Sullivan and Bush criticism

Andrew Sullivan approvingly cites the following from the comments section of Daniel Drezner's blog:

Funny, these are the same guys who idolized him for the first five years of his presidency. What changed, all of a sudden? Certainly not Bush, he is still acting the same way he has his entire career.What's changed is that after five years of presidency, the elections are finally over. It is now safe to criticise Bush, because such criticism can't possibly matter any more - it can't affect his reelection chances. Forgive me if I don't perceive this as responsible conservatism. Responsibility would have been criticising him before it's too late to do anything about his weaknesses.

I sent Sullivan the following email:

Andrew, This notion that we should have criticized Bush during the election "when it mattered" is nonsense. Now, AFTER the election, is precisely the time to nail him. During the election if his base abandons him he loses. And then what?

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Well, I happen to believe that however Roberts turns out he will prove better than anyone Kerry would have nominated. CAFTA wouldn't have passed. And given Reid's call for a "Marshall plan" for Katrina I have little faith less money would have been spent. I have little faith Iraq would be any better considering Kerry never had a clearly articulated plan.

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With Bush, when conservatives raise a stink, at least he will listen, or can be forced to. With Bush at least conservatives have some influence. With Kerry there would be zero.

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Now, if you can make the case that Kerry would have been far more thrifty on Katrina, would have cleaned up Iraq, would have Supreme Court nominees who stricly interpret the constitution, would have vetoed the highway and energy bills, would have passed CAFTA, repealed the prescription drug benefit, then yeah, I should have voted for Kerry. But I personally don't see any of that happening.

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Regards,

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Colin

Update: Sullivan responds:

actually i think the analogy is to clinton and a republican congress. he HAD to listen. bush doesn't. he hears no criticism. and he gets none from the most important. andrew

Related thoughts here.