[George_1950]

George W. Bush ran for president as a "compassionate conservative". He was able to streamline the party nomination process in 2000, as opposed to Hillary and Obama in 2008. Bush promised a new tone in Washington and a willingness to listen to both parties. He has kept his promise.
Three of Bush's accomplishments are educational reform, prescription drug plan, and scuttling immigration reform; all three are easily moderate Democrat type policies. Bush was able to accomplish moderate tax reform, but it included a sunset provision. He let Congress run rough-shod over the taxpayers for six years with exploding budgets, until the majority of voters decided that if spending is such a priority, then let's elect some folks who know how to do it right.
After 7 1/2 years, George W. is the least popular president in polling history. The Republican Party is almost off the map. My assessment is that George W. is the face of the New Democratic Party, and the Dems should be in the majority this election cycle, except that the Democrat Party is taking a huge turn to the left with Barack.

[Galveston1]

Well, as I remember it, the Democratic party used to be the working man's party. That was a loooong time ago. Now the middle of the Republican party is about where the Dems were then, and the far side of the Dems now should be called Marxists, or at least Socialists. Our whole political spectrum is moving leftward. We need great change, especially in both houses of Congress. Less dependency on government, but when so many voters are wards of the State, they will vote for more freebees until their dead weight stops the whole shebang. I really fear it is inevitable. Hope not, though!

[tomder55]

Our whole political spectrum is moving leftward

Meanwhile the European electorate is rejecting the leftist .

Europe Circles The Flat Tax

Townhall.com::Conservatism: Alive and Well in Western Europe::By Johnnie B. Byrd

Mayor election 2008: Tories look to Boris Johnson to seal election success - Telegraph

Italians Restore Conservative Berlusconi to Power : NPR

Conservative, controversial Sarkozy wins French election | csmonitor.com

[George_1950]

Here he goes again: "Housing flip puts Bush in GOP doghouse
By DAVID ROGERS | 7/24/08 4:59 AM EST
"A massive mortgage rescue bill advanced in Congress on Wednesday, powered by President Bush's endorsement but leaving House Republicans and the administration badly split over the government's response to the current housing crisis." Housing flip puts Bush in GOP doghouse - David Rogers - Politico.com