The rehabilitation of Bush II?

[Chartist]

More than once on Atlas I've seen conservatives (reacting to the election) say that the Republican party needs to return to 'compassionate conservatism'. There's also been a bit of nostalgia about Bush's success with the Latino vote (40% in 2004; 11% of the black vote too).

Since the Republicans have lost 3 of the last 4 elections, is there going to be pressure from moderates to turn back to the formula that got the party their last elected President? Is Dubya going to be rehabilitated in the internal fight against the Tea Party?

[Sasquatch]

When are the GOP going to let W. out of witness protection?

[Okay, maybe Mike Johnson is a competent parliamentarian.]

It's entirely reasonable to rehabilitate Bush's campaigning and rhetorical strategies--particularly the ones from 2000, which absent the very high popularity of the outgoing Clinton he would likely have won relatively comfortably. Even I said to friends at multiple points during this election that I was actually a lot more okay with and relatively non-disgusted by Bush's campaigning and rhetoric compared to Romney's. Rehabilitating his governing strategies is another story.

[zorkpolitics]

Well we see.  Perhaps Jeb Bush (the smart one) will run in 2016 against Hillary Clinton (the tough one).  And all the old themes will be back in vogue.

[Ljube]

I would suggest leaving out the Bush name. But I support the compassionate conservative approach.

[Antonio the Sixth]

Bush was absolutely horrible. The fact Romney was even worse only says things about Romney.

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

What? Voters on Tuesday still blame Bush more than Obama for the economy.

[anvi]

What Nathan said about rehabilitating Bush's campaign approach and not his governing strategy.  Bush '43 was actually an extremely, extremely clever politician, and he knew how to capture people's votes..

[BaldEagle1991]

Well we see.  Perhaps Jeb Bush (the smart one) will run in 2016 against Hillary Clinton (the tough one).  And all the old themes will be back in vogue.

I hope, wish, and pray this will never happen.

On topic: I think there will be a softening of the GOP's stance on immigration from this point on, as well perhaps a small but subtle "multicultural" approach to minorities, but it won't be enough to make a difference by 2016. Besides, "compassionate conservatism" is somewhat oxymoronic to me, I can go all day about why.

[Fmr. Pres. Duke]

Hey man, say what you want about W, he was a good politician and the GOP was in a lot better shape after winning 45% of hispanics in 2004 than they are right now.