GOP Activists: Bush Won't Listen on Iraq

[seafan]

GOP Activists: Bush Won't Listen on Iraq

By Kenneth T. Walsh
Feb 15, 2:46 PM ET

Here's another measure of how much trouble
President Bush is in politically: Even once-loyal Republican activists are complaining that Bush's senior advisers, including political architect Karl Rove, don't want to listen to their ideas about changing policy in Iraq.

"They just get mad when we bring it up, so we leave it alone," says a prominent conservative who talks regularly to White House officials. The result is that even GOP insiders are losing faith in Bush's Iraq policies, including the "surge" of 21,500 troops now being debated in the House and vigorously defended by the president at his news conference this morning.

One concern is that the next phase of the war will be mismanaged just as past phases have been and that the administration won't recognize how bad things in Iraq have become or how much support Bush has lost at home. On domestic issues, the insiders say Bush's team is more willing to talk about ideas with outsiders. The complaint is that West Wing officials will listen but rarely accept outsiders' ideas.

The Bush team's main goal is to get everyone in GOP circles to repeat the White House talking points to the media, according to several GOP activists.

So, he's not listening to insiders OR outsiders.... maybe he's just listening to the voices in his head.

Pressed to respond to critics who say he is ignoring the advice of respected former military commanders, Bush vigorously stood by Rumsfeld.

"I listen to all voices, but mine is the final decision," he said. "And Don Rumsfeld is doing a fine job. He's not only transforming the military, he's fighting a war on terror. He's helping us fight a war on terror. I have strong confidence in Don Rumsfeld.

"I hear the voices, and I read the front page, and I know the speculation. But I'm the decider, and I decide what is best. And what's best is for Don Rumsfeld to remain as the secretary of defense." ----George W. Bush, April 18, 2006

[no_hypocrisy]

1. If Jesus came to the White House, * wouldn't listen to him either. n/t

[Edweird]

2. He wouldn't recogize him!

[Hobarticus]

3. If he ignored James Baker's ISG, he'd ignore Jesus

After a very public drubbing of Dubya's policy like that, bet they won't be exchanging Christmas cards anymore.

[Mandate My Ass]

4. ITMFA

Jeebus, how can Congress let this shit slide?

[Double T]

5. bush won't listen to ANYONE about anything.........

ONLY 'HE' has ALL the answers. Certifiable psychopath.

[dkofos]

6. I wish the voices in his head would tell him to go to the roof and......