CONSERVATIVE CRACK UP

I wrote about the differences between neo-conservatives and neo-liberals, two types of conservatives, last month. In short, neo-libs (or supply-siders) are in favor of small government and tax cuts; neo-cons are hawkish and believe in the superiority of American culture. These two points of view are now seemingly headed for collision due to the mounting costs of the Iraq war.

From the AP via the Houston Chronicle:

Bush's perceived complacency toward the soaring deficit is setting off a mini-rebellion among otherwise loyal members of the political right who advocate smaller government.

"It's very clear that the one source of contention between Bush and conservatives now is the inability by the White House to show any fiscal discipline," said Stephen Moore, president of the anti-tax, supply-side Club for Growth.

"And he can't blame Congress for the spending orgy when he has signed every spending bill," said Moore, otherwise a staunch Bush supporter.

For sure, the president remains extremely popular among conservatives. They applaud his handling of the fight against terrorism. They appreciate his strong positions against abortion and same-sex marriages. They are grateful for his three consecutive big tax cuts.

Still, new strains are evident.

For more, click here.

And from Slate via J. Orlin Grabbe:

The neocons are the party of war, which is the favored path to what Bill Kristol and David Brooks have termed "national greatness." The supply-siders are the party of tax cuts, which is the favored path to prosperity and, for some, limited government. Thus far, the two camps have coexisted more or less peacefully because the two goals have not come into conflict. Or rather, the two goals have come into conflict, but both camps have refused to recognize that.

For more, click here.

The bottom line is that even hard core conservatives are starting to recognize the insanity of Bush's endless war on terrorism. Frankly, I'm surprised it's taken the neo-libs this long to realize that the White House has created a really bad atmosphere for business. I guess the weird stupor created by 9/11 is beginning to wear off.

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