Echoes Of Dubya From John W. McBush

Believe it or not, there’s still more from Michael Morrill at Keystone Progress that I didn’t get to previously…

Like McCain, Bush Promised Bipartisanship

1999: Bush Bragged He "Worked Closely With Both Parties." At a speech given to the Latin Business Association Luncheon, George W. Bush said, "This reform movement also requires a different mindset in politics. Education is too important to have a strategy of divide and conquer. Unless parents and principals, teachers and academics, Republicans and Democrats can find common purposes, reform will fail. I have worked closely with both parties in my state, because I know that if we set out to score partisan points, we will never solve problems. If we do not share credit for progress, all of us deserve the blame for failure." ["No Child Left Behind" speech, via Project Vote Smart, 9/2/99, emphasis added]

2008: McCain Bragged About Working "With Members Of Both Parties." In his acceptance speech at the Republican Convention, McCain said, "Again and again, I've worked with members of both parties to fix problems that need to be fixed. That's how I will govern as President." [RNC, 9/4/08, emphasis added]

Like McCain, Bush Promised To End “Partisan Rancor”

2000: Top Adviser Said Bush Would "Clean Up The Partisan Rancor." The Ottawa Citizen reported, "The presidential candidate will set the tone of his campaign with his primetime acceptance speech today. 'The tone will reflect the direction he wants to take the country in,' said Ed Gillespie, one of Mr. Bush's policy advisers. 'He wants to clean up the partisan rancour which has marred the political process.' 'He will show a new, fresh political style which is more inclusive,' Mr. Gillespie added." [Ottawa Citizen, 8/3/00]

2008: McCain Addressed "The Constant Partisan Rancor" In Washington. In his convention speech at the Republican Convention, McCain said, "The constant partisan rancor that stops us from solving these problems isn't a cause, it's a symptom." [The Atlantic, 9/4/08]

And lest we forget...

Bush's Tax Cuts Pay For Cindy's Outfit

According to Vanity Fair, the outfit Cindy McCain wore at the Republican Convention Tuesday night cost a whooping $313,100.

Oscar de la Renta dress: $3,000
Chanel J12 White Ceramic Watch: $4,500
Three-carat diamond earrings: $280,000
Four-strand pearl necklace: $11,000-$25,000
Shoes, designer unknown: $600

Total: Between $299,100 and $313,100

I hope she thanked Laura Bush while they were on stage together. According to an analysis by the Center for American Progress Action Fund, the McCains have received $313,413 thanks to George Bush's tax cut.

If John McCain were President, she might have been able to add a bracelet to the ensemble. According to the same study under McCain proposed tax cuts they would have received tax breaks of $367,788.

And as we always know, as far as the Repugs are concerned, "tax cuts will always be their 'Jesus'" (here).