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Originally Posted by scandium
He's a neo-conservative, as was his running mate and as are many of the big guns (in their convinction, ideology, and influence) that he appointed to his cabinet. The real conservatives, that is the traditional conservatives one associates with the word "conservative", left during or following his first term (think Colin Powell, for example).
This is perhaps the first neo-conservative American government and the republicans in congress or the senate, whatever their stripe, have largely (with some muted bickering/dissent here and there along the way) followed the lead of the (unitary) executive branch, resulting in neo-conservative policies.
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Very consise, but unfortunatly incorrect. Bush is no 'Neo-Con'. He sits with Neo-Cons, his administration is made up of Neo-Cons (most notably Cheney and Rumsfeld), but he has strayed from the path of the new conservatives.
Examples:
His domestic proceedings have stood in direct opposition to civil liberties. This is outside of the Neo-Conservative doctrine.
He is firmly grounded in the Evangelical Right, as seen with his stance on stem-cell research. Again, contra to Neo-Conservatism.
He has no stance on civil rights, a conerstone of Neo-Conservatism.
He continues to overtly aid Israel, also counter to Neo-Con thought.
Finally, he has no 'Big Stick' policy that is the hallmark of Neo-Conservatism. In fact, he is outright inconsistant. His administration was hostile to the Hussein regime. Outside of a few words of rhetoric, seemingly indifferent to the threats of Iran and North Korea, and downright friendly with Saudi Arabia. Teddy must be spinning in his grave.
EDIT: Scandium feels well enough to discuss politics. It is a good sign that he is on the mend. I am glad to see it.