Tuesday, June 29, 2004
Bush at a Crossroads
It seems that for the moment, the clouds have parted on what I anticipated would be a cruel summer for W. Iraq is nominally sovereign, he's been out at photo-ops with the G-8 and now NATO (even scoring the victory on NATO training Iraq's Army). In fact, if managed properly, this week could see Bush bottoming out in the polls and beginning a steady climb to electoral victory in November. My advice would be to continue to work with (or at least appear to work with) world leaders on Iraq, focus like a laser beam on the good economic news and stake out some minor policy positions on lagging areas of the economy and avoid divisive social issues like FMA.
Of course, this week could also be just a temporary parting of the clouds. Iraq's sovereignty will be tested and having the interim government declare Marshall law would be a devastating blow, as would focusing on divisive social issues which will alienate moderates, minorities and younger voters. The mantra should be on the Security, both physical and fiscal and the steps a Bush II would do to ensure them...make the convention a true big tent rather than the Potempkin Village it could easily become.
Although as an ardent fiscal conservative and social liberal it will take an enormous amount of work for me to forgive Bush on all his transgressions over the last four years. (Spending, Social conservatism, lingering doubts about WMD, torture, etc.)
One thing is for certain, it will be an interesting month to be an armchair quarterback.
Of course, this week could also be just a temporary parting of the clouds. Iraq's sovereignty will be tested and having the interim government declare Marshall law would be a devastating blow, as would focusing on divisive social issues which will alienate moderates, minorities and younger voters. The mantra should be on the Security, both physical and fiscal and the steps a Bush II would do to ensure them...make the convention a true big tent rather than the Potempkin Village it could easily become.
Although as an ardent fiscal conservative and social liberal it will take an enormous amount of work for me to forgive Bush on all his transgressions over the last four years. (Spending, Social conservatism, lingering doubts about WMD, torture, etc.)
One thing is for certain, it will be an interesting month to be an armchair quarterback.
