How can people still support Bush when his own party is beginning to distance themselves from him?

Question

More and more republicans are beginning to say that the Iraq war is a mistake and we shouldn't send any more troops there. The majority of Congress has told him he's making a big mistake. Yet he's going to do whatever he wants. I thought this was a democracy? Please, explain this to me. I'm not in it for Bush-bashing, I want real answers. That's the point of this forum, right?

Answer 1

Imagine what happens if we actually succeed. Those of us who supported staying strong in our fight will look pretty smart.

Just a history lesson: Lincoln faced much opposition in his war against succession and slavery. Teddy faced opposition in his fight for conservation as well as other social issues. FDR faced opposition and low approval in his decision to oppose the Nazis. Truman had approval ratings as low as Bush in reaction to his doctrine.

Bush does not belong in this list of greats b/c he has too often caved to political pressure, not b/c he isn't currently buying into the pressure to cut and run. If he did, you would find just as much or more criticism for that decision as you do now for the surge.

We are a democracy, and our constitution grants the office of the presidency powers in order to defend our great nation. I haven't always agreed with how he's run the war, but running war is messy and should not be run on political tides. Fortunately, that was understood by the authors of our constitution.

Answer 2

Look the only that loses with this attitude is the USA at home and abroad. I think that by dividing the country in a war like they all are doing is as bad as contributing with the enemy. All this will tell you that the only true and honest politicians in Congress and in Washington is Mr. Joe Lieberman that he doesn't hide to say what it take about the war in Iraq. I do say that I as a Republican and an American, I will trust my life to this man in any battle or in any place, I will go to sleep in peace in his watch. He's the only true American, Democrat and politician that is in Washington right now. He have proved himself in Congress and during the election, when everybody in his party turn their back on him, he didn't gave up and kept all of his conviction about the war in Iraq, all by himself and the people that trusted him went forward and won the elections in his state, that is courage that the rest of these politicians have to learn and have. The world and our enemies are watching and our leaders in Washington act like kids,, thinking about their personal gains and not the security of our land, they want our soldiers to die for them but they will not die for America. What a shame and the majority of them want to be President of the United States of America.. How could they, when they have a yellow line running on their spine. Do you believe this. I do..

Answer 3

With an approaching election, it is normal for members of congress to distance themselves from the President. Many of these people are planning to run for President, and feel, rightly or wrongly that the war has become unpopular and are either supporting or distancing themselves from President Bush based on that.

As far as President Bush goes, he is the President of the United States, and The Commander-In-Chief of US Forces, it is his job to protect and defend our country. While you may agree or disagree, it is his job, and he's doing what he and his advisers feel is best for the country.

My personal feelings don't matter, but I will say that this forum is used far too often for bashing and not sharing and learning. Thanks

Answer 4

well, perhaps you should have worked harder for the kerry campaign if you dont like the way things are going. Bush is the president and where does it say that he has to do what congress or the American people want? The people reelected him in a fair election in 04 and he can do what he sees fit. Every president does things that are unpopular, like going to war, raising taxes, etc. but if they are elected fairly, what can you do? Perhaps you should read up on the social contract theory. By winning the election in 04, people voluntarily gave him special powers within the gov't to do what he wishes on their behalf, within legal means of course. And it is not illegal to disagree with congress and the american people on issues. Look at the Iranian hostage crisis, for example. The entire American public wanted Jimmy Carter to retaliate with force, but he refused and was crushed by Reagan. The system works and just because you dont like how things are doing and the majority of Americans dont doesnt mean that we are now in a dictatorship. That is offensive to people that fight to preserve this great system that we have.

Answer 5

I don't know, it looks pretty bleak for him.

One of my Senators (Sen. Gordon Smith) was the pretty much the first to speak out against him. The news likes to run the line "...it may even be criminal." He became my favorite Republican that day, not because of what exactly he said, but because he said it. Now there are several Senators and Representatives publicly coming out against Iraq.

Believe it or not, I actually think that losing the Congress was good for them. This way, the Republican Congressmen, who are from all over the country with all different political views, can now freely say what they want to say, and support of oppose whatever bill they please, and they don't have to worry about losing any ground for Bush on Iraq.

Answer 6

a similar reason Gore distanced himself from Clinton. purely one Republican has a distinctive stand on the conflict than Bush and that's Ron Paul and he's a shaggy dog tale to the customary public of republicans and every person over 23.

Answer 7

I support him in some things and not others. Frankly I feel he went into Iraq and tried to win on the cheap. We should have given all their cities the Dresden treatment and then bull dozed the whole rotten place, killed all the people and then shipped all those getting a goivernment check and too lazy to work over there to built the 51st state.

Answer 8

It is an element of society that sides with fatalism, always. People who sided with a position in the beginning, but instead of growing as new facts unfold, they decide to "stay the course." Bush is a fatalist, as are the people who remain loyal to his illogical cause.

Answer 9

I am waiting for his Veto. Waiting to see what happens when 2/3rds of Congress overrides it.