"Capt. JG" wrote in message
...
I think it's possible. I believe the Dems have an opportunity and a risk.
The opportunity is to put things back on track if they can work with Bush.

Some Dems have already intimated that they'd like to raise taxes. W won't
go for that, no way. Veto. Strike #1.

The risk is that it turn into a witchhunt. I think there is a lot of
justification for and there should be investigations by Congress into what
happened w.r.t. the war in Iraq, the corruption that went on, and the
state of affairs of homeland security. But, it should be a fact-finding
effort, that only assigns blame and punishment to those who deserve it. It
should not be a "let's get the Republicans" tar and feather party to
ensure they remain out of power for 20 years no matter what.

In a perfect world such an investigation would be pretty much as you
describe. Of course it will become a witch hunt, and we're going to hear
"impeach Bush" rhetoric sooner or later. It's inevitable. Strike #2.


On the other side, Bush needs to get the message that the people want
change, and he needs to truly try and work with Congress to get things
done. He was able to do this as Governor, so it's time to get moving. I'm
not convinced he's truly gotten the message, but it's possible.

He needs to acquiesce with respect to embryonic stem-cell research, the Iraq
war, balancing the budget, and a few other issues. But he won't. Strike
#3. GRIDLOCK.

I think his presidency has been severely damaged, and certainly his
"legacy" has been tarnished by the war in Iraq. It's possible for him to
turn the remainder of his lame duck time into doing the right thing. It's
up to him. My view is that he should dump the neocons who are left,
sideline Cheney (who's power has diminished because Rummy is gone), and
stifle Rove. In other words, he needs to start acting like the President
of the US, not the president of his fan club.

About the only thing he and the Dems seem to agree upon is amnesty for
illegals. And of course the conservatives oppose that.

I see no way to avoid gridlock and exacerbating animosity between the
Administration and Congress. It will get ugly, bloody, and very interesting
before the fallout settles.

Call me pessimistic if you will, but I've watched Washington for far too
long to believe otherwise. The division between the left and right extremes
is permanent and untenable. The division between the moderate left and the
moderate right will grow into a chasm.

I'll be happy to remind you of this prediction about two years from now,
Jon.

Max