Hot on Facebook

Guy Buys $123 Safe on eBay, Finds $26,000 Inside Seller tries to get half the cash back, fails »

GOP Moderates in Agony Over Key Votes

Stick with the president or try to get re-elected?

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted Sep 19, 2007 2:30 PM CDT

(Newser) – Moderates in the GOP are dreading upcoming votes that will force them to choose between loyalty to their president and their reelection prospects, the Washington Post reports. Upcoming congressional showdowns on the Iraq war, children’s health care, and spending will be particularly perilous to those facing voters next fall. “We are at a very significant juncture,” said one representative. “I’d use a metaphor… about something hitting the fan.”

Republican support could overcome promised vetoes of Democratic proposals to guarantee downtime for troops and spend on border security and emergency preparedness. Republicans fall on both sides of those votes, but few are finding the choices palatable. “It's not whether we'll stand with the president,” said one Representative, “but with the principles that minted the majority in 1994.”

US President George W. Bush (C), sitting next to Speaker of the... (Getty Images)

President Bush speaks to members of military support organizations, Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2007, on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds) (Associated Press)

Sen. Chuck Hagel, R-Neb., announces at a news conference in Omaha, Neb., Monday, Sept. 10, 2007, that he will not seek re-election. Hagel, a persistent critic of the Iraq war, said he will not seek a... (Associated Press)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

Iraq Gov't Fails Progress Report

US-backed regime lags on all economic and political targets

(NEWSER) - The Iraqi government has failed to meet any of the benchmarks for reforms mandated when Congress funded the troop surge, according to a progress report due out this week. An unnamed official tells the AP that the disappointing outcome will accelerate the administration's decision-making process on Iraq, but another anonymous source says any policy alteration awaits a mid-September progress report. More»

Bush Sets Disapproval Record

69% of Americans give prez thumbs down—lowest in Gallup's 70 years

(NEWSER) - Only 28% of Americans approve of George W. Bush’s handling of the presidency, a new low for his administration, USA Today reports. In addition, his disapproval rate—69%—is the lowest in the 70-year history of the Gallup poll. Dissatisfaction over war in Iraq and the soured economy continue to pummel Dubya, whose 90% post-9/11 approval rating also set a record. More»

Americans Blame War for Economic Woes: Poll

71% see negative impact; 61% want quick withdrawal from next president

(NEWSER) - The Iraq war and the current economic crisis aren’t unrelated issues in the minds of most Americans, a CNN poll finds. 71% said the war, which began five years ago today, helped cause the economic storm. Just 32% support the mission, with 61% saying the new president should withdraw most troops “within a few months of taking office.” More»

Gingrich to GOP: Abandon Bush

Speaker says GOP must bring 'dramatic, bold change' to win in '08

(NEWSER) - Republican presidential candidates should make a “clean break” from the Bush Administration, Newt Gingrich declared today. “If you don't represent real change, you just gave away the 2008 election,” the former Speaker said, citing Iraq, the Hurricane Katrina response, and border control as reasons for public unhappiness. Gingrich also said he is highly unlikely to join the race himself. More»

Hagel Bows Out of '08 Race

Senator had promised to serve just two terms, will not seek White House

(NEWSER) - GOP hopes to stop the Dems in next year's election took another hit today as aides announced Chuck Hagel's retirement from the Senate. They also dashed rumors that he will run for the White House on an Independent ticket alongside Michael Bloomberg. Hagel’s departure leaves the GOP with 22 contestable seats to defend in 2008, the New York Times reports. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

GOP Moderates in Agony Over Key Votes

Stick with the president or try to get re-elected?

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Related Links

Bush administration • Republican • GOP • Bush approval ratings • voters • Iraq war • Iraq war spending

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Iraq Gov't Fails Progress Report

US-backed regime lags on all economic and political targets

Bush Sets Disapproval Record

69% of Americans give prez thumbs down—lowest in Gallup's 70 years

Americans Blame War for Economic Woes: Poll

71% see negative impact; 61% want quick withdrawal from next president

Gingrich to GOP: Abandon Bush

Speaker says GOP must bring 'dramatic, bold change' to win in '08

Hagel Bows Out of '08 Race

Senator had promised to serve just two terms, will not seek White House

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?

GOP Moderates in Agony Over Key Votes

Stick with the president or try to get re-elected?

Bookmark & Share

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Related Links

Bush administration • Republican • GOP • Bush approval ratings • voters • Iraq war • Iraq war spending

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Iraq Gov't Fails Progress Report

US-backed regime lags on all economic and political targets

Bush Sets Disapproval Record

69% of Americans give prez thumbs down—lowest in Gallup's 70 years

Americans Blame War for Economic Woes: Poll

71% see negative impact; 61% want quick withdrawal from next president

Gingrich to GOP: Abandon Bush

Speaker says GOP must bring 'dramatic, bold change' to win in '08

Hagel Bows Out of '08 Race

Senator had promised to serve just two terms, will not seek White House

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?