When 45 percent of self-identified conservatives disapprove of the president, you know something is up.
The latest figures, taken from a poll conducted by the Associated Press, are another reminder that the permanent Republican majority that Karl Rove proclaimed after the 2004 election was a superficial illusion. Most striking, though, is that 73 percent of Americans also believe the country is heading in the wrong direction.
Enjoy that majority while you can, because its time is running out.
Even though I'll admit to my share of personal glee over the dim news for the GOP, as a libertarian trapped in a de facto two-party system, I fear that we will merely trade one incompetent party for another come November.
Now although you cannot yet count out the Republicans, considering Democrats are notorious for wasting big opportunities whenever they present themselves, things really couldn't get much worse for the GOP. If Democrats are unable to retake Congress given the current political climate, then it is likely it'll never happen.
As gas prices rise, it's interesting to view the commentary that has unfolded as both parties attempt to find scapegoats. Powerful companies such as Exxon are easy targets, and they will be bombarded by price gouging allegations for good measure. Of course, no politician wishes to stand up and admit that the rise in cost is largely because of rising demand throughout the world, and not some conspiracy between oil companies. Uncomfortable and fleeting truths typically don't get you anywhere in public discourse.
Perhaps this is poetic justice though, considering the Bush administration's close ties to the energy industry in formulating policy (Enron was a significant contributor to the Bush/Cheney campaign in 2000). Given their respective backgrounds at Harken and Halliburton, President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney will not be able to combat the perception of being oil men at a time when the price of gas is at an all-time high.
Although the blame is landing at their feet, it must be pointed out that this problem has been ignored for more than two decades by both parties, which would rather spend time raising money for re-election than actually solving America's problems.
Although the GOP and the administration are probably getting an unfair share of the blame for the high prices, I must admit, I don't feel sorry for them.
The GOP has had its run at governance, and quite frankly, they have failed. As I said earlier, you cannot count them out in completely ' they are masters of rhetoric ' and the Democrats don't have a clue about how to run a campaign. But times are changing.
As we face the probability of a Democratic majority in Congress, even I'm prepared to relax some of my libertarian principles in exchange for some effective governance.
To Democrats, I'll concede some level of higher taxation, in exchange for a pledge to use the military competently and a promise that we won't invade countries that aren't imminent threats. Not to say that confronting Iraq was necessarily a bad move (Saddam had defied the United Nations for nearly a decade), but the premises for war, lack of execution and failure to adequately plan for post-war Iraq and the resulting isolation from the international community have all been monumental failures.
Democrats have been quick to point out these failings in the past, and come November they will likely get their shot at correcting them. We'll just have to wait to see.
At home, besides dealing with immigration debate, the next Congress needs to focus its efforts on debt control. The United States simply cannot borrow money forever, and as the value of the dollar declines internationally, we're going to be in an unfortunate position if our leaders cannot stop the government's spiraling deficits. Although today's officials might not be around when the debt collectors come knocking, they have a responsibility to not pass on their mistakes to future generations.
Nonetheless, while some critics of the administration might be salivating over rumors that Democrats would consider trying to impeach Bush for ethics violations if they won control of Congress, top Democrats like Democratic Chair Howard Dean and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D.-Calif., have dismissed such allegations.
And that restraint is wise. The recent shift in political clout has been primarily achieved through the GOP's own failings and not by brilliant Democratic innovation.
At least for the time being.
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Thomas Hill
