From what I've read, I get the sense that Bush is splitting his party.

[Monte Carlo]

Sure, _all_ Republicans are officially backing Bush for President this year, from sycophants like Frist to vocally rebellious ones like Sens. McCain and Hagel.

But when the party of smaller, leaner gov't starts spending the taxpayer's money in record quantities, in the process leaving the taxpayer with even more public debt than they already have, with nothing but a stagnant war and fair economy to show for it, there is going to be tension.

When the party of non-nation building and non-intervention in foreign affairs starts invading countries - on what turned out to be flagrantly false and malicious lies - and dictates to the world "this is how it is", there is going to be tension.

When a party of non-censorship and the free market of ideas starts holds Congressional hearings on decent language and sics the FCC on political targets for arbitrary reasons, there is going to be tension.

The GOP has had the full power of the federal gov't these last two years. The gap between what they say and what they do, at least with certain portions of the party including the Bush Administration, DeLay and Hastert, etc., is great. They are not performing how they had promised before the election in 2000.

For short periods, you can get away with that. After a while, however, your everyday Republican voter with a family and a job is going to notice.

[bryant69]

1. I think you are right

President Bush has always followed his own agenda which doesn't mesh up will with any of the main power centers in the party (except those who don't care about anything but power). It meshes up best with the Christian Coalition, but his weak attempts to educate American children don't sit well with them.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[Killarney]

2. I know for sure there are 4 Repub Senators that have had it with him

McCain, Chafee, Snowe, and... crap, I forget the last one.

But they're battling him hard right now over the deficits.

[MallRat]

3. Voters will vote Bush. They haven't been presented with an alternative.

If the eventual Libertarian nominee gets as much pub as Nader, then Bush will have serious trouble on his hands.

But I'm not holding my breath.

-MR

edited title to be clearer...

[Monte Carlo]

4. I can't say what's going to happen...

... but in the articles that I've read, a lot of angry Republicans might just stay home on election day.

The only things Bush talks about anymore are the war, gay marriage, and what's wrong with Sen. Kerry. He hasn't really done anything. If I were a Republican, that would make me apathetic.

[Dover]

5. Bush thinks that by being unwavering in staying the course, it somehow

amounts to being "strong".....when in fact it's a sign of great weakness. Only a strong man can change course mid-stream if the current is changing. Bush doesn't even know how to swim!

He has no ability to adjust to changing circumstances. But those in his Party with political ambitions are much more atuned to these changes. Heck...even Perle has admitted Iraq was a "failure" and that they should have avoided 'occupation' altogether. It's sink or swim time...and the rats are abandoning a sinking ship.

[NewJeffCT]

6. Unwavering? Bush? He makes Kerry look unwavering...

Bush has flip-flopped on just about every major issue out there. It is only the appearance of him being unwavering fed to us by the Mass Media.

- Terrorism is not a threat or priority prior to 9/11 to an all engrossing war on terror;
- against nation building, now for it 3 times
- complained military was stretched too thin, now stretches it much further than before
- Iraq was invaded for:
First: Immediate threat of WMD & ties to Al Qaeda
Second: Potential threat of WMD, but no ties to Al Qaeda
Third: WMD programs, Iraq is now the new front in the War on Terror
Fourth: Saddam was a bad man and Iraq is better off without him
- Against Homeland Security, then for it
- Against unfunded mandates, then doesn't fund No Child Left Behind
- promises money for first responders, then doesn't deliver.
- for free trade, then for steel tariffs, then against steel tariffs...

and many, many more