GOP fears backlash on Bush budget

Concerns focus on programs vs. taxes

By Rick Klein, Globe Staff  |  February 12, 2006

WASHINGTON -- With crucial midterm elections less than nine months away, Republicans are expressing deep skepticism about President Bush's plans to cut social programs while promoting the extension of his tax cuts, saying the juxtaposition of the two GOP priorities could spur an election-year backlash.

The budget proposal Bush unveiled last week is increasingly being met with criticism from both ideological poles of his party. Moderates are expressing concern about slashing popular programs that benefit the poor at the same time they're being asked to cut taxes on the rich, and conservatives are saying the proposal does not go far enough in controlling the record budget deficit.

Those cross-pressures present an election-year conundrum for Republicans. Some fear that the tough choices Bush is forcing on the Republican-controlled House and Senate could feed into Democrats' attempts to make gains in this fall's elections, when all House members and a third of senators are up for reelection.

Rick Klein can be reached at rklein@globe.com.  

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I would say they can pretty much count on it.

 

If they let those tax cuts stand and more of the poor are drowned or simply starve to death in the streets and more of the middle class becomes part of the working poor, they won't get elected again.

 

They may not even be able to run again, once the masses get through with them.