because your core beliefs don't come from polls and focus groups, they come from God. I believe he's talking about Huckabee.
Governor Huckabee for President.
Yeah, because its always about Huckabee
These ideas sound so familiar. Where have I heard them?
They're certainly entitled to think that, and they're entitled to full respect for their opinions... but before I can live with other folks I've got to live with myself. The one thing that doesn't abide by majority rule is a person's conscience.~Harper L.
We may not necessarily want the endorsement.
The guy beat Al Gore and John Kerry. While I favor Fred, he can't carry GWB shoes.
Envisioning when all that is Left is the Right.
--the Kennedy education bill
--McCain-Feingold's rape of the first amendment
--Medicare prescription entitlement
--a broken veto pen
--Homeland Security Dept
--'I heart that Putin guy!'
--'China, please give us our aircrew back that you knocked out of the sky over neutral water'
--all too many years of Scott McClellan as the spokesman for the Executive Branch
--Harriet Miers as a reward to long-suffering conservatives who fought for decades to get a GOP president and Senate
--Al Gonzales *cough*nepotism*cough*
--more Al Gonzales
Yes, brother, you be sure and lecture us about standing on principle.
Stare decisis is fo' suckas -- Feddie
Stare decisis is fo' suckas -- Feddie
and 50,000,000 purple fingers.
Envisioning when all that is Left is the Right.
His tenacity on the GWOT is a bright and shining star. I dig the tax cuts too. I'm just saying I don't want a lecture from the guy on sticking to principles since his idea was sacrificing MOST principles for the sake of a couple of highest principles.
Stare decisis is fo' suckas -- Feddie
Envisioning when all that is Left is the Right.
I didn't even mention that he gave us Alito only after we (conservatives) tied him to the train tracks.
Stare decisis is fo' suckas -- Feddie
Envisioning when all that is Left is the Right.
does not equal "put him on Mt Rushmore".
Stare decisis is fo' suckas -- Feddie
Envisioning when all that is Left is the Right.
"No compromise with the main purpose, no peace till victory, no pact with unrepentant wrong." - Winston Churchill
It's a Rorschach. The term principal is so general that the listener can take from it whatever he wants. The administration should let the candidates fight this out for themselves. Anyway, I'm not sure any of them want to be seen as Bush’s anointed successor even in the primaries.
Kind of odd that he is ripping on himself in such a public way.
---
Underlying most arguments against the free market is a lack of belief in freedom itself. - Milton Friedman
I have to agree with one of the comments above. He never said "conservative" principles. He was saying that a person's principles must guide them.
I disagree with many things that he's done while he's been in office, many of you have pointed those out already. But how can any of us say that he hasn't followed his principles without knowing his thought processes during decision-making or for that matter knowing exactly what his principles are.
If he believes he's followed his principles then I believe he has. I just believe his principles, at times, led him to do things very differently than I would have liked.
Vote for Fred "Conservative Principles" Thompson
It reminded me why I voted for the guy and why he is still better than the motley crew trying to replace him.
Envisioning when all that is Left is the Right.
is not enamored of unmoving objects, but boulders and oaks tend to have a more lasting impact than dandelions.
soli Deo gloria
You may be right. I don't think Romney is a committed conservative *ideologue* the way I view Fred Thompson. But, his positions square with mine for the most part.
If Fred shows a little more winning potential, I'll jump back on board, but that hasn't happened yet.
“.....women and minorities hardest hit”