John Nicols, The Nation
Tuesday night’s Republican presidential debate was, for the most part, a polite affair. Candidates frequently spoke of how much they agreed with their opponents. They acknowledged that, despite differences on issues as fundamental as abortion rights, they would back one another against any Democrat in November, 2OO8. Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney took the wind out of his mild criticisms of former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Arizona Senator John McCain when he kept referring to his fellow front runners as “my friend.”
But the candidates did not go entirely soft when it came to taking partisan potshots.
There was one Republican who suffered a trashing: George W. Bush.
When the candidates were asked how they would “use” the outgoing president in their administrations, the responses were breathtaking.
…”I’ve been so disappointed in the president in so many ways,” said Trancredo, who complained about the administration’s immigration, education and prescription-drug policies before asserting that, “As president, I would have to tell George Bush exactly the same thing that Karl Rove told me”
Yikes.
That’s not a policy difference. That’s hate.
(Original Article)