Sorry, RM, but Saul's a "nice guy" thing aside, you're also full of sh!t on the "Republican Party or bust" thing.  It has been a bust since that Big Spending a$$hole Bush was in Office.

"What is this movement you keep talking about in the speech?" the president asked Latimer.

Latimer explained that he meant the conservative movement -- the movement that gave rise to groups like CPAC.

Bush seemed perplexed. Latimer elaborated a bit more. Then Bush leaned forward, with a point to make.

"Let me tell you something," the president said. "I whupped Gary Bauer's ass in 2000. So take out all this movement stuff. There is no movement."

Bush seemed to equate the conservative movement -- the astonishing growth of conservative political strength that took place in the decades after Barry Goldwater's disastrous defeat in 1964 -- with the fortunes of Bauer, the evangelical Christian activist and former head of the Family Research Council whose 2000 presidential campaign went nowhere.

Now it was Latimer who looked perplexed. Bush tried to explain.

"Look, I know this probably sounds arrogant to say," the president said, "but I redefined the Republican Party."

That SOB was only elected because the nation was sick of BJ & Co, and re-elected because of Kerry.  Last rodeo for Big Government Moderates.  Willard reverts to his east coast establishment roots, and the GOP is over.  They can be absorbed into the DNC where they belong.