WaPo columnist Michael Gerson sheds a tear for the unappreciated "gains" of
the Bush administration in striving to legislate liberal positions
from a Republican White House. Gerson notes his first meeting with
Governor Dubya:
"He talked with rushed intensity about being a 'different kind
of Republican,' dedicated to racial healing and helping the poor
and determined to provide moral leadership as a contrast and
corrective to the Clinton years."
Talk about a whitewash. The reason that the conservative core of
the Republican party is falling apart is because of this sort of
squishy, liberal pander. "Uncompassionate" conservatism through its
support of welfare reform, tax cuts, and business-friendly policies
is more likely to help the poor, heal
racial bonds, and the like precisely because it does not seek to
exploit these groups for positive PR.
The most unfortunate consequence of Bush's embrace of
compassionate conservatism is that it played into the idea that it
was unusual to be both compassionate and conservative.
topics:
Business, Conservatism
