Crossposted at The Next Hurrah
This latest comes from the WaPo:
For years, Bush has succeeded politically in stitching together the disparate elements of the conservative movement, marrying the libertarian and family-values wings of his party. Now he faces a major Republican rupture. [emphasis mine].
This is
no surprise to TNH readers, unlike the shock felt by Republicans reading those poll numbers. Still the WaPo:
Frank Luntz, a Republican strategist, said the party was a victim of its own success in persuading the public over the last decade that the federal government should play a less intrusive role in American life. Luntz said Congress would suffer more sustained damage because lawmakers were more visible in the matter.
But just as importantly, he said, the issue has chipped away at the political coalition on which Bush has relied. "No matter how you look at the polls, it has opened up an ideological fault within the GOP," Luntz said. "That's why some people in Washington were so shocked when the first poll numbers came back."
It's not just the WaPo. It's
Glenn Reynolds:
LK: Glenn Reynolds, are there deeper politics to this? Is this going to damage the Republican coalition where the traditional, social conservatives may be splitting off from the libertarian type conservatives?
GR: I think it hurts. I think there are a lot of people who find the Republicans attractive because of the small government vision. They've been disappointed in spending. But I think that, particuarly this Congressional action, really gets them exercised. I've certainly gotten a lot of e-mails along that line. Jim Geraghty over at National Review Online published a couple of e-mails along that line, too. My MSNBC column got a lot of e-mails along that line. Some of them from people I've corresponded with before, so I know they are genuine and not just pretending to be outraged Republicans. I think it's actually a political disaster all around. And I think it's unfortunate that this situation, which is a tragic situation, has been turned into such a circus. I think it doesn't serve anyone well, and I think that you've got two questions here. You've got what's the right answer, and you've got who gets to decide. And I think that's what we have to look at. [emphasis mine].
It's Randall Terry
threatening Jeb Bush.
Randall Terry's RightMarch says in a mass e-mail to supporters this morning: "We had a meeting on Wednesday between folks from RightMarch (William Greene and our attorney, Larry Klayman) and Governor Bush's chief counsel (his top lawyer on staff). We presented information on why the Governor has the authority RIGHT NOW under Florida Law and the state constitution to take Terri into protective custody NOW, and save her life. Gov. Bush failed to take action."
"We had a meeting on Thursday between our folks (this time, Larry Klayman AND Ambassador Alan Keyes) and Gov. Bush's Chief of Staff. Dr. Keyes eloquently explained to him why the Governor has the authority RIGHT NOW under Florida Law and the state constitution to take Terri into protective custody NOW, and save her life."
"Gov. Bush failed to take action."
"Judge Greer has shown more courage in trying to KILL Terri Schiavo than Gov. Bush has shown in trying to save her. But instead of facing Judge Greer down like he should have... Bush blinked."
"This is THE pivotal moment in Gov. Bush's political career."
Mr President, I think you and your party have a problem. And I don't think it's going to be so easy to fix.