Sometimes I feel like leaders or former leaders of the Republican Party just don’t get it.
Many of today’s leaders are self-described “moderates,” and all of us know what a moderate is. In today’s terminology, a moderate is a – well, there is just no other word for it, a liberal. Most of the time, these people are willing to give the Democratic Party almost everything it wants.
Jeb Bush was such a leader. Jeb was a “bean counter” who was a great administrator, but who had no answers when it came to dealing with Donald Trump. John Kasick desperately wanted to be hailed as a leader, but when he came up against Trump, he failed the test. Kasick proved to be a “moderate,” and I have not heard from him lately – thank Goodness.
The point I am making is that the leaders of the Republican Party are not in step with mainstream Republicans. They are too liberal, and they think that this position is a winning position even though it fails every time it is tried.
I have always contended that most former presidents should play more golf and talk a lot less unless they have other political ambitions. George Bush could use my advice - free though it may be. Bush was handed a tough hand when he became president, and I thought he played it about as well as he could. Believe it or not, that is all he needs to say. “I did the best I could, and history will judge my administration and me based on what we did in office.” Period, George! You don’t have to say anything else. Smile and say what I told you to say, and believe it or not, you will be better for it.
George did not take my advice. Naturally, he dislikes former President Trump because Trump upset Jeb’s little applecart, and prevented him from becoming President although every moderate in the Republican Party wanted him. Naturally when George W. gets a chance, he is going to disparage Mr. Trump. But in a recent interview, George went further than just lambasting Trump. He described the modern-day GOP as “isolationist, protectionist, and to a certain extent, nativist. It’s not exactly my vision for the party.” What? Where have I heard these words used before and by whom? Try Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer. Try Adam Schiff and Maxine Waters. What about Elizabeth Warren and Kamala Harris?
Are we still talking about the word “moderate?” We may be talking “extremists.” The former president went further, “Still, Bush remained hopeful that a more moderate Republican Party - one who supported reasonable gun reform measures, increased public school funding and a path to citizenship for undocumented workers, among other policies – could succeed in the party’s 2024 presidential primary. I think if the emphasis is integrity and decency and trying to work to get problems solved, I think the person has a shot.”
I hate to be the one to tell you, Mr. President, but we are way past this feeble and worthless way of doing business. “Reasonable” gun control means the confiscation of guns from law-abiding citizens. Most Americans see the dangers that open borders portend, and most want illegal immigration stopped. We have plenty of legal ways for people to come to this country.
You throw the word “isolationist” around like it is the worst adjective in the English language. No, it is a perfectly good word. We cannot move all of South America to the United States without consequences that threaten our Republic. Most Americans know this and want something done. We cannot allow China to dump goods into this country that are cheap because they have been made with the hands of slaves. Joe Biden will not do anything about it because China has made his family rich. If someone opposes Biden’s policy toward China is he/she an isolationist? I think not.
With all due respect, President George, your suggestions are all proven failures. Should the “moderates” take over the GOP, there will be no difference between it and the Democratic Party. Sorry, George. Your brother tried this weak approach, and you see what it got him. We just can no longer take a chance on taking your advice. Besides, insulting the base of the Republican Party doesn’t seem like good politics to me.
