Bush can salvage his Presidency if he steers hard Right.

With the withdrawal of Harriet Miers' nomination, I believe the Bush White House has an opportunity to regain some momentum. Even despite the investigations into the CIA name leak, if Bush nominates a Right-wing activist to the court, along the lines of a Janice Rogers Brown, and Bush signs decent immigration legislation, I believe the conservative base can be re-energized...enough to even pick up seats in Congress and retain the White House. In fact, I could see Bush being able to revive hopes of Social Security reform if he nominates a rabid conservative to the Court.

My point? When Republicans steer hard right, we win elections and we leave a shining legacy. When we act like Democrats, the masses would rather vote for Democrats. For example, when the New Jersey "Republicans" in the legislature acted like socialistic Democrats, they lost the majority. In '94, with the Contract With America, Republicans steered to the Right and we picked up seats. Despite Reagan's spending and despite Iran-Contra, the rememberance of President Reagan upon his death was almost worshipful. Reagan got votes from Democrats because he provided a clear, right-wing vision for the country.

So, if Bush caters to his conservative base, it will give him the momentum he needs, and the party needs, to change the composition of the court, to pass decent immigration reform, to reform Social Security, to pick up seats in Congress and perhaps the State legislatures, and to leave a legacy that will be remembered fondly.