The balanced budget proposal was also good, even though he has already announced it.

I think he missed an opportunity to lay down ground rules to the Democrats. I would have liked for him to announce plainly and emphatically that any tax increase will be vetoed without a second thought, any bill that spends more than he asks will be vetoed, any form of socialized health care will be vetoed. That is just what I think though.

Overall, I liked the speech.

So allow me to propose a scenario.

George Wallace was an impressive politician. He was authentic.

Yet I do not support Wallace’s policies in any way. In fact I find them morally abhorrent and repugnant.

Bull Moose is not a Democrat. The President is a dumbass, and has been one for most of his life.

You are unable to admit that because you are all wrapped-up in the “He’s a good Christian, therefore I support anything he says” Kool-Aide.

Need I point out that phased redeployment and increased diplomatic efforts actually is an alternative plan. Or how about the fact that the overwhelming number of Republicans on this very blog are in agreement with me regarding the troop surge proposal?

See ‘blind loyalty’ …

“In contrast, I was VERY impressed by Senator Jim Webb. WOW is all I can say. He seemed authentic.”

As for viable alternatives to the troop surge, where are they? If the Democrats have them, why don’t they spend their TV and radio time espousing those ideas and trying to build support for them? Instead they go on TV and they continue their contrarian strategy.

Your point about that this is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their party is absolutly an indication of your foolishness.

Now is the time for all great men and women to come to the aid of their country. Raising questions about the President’s proposals and challenging the administration’s conclusions are in context with doing what is right for the country.

Those who blindly accept his assertions and just follow are abdicating their responsibility to the public.

We are at a serious crossroads as a country. Now is not the time for blind dogmatic party loyalty, but rather to set aside party and focus on what is good and right for America.

Suppose Bush said we should limit our breathing time to 15 minutes a day or some other ridiculous policy. He kept saying it and his numbers, and the GOP’s, plummeted to abysmal levels. “Aiding the party” wouldn’t include continuing to support that policy.

Now there is a similar situation today. You can figure it out.

And, hence, the problem with politics today.

I’m a good Democrat, but if a Republican offers a good idea then I’ll say so. Blind loyalty and ideological purity is foolish and counterproductive.

Blind support for a President is not a requirement to be a Republican.

I believe in a balanced budget amendment with a 2/3 majority required to allow deficit spending.

I believe that we should have comprehensive and major tax overhaul at the federal, state, and local level. We need a systematic dialogue as to how we fund the role of government.

If I sound like a Democrat just because I do not agree with President Bush or the Congressional Republicans then I would submit it is them who have moved away from the tenents of the party and not me.

For heaven’s sake, I voted for Steve Forbes in the 1996 primaries, John McCain in 2000 primaries, and finally Bush in 2000 and 2004. I worked for the NRCC for 3+ years.

My Republican card is well established, but blind loyalty is only the policy of a fool.

I will say, however, you can’t have it both ways. You can’t have some saying ‘don’t question the president on national security … he’s the commander-in-chief and he sets policy.’ So when criticism is offered of said policy, it’s not logical to come back with ‘well, why don’t you offer a plan then.’ Either you want those who oppose to pitch new ideas or you don’t.

I’m not sure that blind support for the president is the best qualification for being a Republican. Blind support for the president is one of the reasons we are now in the minority.

We killed it, bro.

And if anyone is still watching any SoftheU punditry, stop and go watch the Australian Open.

It was a little below average address and didn’t really do much to rally the country to the challenges of our times.

I wish we had more Senators and Representatives like Johnny Isakson who can decipher the political games and come up with common sense compromise on legislation. In looking at some of the Republicans and knowing that they had so many years in the Majority to address some of the issues that Bush mentioned, I can’t help but to question their commitment and sincerity.

Let me remind readers that the ENTIRE REPUBLICAN GEORGIA DELEGATION in the US House voted AGAINST earmark reform.

In contrast, I was VERY impressed by Senator Jim Webb. WOW is all I can say. He seemed authentic.