A Third Bush Term

I don't think this is exactly how the GOP wants this election to play out...

WOLF BLITZER: You just heard Congressman Van Hollen say that he represents a third Bush term. You know how unpopular the job approval numbers are right now.

HOUSE GOP WHIP ROY BLUNT: I don't think anybody believes that. I think everybody does believe from his record that here is somebody who has always been willing to complain about the way business was done in Washington. And, frankly, people want to see that...

BLITZER: When it comes to domestic economic issues, what is the major difference between President Bush's policies, what he wants to do, and what John McCain would do if he were president?

BLUNT: Well, I think what John McCain wants to do is continue these pro-growth tax policies that our friends on the other side have been talking...

(CROSSTALK)

BLITZER: But that's what President Bush wants to do too.

BLUNT: And there is nothing wrong with that. There is nothing wrong with that.

BLITZER: So it would be in effect a third Bush term when it came to pro-growth tax policies?

BLUNT: It would be. I think it would be. And I think that's a good thing. You can't go out in the country anywhere and find people who believe that doubling the capital gains rate is a good thing, that raising the highest rate on every small business in America is a good thing, that eliminating those bottom brackets, that mean that people at the lower levels of tax pay less taxes than they would otherwise. In fact, I think one of the reasons that the economy has slowed down the way it has is the fact that there's great uncertainty about how those tax policies move forward.

Let's just highlight that last exchange for posterity.

BLITZER: So it would be in effect a third Bush term when it came to pro-growth tax policies?

BLUNT: It would be. I think it would be. And I think that's a good thing.

Currently, George W. Bush's rating on the economy stands at 27 percent to 28 percent positive, with 70 percent of Americans disapproving of the job that he is doing on economic matters. So if the Republican Party, and even better John McCain, want to hug President Bush on the economy, I'm totally fine with that. In fact, I'd probably be fine with a group -- whether on the right or the left -- running ads quoting House Republican Whip talking about how McCain would represent a third Bush term on the economy. I think that should do the party really well come November...

Tags: 2008, George W. Bush, John McCain (all tags)

Comments

19 Comments

Re: A Third Bush Term

This is incredibly refreshing.  Posts that remind me just how AWFUL McCain will be feel like a breath of fresh air after being underwater for a LONG time.  I know there is a lot of concern diarying right now about Obama electability, but when I read things like this it reminds me that we are (and have been) right on the issues.  We can win this and we can do it on our own terms.  

by proseandpromise 2008-05-11 11:55AM | 0 recs
Re: A Third Bush Term

So who is it McCain is going to throw overboard?

The right, who hates him already but are considered his base or the 70% of Americans who know G. Bush is a garbage president?

With these circumstances, I think Gravel could have beaten McCain.

by SFValues 2008-05-11 12:01PM | 0 recs
Re: A Third Bush Term

It's a GRAVELANCHE!

by zcflint05 2008-05-11 12:18PM | 0 recs
Re: A Third Bush Term

Hadn't heard that one. Too funny.

by SFValues 2008-05-11 12:20PM | 0 recs
Psst...

The campaign for the general election is already here.  I'm not seeing much turning to the center.

by you like it 2008-05-11 12:04PM | 0 recs
Re: Psst...

Obama doesn't have to reposition himself because he has financial backing from the people rather than the corporations and party fat cats.

It was a sad day in 2004 when Kerry had to grovel before the DLC at a $25K/plate fundraiser, after he'd secured the nomination, and reassure them he was not the "redistibutionist Democrat," they apparently thought he'd campaigned as in the primaries.

by Kobi 2008-05-11 12:21PM | 0 recs
I don't disagree (n/t).

nt

by you like it 2008-05-11 12:30PM | 0 recs
up is down

black is white

hot is cold

lose is a win

by Al Rodgers 2008-05-11 12:26PM | 0 recs
So...

So McCain is still locked in a tough fight for his party's nomination?  That is news to me.

by you like it 2008-05-11 12:28PM | 0 recs
Re: A Third Bush Term

Oh, clipping this would make a great DNC ad!

I don't consider Bush another McCain and think it's dishonest to claim otherwise, but when it comes to the economy, it is what it is. Good catch, Jonathan!

by Nathan Empsall 2008-05-11 12:10PM | 0 recs
Re: A Third Bush Term

Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake. - Napolean Bonaparte

I suppose we all owe McCain something of a thank you for doing our work for us while we get our house in order.

by werehippy 2008-05-11 12:11PM | 0 recs
Re: A Third Bush Term

So true. :)

by forecaster15 2008-05-11 12:23PM | 0 recs
Re: A Third Bush Term

It must really suck for Republicans to go on TV these days.

by Kobi 2008-05-11 12:16PM | 0 recs
I love your signature!

by Al Rodgers 2008-05-11 12:24PM | 0 recs
Re: A Third Bush Term

I suppose the fact that Phil Gramm, the ultra conservative supply-sider, is McCain's chief economic aide is also not indicative of his economic plans?  Or do you now consider such policies "centrist."  

At a certain point, it might actually be helpful to pay attention to what the candidates say they want to do.  Especially since I think you are one of the folks that have bragged about voting for McCain in the fall.  At present, you seem to dismiss the fact that Obama's domestic proposals almost perfectly mirror Senator CLintons as some kind of mirage, but you credit McCain with having far more moderate policy proposals than he has explicitly endorsed.

How, precisely, does that make any sense whatsoever?  Simply amazing.  

by HSTruman 2008-05-11 12:25PM | 0 recs
Re: A Third Bush Term

Strangely, despite these screw ups Jerome is apparently convinced that Senator Obama is doomed if he wins the nomination.  You know, since Mccain is so incredibly strong and Obama is so incredibly weak.  Both for unknown reasons, of course.

At all events, thanks for this post.  It's good to remind ourselves who the actual enemy is.  You know, the guy running for GWB's third term that a bunch of purportedly progressive Demcorats nonetheless are bragging about voting for.  

by HSTruman 2008-05-11 12:28PM | 0 recs
Re: A Third Bush Term

Yeah, I see a lot of people moping around wondering if the tax cuts will expire. Rather than the whole mortgage credit crisis, wars without end, and de-industrialization of the US.

They got absolutely nothing. It's about time we crush them.

by wengler 2008-05-11 01:15PM | 0 recs
Re: A Third Bush Term

Made my day.  This is awesome.  If the third term narrative is going to stick, it's gonna be a bad year to be John McCain.

by lockewasright 2008-05-11 01:32PM | 0 recs
Re: A Third Bush Term

After all this, I imagine McCain will have a special kind of anger reserved for Dubya...the guy who prevented him from becoming president twice, in 2000 and in 2008.

by Skaje 2008-05-12 12:00AM | 0 recs

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