Rove and Thompson

Here's how the game works. It's been used in Wisconsin for years--now it's a Washington play:

Karl Rove, Bush's top political adviser, and GOP leaders are well aware of the problem and are planning a summer offensive to win back conservatives with a mix of policy fights and warnings of how a Democratic Congress would govern. The plan includes votes on tax cuts, a constitutional amendment outlawing same-sex marriage, new abortion restrictions, and measures to restrain government spending. (WaPo article)

American Spectator blog comment:

This is how it works: they neglect the base until: 1- they kick and scream to high heaven (Harriet Miers), or 2- it's an election year. This year, they're offering tokens (sorry, but that's what the marriage amendment and minor abortion restrictions are) or things long overdue (tax cuts -- and only extensions at that).

Can you say "Automatic Gas Tax"?

These are mere bones to placate the masses while they really foul the situation. To wit, as President Bush travels the country promoting the prescription drug benefit, the biggest enlargement of entitlements since the Great Society, they talk about restraining government spending.

Can you say "Failure of TPA"?

So what does that mean? Finally vetoing one bill? Nice start, but let's get serious. The question remains: will conservatives, a naturally trusting crowd, fall in love again for the months running up to the election, or will they refuse to be fooled again?

Good question. And if Tommy Thompson thinks he's the answer--guess again.