Feeding the Base

There’s a nice NYT story today, Bush, Looking to His Right, Shores Up Support for 2004, describing how Right wing base is quite happy with Bush II. For example,

–David A. Keene, chairman of the American Conservative Union, said: “In the first Bush administration, the conservatives were asked to be spectators β€” and it was hoped that they would applaud the action in the field. In this one, they have a president who wants them to be part of the team.”

–“Just about every conservative is thrilled with a president who tells the U.N. to take a hike,” said Nelson Warfield, a conservative strategist.

Also providing fawning quotes are Grover Norquist and Wayne LaPierre of the NRA; Steven Moore of the Club for Growth is a bit angry over the impending prescription drug benefit, but otherwise quite pleased with Bush. The NYT has to go to the Libertarian Cato Institute for an honest assessment:

“His fiscal record is appalling β€” spending is out of control,” said Edward H. Crane, president of the Cato Institute, a libertarian research organization. “The fiscal record of the Bush administration makes Clinton look downright responsible.”

And here’s hoping that pride goeth before a fall:

“The Republicans are looking at decades of dominance in the House and the Senate, and having the presidency with some regularity,” Mr. Norquist said. “So if this year the tax cut isn’t the one we wanted β€” no biggie. There’s a sense that we can afford to wait.”

Take that, John Judis and Ruy Teixeira.

AB

UPDATE: Speaking of Teixeira, he’s got a blog now: Donkey Rising.