Think Progress

REPORT: GOP Candidates Run From Bush Record

reagan

“Bush’s overall job approval among all voters has been declining since before he put his hand on his family’s bible and took the oath of office for the second time,” writes the New York Times. “In mid January 2005, it was 49 percent among all Americans. In a Times/CBS News poll in late April of this year it was 32 percent. It has been hovering around 30 percent since February 2006.”

As a result, Bush affiliations have become baggage for his allies. Just as they did earlier this year at the CPAC conference, the Republican presidential candidates last night ran from President Bush’s record, going to great lengths to avoid invoking his name.

President Bush’s name was invoked by Republican candidates only once during yesterday’s 90-minute debate, in response to a question about Scooter Libby’s pardon. By comparison, Ronald Reagan’s name was cited 19 times.

The breakdown:

Ronald Reagan mentions: 19 times

Giuliani: 5
Romney: 3
Brownback: 1
Hunter: 2
Huckabee: 1
Thompson: 3
McCain: 3
Gilmore: 1

George W. Bush mentions: 1 time

MATTHEWS: Let me go to, Senator — do you think Scooter Libby should be –
BROWNBACK: Let the legal process move forward, and I’d leave that up to President Bush. And I think he could go either way on that.

Both Jeb Bush and George Herbert Walker Bush were invoked by the candidates as often as George W. Bush.

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80 Responses to “REPORT: GOP Candidates Run From Bush Record”

  1. Zooey says:

    Heh. You can run, but you can’t hide.


  2. G. Dubious Busch says:

    Heh heh heh… don’t mention it… heh heh heh….


  3. EB says:

    Why haven’t any Dem candidates started the drumbeat of “If you like W, you’ll love Rudy/Mitt/John” yet?


  4. stopthecons says:

    and one candidate, Ron Paul – was completely opposite from the rest:

    voted against the Iraq war, the patriot act, the military commissions act, and funding for more war.

    plus he talked about keeping the internet completely unrelated too.

    good stuff.

    http://www.ronpaul2008.com


  5. whiteyfresh says:

    personally, I think Chris Matthews was the most Reaganesque.”Trust,but verify”. Lord knows he tried to get them to answer questions;the phrase “herdin cats” comes to mind….

    Morning Zooey!
    How is my Princess of Progress on the dreary,dribbly Friday?(Well, it’s dreary and dribbly where I am, anyway…)


  6. sheeplican says:

    This is an outrage. An outrage I tell you! We have the greatest leader of all time fighting the terrorists over there so you don’t have to and not one of these pansies want to have the torch handed to them.

    If I had more than half a mind I’d vote for a democrat in the next election. that is if I had more than half a mind.


  7. null says:

    sheesh, even cousin Bonzo got a couple mentions Chimpy


  8. Zimzone says:

    Bush is the Albatross all Republicans have around their neck right now.

    Every time he opens his mouth, they have to ignore it or sound as stupid as him.

    The next 18 months should prove interesting as they dance around his failed policies, trying to ignore the retarded elephant in the room.


  9. jeff says:

    I work with 10 eligible Bush supporters who do no serve.


  10. Jay Randal says:

    McCain does not run away from Bush’s record. He embraces the Iraq Fiasco War and literally hugs Bush as much as he can. It is almost homoerotic his hugging of Bush.


  11. valiant venus says:

    HEADLINE: REPORT: GOP Candidates Run From Bush Record
    Kind of like Al Gore ran from Bill Clinton?? I get it….


  12. GSD says:

    The GOP, the REAL cut and run party!

    -GSD


  13. sheeplican says:

    They should be running to embrace the wise vision of our decider. if it weren’t for him we’d have mullahs terrorizing our good citizens right here in the USA. It’s not wise for them not to follow our Commander guy.

    They should give his chance a plan to work.


  14. Dumb_Fox says:

    Did Gore distance himself from Clinton in the primaries?

    Didn’t think so, but thanks for playing, Valium.


  15. Tobey Tall says:

    Oil law animation – press play

    A MUST WATCH TO UNDERSTAND WHAT BUSH IS UP TO only lasts 1 minutes and leaves you so informed ……….

    http://www.handsoffiraqioil.org/


  16. Zooey says:

    Morning Zooey!
    How is my Princess of Progress on the dreary,dribbly Friday?(Well, it’s dreary and dribbly where I am, anyway…)
    Comment by whiteyfresh

    Hey whitey, Happy Friday! Sun’s trying to come out, but it’s still damned cold. I hope you have a big weekend planned. :) I’m studying for exams. TP has been a b*tch and hasn’t been letting me on. :(


  17. Kay says:

    Ron Paul is the ONLY candidate that I can conceive of voting for at this point.

    Sad, he’s a republican.


  18. Angry One says:

    Arriving just in time for last night’s Republican presidential debate at the Reagan Library are the first sneak peaks of the Gipper’s soon to be released diary. While Rudy Giuliani, John McCain, Mitt Romney and the rest vie to claim the mantle of “Reagan Conservative,” you can contemplate Ronnie’s insightful private admissions such as “getting shot hurts” and “I agreed to sell TOWs to Iran.”

    But you don’t have to wait for “The Reagan Diaries” to size up the man. For some reflections on Reagan from the man himself and the friends who knew him best, see:
    “GOP Debate Reflections on Reagan.”


  19. whiteyfresh says:

    finish insulating under the house, mow the yard. wheeeeeee…


  20. VerbalKint says:

    It will be an exercise in futility for these wannabe presidents.


  21. veritas says:

    Small wonder these individuals would distance themselves from George, The Terrible, eh? The fact of the matter is that the citizens of this country want to distance themselves from this abysmal failure as well. His term can’t end soon enough for most of us; in fact, the only thing better than the expiration of his term would be his immediate and unequivocal impeachment.

    Impeachment would clearly signal an end to this heinous level of internal corruption which goes clear to the top and the Office of the President. It would also send a clear signal to the rest of the world that the american people are definitely NOT George W. Bush…..far from it, thank goodness!


  22. impeachdub says:

    The GOP exposed in all its inglorious ineptitude and malfeasance:

    http://www.airfarceone.net/rightyreference.html

    *


  23. Topper Harley says:

    I’m shocked I tell you, I’m shocked. HeHe. Good luck in 08′ neocons. You’re gonna need it. Hey Valient “I never get penis”. But, but, Al Gore, but, but Bill Clinton. Good night my sweet neocons. 08′ is gonna be a sweep by the democrats. Too funny. You know the neocons are in deep shit if they’re waking up the ghost of a dead president from the 80’s. Give me a break. What’s next Romney will start signing a Flock of Seagulls tune. And I ran, I ran so far away from Bush. But I couldn’t get away. Too funny.


  24. veritas says:

    #17 Kay – Actually I would agree with you. Ron Paul was more honest than any of the Republican candidates; in fact, he said things I would like the Democratic candidates to say. And, with the exception of Mike Gravel, the Dem group was noticeably silent on these things which are so important to the american people.

    It’s also a shame that Ron Paul is so old because, if he had more youth and vigor, I believe that many Indepdents would find him quite satisfying in many ways. Be that as it may, however, Paul is too old but will keep these “clones” honest.

    BTW, just as an aside, wasn’t it about a decade or so ago when “Dress for Success” determined that wearing a red tie was a subliminal sign of power??? I think it’s quite comical that 5 clearly had bright red ties on and one other had a red/blue mix. They looked like they were wearing their “Republican LockStep Uniform” from crimminy sakes! What a bunch of mindless, uncreative, lockstep clones!


  25. Zooey says:

    finish insulating under the house, mow the yard. wheeeeeee…
    Comment by whiteyfresh

    Heh. I get most of my heat from the condo below mine, so I don’t want to change that; and no yard to mow. Life is good. :D


  26. Pete Bogs says:

    that picture – who’s the skirt?


  27. RUCerious says:

    What a pathetic parade of pandering psychos.


  28. Tobey Tall says:

    A MUST WATCH TO UNDERSTAND WHAT BUSH IS UP TO only lasts 1 minute and leaves you so informed ………

    for instance ever heard of
    “federal Gas Oil Council” that Bipasses the Iraqi goverment on Oil Contracts ???????

    http://www.handsoffiraqioil.org/

    please please watch this 1 minute animation


  29. null says:

    #24 hahahaa, I identify with that. Nothing like living in a townhouse between two cold elderly couples.


  30. RUCerious says:

    Here’s a call for you to respond to.

    What is your most memorable Reagan moment?

    Mine was when he shut down the group homes that housed many of the mentally ill throughout neighborhoods all across America.
    Much better they be homeless than rely on the government dole.
    Almost as good as firing all the air traffic controllers.


  31. Zimzone says:

    25,
    Nancy Reagan?


  32. Grand Moff Texan says:

    By comparison, Ronald Reagan’s name was cited 19 times.

    Who?
    .


  33. Zimzone says:

    What is your most memorable Reagan moment?

    When he was still a bad actor & a Democrat.


  34. Zooey says:

    What is your most memorable Reagan moment?
    Comment by RUCerious

    I loved those post-news conference new conferences where the designated WH dope had to explain what the President really meant. Heh.


  35. Zooey says:

    that picture – who’s the skirt?
    Comment by Pete Bogs

    My vision sucks, but I thin that’s Nancy Reagan.


  36. VerbalKint says:

    I see that that the Ron Paul crowd is here trying to fool progressives again. Kay, why won’t you tell us the truth about Ron Paul?

    So let me inform anyone not already aware: Ron Paul has been endorsed by the Constitution Party and calls himself a strict constitutionalist. I suggest that anyone considering voting for Ron Paul learn more about Paul and the Constitution Party. In most ways they are ultra-right wingers. They believe that the income tax is unconstitutional, for example. Now who would love to have the income tax abolished? Yup. The same ultra-rich pr*cks who gave us Bush.


  37. Zooey says:

    #24 hahahaa, I identify with that. Nothing like living in a townhouse between two cold elderly couples.
    Comment by null

    I own a unit over a bunch of freezing college girls. I rarely turn on my heat. :-)


  38. Shane says:

    REPORT: GOP Candidates Run From Bush Record
    Kind of like Al Gore ran from Bill Clinton?? I get it….

    Comment by valiant venus — May 4, 2007 @ 11:02 am

    And Al Gore lost, in a manner of speaking. Perhaps the Republican candidates should embrace Bush, it at the very least would show some loyalty.


  39. RUCerious says:

    Mistress Z~ !
    Why are you freezing college girls? Aren’t they much better thawed out?


  40. Shane says:

    TP has been a b*tch and hasn’t been letting me on. :(

    Comment by Zooey — May 4, 2007 @ 11:13 am

    Seriously? And the trolls seem to be multiplying exponentially. Is this “really” a progressive site?


  41. RUCerious says:

    Mistress Z~ I posted my first diary at Daily Kos ~ Look for Chanbo.


  42. Shane says:

    What is your most memorable Reagan moment?

    Mine was when he shut down the group homes that housed many of the mentally ill throughout neighborhoods all across America.
    Much better they be homeless than rely on the government dole.
    Almost as good as firing all the air traffic controllers.

    Comment by RUCerious — May 4, 2007 @ 11:32 am

    My favorite is him firing so many food inspectors that food related illnesses have been on the rise ever since. Wait, then he fired all the air traffic controllers, maybe that’s my favorite. Oh, and then there was him getting rid of all the epidemiologists at the National Institute of Health so we no longer hear about clusters of cancer or other diseases like we used to. Oh wait, I know, getting rid of the Fairness Doctrine to insure parity in reporting … I better not think anymore.


  43. Shane says:

    that picture – who’s the skirt?

    Comment by Pete Bogs — May 4, 2007 @ 11:28 am

    Romney is kinda purdy ain’t he? He’s probly got a bunch a them thar mormon wives fixin him nice like that.


  44. Jordan says:

    Bush wasn’t the only word avoided in last night’s debate. I noticed that poverty wasn’t mentioned either. With over 1.2 billion people living on $1 a day or less, it doesn’t seem like an issue which could be easily ignored, yet it has been. The US agreed to the UN Millennium Goals in 2000 which set 2015 as the year by which we should have accomplished cutting severe poverty in half. However, it seems that we are far from accomplishing that task. I want to know what these candidates intend to do to ensure that we follow through on the Millennium Goals?


  45. Zooey says:

    Mistress Z~ !
    Why are you freezing college girls? Aren’t they much better thawed out?
    Comment by RUCerious

    Hey, I don’t touch ‘em! The have no sense. It’s 37 degrees outside and they’re wearing flip-flops, shorts, and shirts with their tummy’s hanging out. :P

    I’ll look for your diary on DKos. Cool!


  46. Zooey says:

    Seriously? And the trolls seem to be multiplying exponentially. Is this “really” a progressive site?
    Comment by Shane

    Weird, huh? Well, I need to be out of here soon — exams next week! TP will be reduced to my break time. :{


  47. Shane says:

    Mistress Z~ !
    Why are you freezing college girls? Aren’t they much better thawed out?

    Comment by RUCerious — May 4, 2007 @ 11:49 am

    RUCerious, you made me spit coffee through my nose.


  48. RUCerious says:

    Sorry about that Shane, as my strength returns, the force seems to be gathering its strength as well.


  49. Angry One says:

    In last night’s Republican presidential debate at the Reagan Library, former Massachusetts Mitt Romney added Osama Bin Laden to his rapidly growing list of flip-flops. By alternately downplaying or emphasizing the importance of capturing Bin Laden as political circumstances require, Romney finds himself in good company – with President Bush.

    For the details, see:
    “Romney Flip-Flops on Bin Laden.”


  50. gummitch says:

    TP has been a b*tch and hasn’t been letting me on. :(

    Comment by Zooey — May 4, 2007

    I couldn’t log in last night or first thing this morning, but I was thinking some hacker was attacking the site. When I saw that there were hundreds of comments logged while I was frozen out, I was bemused. I remain bemused, but now I’m bemused by the notion of freezing coeds. If I’d thought of that 30 years ago, I could be thawing them out for my own nefarious purposes now. It’s genius, really, Zooey.


  51. katy says:

    huh…
    only 19???
    i only watched the first hour, seemed like more then…

    i’m wondering about the lineup in that picture…
    i found it odd that rudy got a choice placement
    on nancy’s right…
    and why is a “debate moderator” included in that pic?


  52. Zooey says:

    RUC,

    Great diary on DKos. I left a comment as “Ms Luna.”


  53. Zooey says:

    If I’d thought of that 30 years ago, I could be thawing them out for my own nefarious purposes now. It’s genius, really, Zooey.
    Comment by gummitch

    Hey, that was RUC’s fantasy, not mine. Heh. I merely pointed out that they were freezing, and that I was benefitting from said freezing — nothing more. :-)

    Besides, I’d rather be the “hot” college girl living above them — which I am. :D


  54. katy says:

    What is your most memorable Reagan moment?
    Comment by RUCerious — May 4, 2007 @ 11:32 am

    my kids were in school when st.ronnie declared
    ketchup to be a vegetable…

    that was probably the best of the worst…


  55. Zooey says:

    my kids were in school when st.ronnie declared
    ketchup to be a vegetable…
    that was probably the best of the worst…
    Comment by katy

    Ronnie thought he was ketchup that day….


  56. katy says:

    as my strength returns, the force seems to be gathering its strength as well.
    Comment by RUCerious — May 4, 2007 @ 12:04 pm

    heh… i noticed that last evening… had a chance to leave you
    a message with a reply to your comment (on fineman thread)…
    in case you missed it:

    so, it’s like riding a bike, right? … you seem to have jumped right back into the swing of things here…
    i’ll take my turn to say welcome back and so glad to hear your news
    was good news… keep up the good work… just pace yourself! :-)
    …Comment by katy — May 4, 2007 @ 12:39 am


  57. katy says:

    Ronnie thought he was ketchup that day….
    Comment by Zooey

    * snort * … another zinger!


  58. RUCerious says:

    Thanks katy, yer a real sweetie!!~~


  59. Juan C says:

    I left a comment as “Ms Luna.”
    Comment by Zooey — May 4, 2007 @ 12:13 pm

    Oh, you romantic one… :)


  60. Zooey says:

    Oh, you romantic one… :)
    Comment by Juan C

    Who told you? Heh.


  61. John Gilpins says:

    I missed the debate. Rats! Rats! Rats!

    Any references to Herbert Hoover?


  62. Jericho says:

    Hmmm, you’d think it could be a good question for all of them: “How do you feel about the current decider?” It sounds like a relevant question. Is the American public left uninformed? I guess the info is a matter of national security, go figure…


  63. rage says:

    More false advertisement from the Great White Elephant Sale. With American no longer buying this tripe, these bums are harder and harder to market.


  64. Zooey says:

    Any references to Herbert Hoover?
    Comment by John Gilpins

    They propped his corpse in a chair up front — they needed to fill the seats. He was pretty quiet. :)


  65. John Gilpins says:

    Ronald Reagan mentions: 19 times

    Giuliani: 5

    Was one of the Reagan mentions multiple marriages?



  66. tarazan says:

    What was discussed last night in this so call great debate,and the hype that MSNBC used and the music to sell?

    1. Health care to Americans was not discussed….but some candidates like the profit making companies to continue reaping profits.

    2. Iraq war….continue the same..and support Bush,and start another war with Iran.
    Rep. D.Hunter:’I think Iran already crossed the line”…Meaning another war.

    3. Deficit: Was not mentioned except by Ron Paul,and Mccain claimed he will balance the budget…by starting new wars..and chasing the illusive victory.

    4.Civil Rights and intruding on people’s private lives…was not mentioned.

    5.Wages and helping the little guy…was not mentioned.

    6.Election’s campaign ‘reform and money’ that is out of control in our election system. was not mentioned.

    7.Integrity of the Election System and the machines…Was not mentioned.

    8.Education system from cost to ‘Speration of Church and State’…was not mentioned.

    9.Guns and regulating buying guns and checking unqualified buyes..was not mentioned.

    10.How are we going to get out of Iraq….was not mentioned.

    11.Skyrocketing gasoline prices and the last upward trends were not mentioned.

    12. Immigration and a reasonable and practical solutions…were not mentioned..other than building a fence.

    What was mentioned…

    We are the party of ideas

    Reagan’s legacy

    We will chase terrorists without understanding WHAT started this phenomena and WHO started it..and Why.

    We will give back taxes collected….but no mention of how to replace it with increase war and government spending.

    This morning, the pundits began to back their candidates with vigor..but most issues were not discussed.

    Anyone of these candidate wins…nothing will change.

    I blame also MSNBC for its poor coverage…the questions do not represent the realites on the ground…so were the answers.

    I would have trusted MSNBC…if they just ask one question about PNAC,and the rush for war…


  67. Tobey Tall says:

    3362 another 11 have died since tuesdays veto


  68. Shane says:

    Sorry about that Shane, as my strength returns, the force seems to be gathering its strength as well.

    Comment by RUCerious — May 4, 2007 @ 12:04 pm

    Happy to hear that. Really, spitting coffee through my nose is the high point of my day. I’m living the dream.


  69. Shane says:

    1. Health care to Americans was not discussed….but some candidates like the profit making companies to continue reaping profits
    Comment by tarazan — May 4, 2007 @ 1:23 pm

    I hate to disagree, but I believe at least on of them made a derogatory comment about Hillary’s proposed health care and how the free market should handle it instead. You know, like they’ve been doing already.


  70. neildeal says:

    Boy I haven’t heard Reagan mentioned so many times in quite a while. It’s funny how they only remember the 1.25 positive aspects of Reagan’s presidency.

    Too bad for the candidates that the most recent republican president before W was also named BUSH! It’s so silly that they now try to distance themselves from W after marching in lock-step with him for the last 7 years. Why don’t they just jump completely off the reality wagon and claim that Islamists eat our babies?


  71. David Carlisle says:

    from #70
    “It’s so silly that they now try to distance themselves from W after marching in lock-step with him for the last 7 years. Why don’t they just jump completely off the reality wagon and claim that Islamists eat our babies?”

    “Off the bandwagon”?! Well, smart guy, I’d like to know who YOU think has been eating our babies.


  72. neildeal says:

    #71
    Thanks but I meant “wagon” in a context similar to: It is rumored that GW, a known alcoholic has fallen off of the wagon.

    And to answer your question, the answer would have to be Fat Bastard. “GET IN MY BELLY!!”


  73. the republic of stupidity says:

    Heh. You can run, but you can’t hide.

    Comment by Zooey — May 4, 2007 @ 10:46 am

    Dang, Zooey, you’re fast. Ya scooped me completely. That’s waht I wanted to say.


  74. the republic of stupidity says:

    They should have had their picture taken wearing “I’m with Stupid” T-shirts and pointing to the guy to their right. I’m amazed that nay of them theink they have the least chance of getting elected after what will be 8 YEARS of the Bush Nightmare.


  75. Zooey says:

    Dang, Zooey, you’re fast. Ya scooped me completely. That’s waht I wanted to say.
    Comment by the republic of stupidity

    Heh. I’m a fast girl….


  76. hacker bob says:

    Heh. I’m a fast girl….

    Comment by Zooey — May 4, 2007 @ 2:31 pm

    Ummm….. a fast college chick?


  77. swampgas says:

    #35

    Ron Paul makes the most sense of the Republicans, and you probably think Hillary and O-Bomb-ya are “Progressives”, with their War Chest Pounding, NAFTA, and revamping or vitamin access

    Personally, I don’t care much for any Neo-Libertarian, but his anti-war stand is very brave for a Repuke.

    Frankly the only one out of all of them that has any sanity left is Kucinich.


  78. Zooey says:

    Ummm….. a fast college chick?
    Comment by hacker bob

    Yes, but not frozen. Heh. :D


  79. Chick Daney says:

    RE 74 – They should have had their picture taken wearing “I’m with Stupid” T-shirts and pointing to the guy to their right. I’m amazed that nay of them theink they have the least chance of getting elected after what will be 8 YEARS of the Bush Nightmare.

    Comment by the republic of stupidity — May 4, 2007 @ 2:14 pm

    Someone told me this morning that this is the Democrats election to lose… The same, I guess, can be said for 2004. And look what happened, you guys ran a loser and you LOST. Please run Hillary, I can hear your “sexist America” excuses ringing out loud already!



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