Some republicans are complaining.
Instead of complaining - Republicans should really start worrying about 2008. Dumping Rumsfeld isn't enough to save the Republicans in 2008 - assuming that the Iraq Fiasco is still raging. George Will that commented a few weeks ago that the Republicans will lose a lot more seats if we keep
staying the course for two more years.
Today, the policy of ''staying the course'' means Americans dying to prevent Shiites and Sunnis from killing each other. If in January 2009 more than 100,000 U.S. forces remain in Iraq, there might be 100 fewer Republicans in Congress. So ''stay the course'' is a policy stamped with an expiration date.
http://www.suntimes.com/news/will/105364,CST-EDT-geo22.article
If Bush actually cared about preventing another Democratic landslide in 2008 - he would get out of Iraq today. Otherwise get ready to start singing Hail-to-the-chief to President Hillary. So here's my list of predictions if Bush actually wants to save the Republican Party.
1. Leave Iraq immediately with no preconditions. (i.e,. follow Gen. Odom's strategy).
2. Replace Cheney
immediately with a moderate - preferably with Colin Powell.
3. Start a large 'national' program to end our dependence on imported oil (think Manhattan project level). A good first start would be to immediately raise the CAFE standards (fuel efficiency standards for cars and light trucks/SUVs). Fund the program with a new 10 cents per gallon gas tax.
4. Encourage the surviving Republicans in Congress (house and senate) to elect moderates to their leadership posts. Right wing nutjobs can't be the face of the republican party anymore.
5. Fast track getting Delay behind bars as well as play up his criminal behavior with the message that Delay is the one behind all of the Past Republicans Congress misdeeds. Basically make Delay a very public scapegoat.
6. Apologize for your mistakes. Blaming Iraq on Cheney and Rumsfeld lying to you also wouldn't be a bad idea.
Bush needs to Seize the agenda (and spotlight) from the Democrats before they come out swinging with nail studded baseball bats. A true house cleaning and a bold new policy initiative (or two) that gets people talking and excited may save the Republican party's bacon.