Lincoln Republicans

My opinion is that Lincoln was perhaps our greatest President, not
because he was a fanatical Christian, or dogmatist, (which he was not)
but I think he tried to follow the ideals of Jesus. I think he tried
to provide leadership and integrity and, in my opinion, compassion not
just for friends but for "enemies" (who he regarded as possibly
friends, underneath.)

George W. Bush won the presidency in 2000, portrayed as a Lincoln
Republican. He trumpetted his COMPASSION, that he was compassionate
Republican. His keynote address nominating him was the moderate-
liberal Colin Powell in the spotlight, which reiterated the more
liberal (kinder and gentler) image Bush wanted for the new GOP.

The theme he preached was "Closing the Gap of Hope." He was going to
work with the other side of the aisle, and Democrats-and-Republicans
would learn from each other. There would be inclusivenss. There would
be "No Child Left Behind."

But now, looking back it seems strange.  President Bush, instead of
leading his party toward a more compassionate, LINCOLN-like outlook,
rentrenched back to greater partisan narrowness, exclusion, and
ideological closed-mindedness. His hard-right "core constituency" were
delighted.

But he departed the high gospel ideals of helping those in need,
reaching out to all Americans, and both liberals and conservatives
learning from each other.  Forgetting his own pledges to close the gap
of hope, Bush seemed to care only about keeping his hard right "base"
happy.

As a moderate Republican, I have been at a loss.

I came across Pat Buchanan's book. How the Right Went Wrong. Highly
critical of Bush and his militaristic tilt. Letting Cheney and
Rumsfield in effect run things.

Personally, I have no problem with staunch support of Israel.  I am
sure we as a nation have obligations in the world, and in the middle
east.

However, my opinion is that President Bush, realizing how his own
father became alienated from his base (Rush Limbaugh was bashing the
elder base daily, back in 1991). The son did not want to make the
mistake his father made.  But in my opinion he made another
(opposite)  mistake.

It is the hard right that is the problem. President Bush should have
stood up to them and their narrowness.  One time, when his disciples
were being obnoxious, Jesus told them "Ye know not what spirit ye are
of."

If Obama is elected, from how he has acted so far, I expect he will
TRY to work (bipartisan like) with the Republicans.

I guess that open minded attitude is part of what I love about him.