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First Read is an analysis of the day's political news, from the NBC News political unit. First Read is updated throughout the day, so check back often.

Chuck Todd, NBC Political Director

Mark Murray, NBC Deputy Political Director

Domenico Montanaro, NBC News Political Reporter



Bush at CPAC

Posted: Friday, February 08, 2008 11:03 AM by Mark Murray
Filed Under:

From NBC’s Lindsey Pritzlaff
President Bush opened today’s events at CPAC. Bush was originally slated to speak at 10:20 am, but because of his recently scheduled trip to Tennessee, it was pushed up to 7:15 am. Even with the early start, Bush received a warm welcome from the crowd -- primarily made up of college students.

It has been eight years since the last time Bush spoke at CPAC, and he used his time to outline the successes of his administration. “My energy is up, my spirit is high, and I will finish strong,” he said. As he touched on education, the economy, and the war in Iraq, those in attendance chanted “W” and applauded frequently. Bush said, “My decision to remove Saddam Hussein was the right decision at the time, and it is still the right decision today,” to which he received a standing ovation and one of this loudest applause.

Bush made no mention of any candidate by name from either party. He did address the divide between the Republicans and Democrats’ positions on education, abortion, taxes, and judicial appointments. The crowd screamed “No,” as Bush outlined the Democrats’ positions. “This is an important election,” said Bush, adding that conservatives “must keep the White House in 2008.”

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Does anybody think that had this been the Democrats and still unpopular war that the Republicans would be in support of such a national security endeavor?  Is it a matter of ideology or party loyalty, why?  Given the lack of backing of McCain, I'm guessing party loyalty.
THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IS OVER. THANKS AS ALWAYS TO YOUR FRIEND AND NOT MINE G.W.B. ! LOOSER !
Wait until these kool-aid drinking collage kids finish their education and realize that the Shrub left them with a colossal debt they will be paying for years; but probably not; they are the off-spring (Stepford kids) these white,rich, entiled, spoiled and hateful young adults who are just following in their parents shoes.
And ..... signal usually ignorant anti-Bush rejects who think they're actually changing someone's opinion even though the only people reading your crap already don't like Bush - GO!
I heard a report from CPAC that they are dispensing mass amounts of "Anti-Hillary" gear. T-shirts, basebal caps, 3 dollar bills with her picture, dart boards with her picture...and so on. The thugs are poised to begin smearing. I don't want these guys running my country anymore. I want a change in the destructive foreign policy. I want a change in the tax breaks for the corporations that shipped MY job overseas. (yes the electronics manuf plant where I worked for 12 years is closing) I want an administration that will respect the rule of law, I want Barack Obama to be the next President, but even more I want a Democrat in the White House, I want George W Bush to be held accountable for his crimes.
you go, W. The Endless War and Deeep Recession President.  Give the poor fool a standing O, all ye Young Republicans---and maybe teach hiim to speak English, while you're at it.
The first Democrat General Election campaign ad should feature Bush supporting McCain...that will end McCain's campaign in 2 seconds.
After the betrayal of the conservative base by Gov.Romney yesterday,a tap in the back of Sen.McCain by Pres.Bush is all the social conservatives wanted to see today..As a conservative that already casted my ballot for Gov.Romney i urge all conservatives to vote for Congr.Paul or Gov.Huchabee in the remaining states.Sen.McCain is the trojan horse of the liberals that will eventually destroy the republican party.
Although I am a Huckabee supporter, I have to defend something that John McCain said which many reference in their comments. The 100 years in Iraq he was referring to is not 100 years of the same things we have. We are trying to stabilize Iraq and be able to have a presence there like our military has all over the world. How long have we been in Germany? How long have we had troops stationed in other non-war areas? He is simply saying that we will continue to have vested interest in the well-being of Iraq and that region and will continue to work towards prosperity for both Iraqis and Americans. The vision is to be able to have a productive working relationship with them, like we do with say, Germany, in order to secure our future. In the meantime, it is important that we continue to evolve the relationship and work towards progress as well as work towards becoming less dependant on that region for our well-being (oil, etc...).

You should check out Mike Huckabee's campaign and the advantages of the Fair Tax, which would help to create an environment within our own country that will cultivate a stronger domestic economy and move us towards independance from other nations.
How foolish are you to think the gop do not already have the smear machine ready to hit Obama?Once again they really are smarter than democrats.They will not only run their own election they will run yours also.How long will it take for many of you to get smart?They can always fool at least half of you and that is all they need.You cannot fight back because you whine and attack each other.
The "bush youth" and his stormtroopers will always be ready to support him to the death. It is not even about telling a big lie to go to war. These guys are eternally ready to attack and occupy. It really don't matter where or why.
You Idoit Lib's just don't get do ya! If it wasn't for W you'd more than likely be digging holes for your loved ones and then kneeling on a rug kissing some terrorists *## . Economy ! I'm Making more money now than when Slick Willie was in office OH by the way ask him what HE did with my 401k
I was wondering if anyone of you heard a speech, i think yesterday critizing Clinton and Obama if they were president that they would destroy our "peace and prosperity" that the nation enjoys. What an idiot!
I was amused by the initial lack of commentary--yeah, Bush is a lame duck and irrelevant. Then, I got to thinking, he can do a lot of damage between now and Jan 2009, specially with our current Congress.
He's been a disaster for Republicans.
Clinton gutted the military, but his ill-planned war in Iraq did nothing to improve our fighting capability, and we're conscripting dropouts, criminals and aliens. Our veterans get lousy care and support.
We are NOT safer, Osama is NOT dead, and some of our allies are in danger of losing their influence. Not to mention the Chinese own our economy and we have become a pariah state to the rest of the world.
The Clinton surplus was smoke and mirrors, but the current recession is real.
None of the social conservative ideas are law-no prohibition of gay marriage, abortion, no prayer in schools.
Bush can rail about earmarks NOW, but his Congresses passed record spending bills and Bush signed them.
Almost all of his conservative picks for the bench or prominent are stymied in Congress. Congress and the nation are at complete loggerheads on policy, on values, on priorities.
In the meantime, Bush has been fighting Richard Nixon's battles for the Imperial Presidency, a tactic that will guarantee indictments next year.
Nice work George.
Anybody who is still a Bush supporter surely has a real case of Stockholm syndrome.
dean nikolaou,chicago,ill says:

"Sen.McCain is the trojan horse of the liberals that will eventually destroy the republican party."

No No No Dean, Bush was (the Trojan Horse)
Will the CPAC conventioneers still be shouting "four more years" this fall when we are in a deep recession?
http://jtaplin.wordpress.com/2008/02/08/george-w-bust/


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