Marvin Olasky coined the term "compassionate conservatism" and was once regarded as a guru for Bush’s presidency. It’s therefore interesting to see his review of Bruce Bartlett’s new book, "Impostor: How George W. Bush Bankrupted America and Betrayed the Reagan Legacy." Money quote:
"Players of the venerable board game Clue know the moment when the party’s over. A contestant may say, "Colonel Mustard in the dining room with the revolver," and be shown surreptitiously a card that kills that theory. But when the next participant says, "Mr. Bush in the conservatory with the lead pipe," and other players say, "I can’t refute that," it’s time to give in.
That’s how I felt when reading Bruce Bartlett’s Impostor: How George W. Bush Bankrupted America and Betrayed the Reagan Legacy (Doubleday, 2006). The desire for alliteration sometimes leads to over-the-top titles, and words like bankrupt and betrayed are too strong. And yet, when Mr. Bartlett lambasts the Bush record on education, drug legislation, pork barrel spending, and other expand-the-government programs‚Äîwell, I can’t refute that.
The metamorphosis of "compassionate conservatism" is particularly sad. I never thought that a switch from 70 years of increasing Washington-centrism would come easily, but I hoped some decentralization was possible. There’s still hope‚Äîwatch movement toward the use of social service vouchers‚Äîbut I can’t refute the charge that this concept has become a rationale for patronage."
The jig really is up, isn’t it? Hey, don’t blame me. I endorsed the other guy last time around for all the same reasons other conservatives are finally voicing in public.
The Dish 