Why President Bush Failed

President Bush abandoned the traditional Republican principles of conservatism which Republicans have traditionally governed with and this led to his failure in office. Traditionally, Republicans are cautious and prudent, and believe in the power of the individual, human freedom, limited government, and limited taxes. Each individual has the power, talent and skills to solve their problems and live the successful life. When people require assistance, their families and private organizations and charities should help them. Government assistance is limited and a last resort. President Bush's philosophy is the exact opposite. President Bush is a compassionate conservative who takes major risks in government, and uses a strong and active government to help all Americans succeed and enjoy the American way of life.

Historically, Republicans limit government by reducing its size, and by opposing attempts to develop additional government. President Bush does the exact opposite. The President never made a serious effort to eliminate a single agency, has developed additional government, and never vetoed any of the pork barrel spending that dominated his term in office.

President Bush took a major risk when he invaded Iraq. The war was based on the worst case scenario, even though it was very unlikely that this scenario would ever unfold. The Bush Administration asserted that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction which they would share with a terrorist organization to use against the United States. Weapons of mass destruction were never discovered in Iraq, and there never was any real evidence that the Iraqis were working with any terrorists organization to attack the United States. The war in Iraq has been a complete disaster and the primary issue left to determine is how does the United States withdraws, not how does the United States achieve its objectives.

Compassionate conservatism leads to confusion about the role, size and cost of government. The results have been staggering. President Bush initiated a limitless challenge to transform the Middle East from a land of dictatorship to a culture of democracy. He is the first President in a generation to develop a new entitlement program. The prescription drug program will cost billions and billions of dollars a year. The Bush administration spent additional money in other areas as well. The President has is spending money at an alarming rate on the war, domestic spending, and pork barrel projects. The huge deficit is weakening the American economy and is now a major problem.

The Democrats failed at big government and now the Republicans are failing. Senator McCain and the Republican Party must return to their traditional conservative philosophy of government in order to get elected and to govern effectively.