GOP slams Bush policies at retreat

• Article
• Comments ()
• Click-2-Listen

By

Growing frustration over President Bush's immigration plan and lack of fiscal discipline came to a head behind closed doors at last weekend's Republican retreat in Philadelphia.

House lawmakers, stunned by the intensity of their constituents' displeasure at some of Mr. Bush's key domestic policies, gave his political strategist Karl Rove an earful behind closed doors.

"It was intense, but I was not surprised at the tone of questioning during Rove's session," said Rep. Tom Feeney, Florida Republican. "But then this was supposed to be a no-holds-barred discussion, and our constituents are upset."

"They were all over Karl on immigration and spending," said Rep. Tom Tancredo, Colorado Republican and a leading House proponent of controlling the nation's borders and curbing illegal immigration. "This is the first time I didn't even have to raise the immigration issue myself. Everyone else did."

Mr. Rove addressed the retreat Jan. 29, followed by Office of Management and Budget Director Joshua B. Bolten the next day and Mr. Bush on Saturday.

"It's no great secret that some members of Congress don't agree with every single thing the president is doing," said White House spokesman Trent Duffy. "But he is trying to lead the country, to broaden the party. He promoted his ideas and his agenda for those in the room."

By most accounts, Mr. Rove and Mr. Bolten received the worst of it.

"I would not say we jumped all over Karl, but we did have a very pointed discussion about the concerns we are hearing from our base," said Rep. Marsha Blackburn, Tennessee Republican.

"Most of our members are very concerned about what they perceived as amnesty for illegal aliens under the president's immigration proposal," said Mrs. Blackburn, adding that she made it "very clear" to Mr. Rove that "this is something I'm not going to support."