Mr Andrew Sullivan,

Let me congratulate you for this wonderful piece of journalistic art and prose on American politics. Within a few paragraphs, you have summarized beautifully and concisely the downfall of the republicans.
That's the best political article I have read since I could read the alphabets.
I remember a quote on Bill Clinton : "He could smile and talk at you and piss on your shoes at the same time and you would not notice a damn thing". That's Machiavelli :)

Denis Li Tim Cheong, Port Louis, Mauritius

For Dan - why in the world do we need another Bush in government? One could think that the only valuable people belonging to the Republican party are from the Bush family. I for one have had enough of them. When the first one was president, I didn't really agree with most of what he did but compared to his son, he was a compassionate genius.
And for DRS, why "Lord save us all from AMERICAN politics" - I don't think that politics is any better in England or in France where I live for example. Americans just have more world power.

Alan Denisot, Chambery, France

I think Jeb would would make an outstanding commander in chief.

Dan, Council Bluffs, IA

An overlooked part of the Republicans' current predicament is that for the last 2 decades or more, Independents had more frequently sided with Republicans in elections, particularly since the Democrats were perceived as weak on national defense since Vietnam. However, starting in 2006 polls show that Independents have abandoned their support of Republicans in droves and begun siding with Democrats, primarily because of Iraq. Iraq destroyed the Republicans' claim to be the party of national security since the Iraq debacle has weakened American security. Also, it became glaringly obvious that Bush and the Republicans have isolated the U.S. internationally. So the Republicans have no one but themselves to blame. The same defection of Independents has occurred here in Colorado; in the astonishingly short space of 4 years (2002-2006), we have gone from a Republican Governor and Legislature to a Democratic Governor and Legislature, and we're hosting the 2008 Democratic Natl. Convention.

Mark M, Highlands Ranch, Colorado/USA

You know, all of you who are saying that Dubya might try and run again based on his having really lost the first time, I could really see that happening!! Actually, I think he sit back and get ole' Jeb elected so they can then go after Iran. I mean, he went in and finished up what Daddy didn't finish, so why wouldn't Jeb do the same? Lord save us all from American politics!!!!!

DRS, Denver, NC, USA

This Administration has killed over 600,000 PEOPLE, on lie after lie, they deserve the worst things we could do to them, how about adding them to the SURGE

jim edson, windsor,

I thought there were "WMD's" in Iraq without anyone telling me and I'm voting for John McCain. I secretly hope that some more of our so called allies will join the fight against fascism. But you know there are people out there that think this movement by radical Islam will just magically blow over or something if we have a change of power in Washington. I wish. Karl Rove, I'm not sure what he does or has done, is human like you and me. God almighty is in control of planet earth here and the best that we can all do is react to situations as they occur. Standing idle while genocides and ethnic cleansings take place is not honerable behavior in Gods eyes I don't think. Thanks!

Danny, Council Bluffs, Iowa / U.S.

"He is regarded as being at the centre of the outing of Valerie Plame, the former covert CIA agent. "

Only poorly informed, Bush bashing lefties spout that nonsense....Plame was outed by Richard Armitage, nothing to do with Rove.

viv, London, England

To Scary,

I don't think Kim is suggesting that Bush should be impeached simply because she/he disagrees with him. I think she would like to see him impeached because he lied to the American people which is now considered an impeachable offense. Not only did he take an oath to uphold the Constitution, which he has repeatedly failed to do, he lied about the WMDs in Iraq. He knew there were none before he went on television and told the American people that there were to justify a pointless and obscene war. I too think the Shrub should be impeached.

As for the article, Mr. Sullivan has presented a very accurate explanation for the implosion of the Republican party.

Cate, Florida, USA

Kim Righetti: interesting that you say that George Bush's patriot act was bad for civil liberties and I agree with you. You undermine your argument, however, when you go on to say that somebody whose opinions you don't share should face prosecution (of which impeachment is the first step), suggesting that Bush doesn't have the right to disagree with you.

Either you believe in freedom of thought and democracy or you don't: make your mind up.

Scary, Windsor, Berks

Couldn't George W. sign a "signing statement" saying that he is preznint for as long as he likes, at his 'pleasure' so to speak? If there's any dissent, all he has to say is "that's what Clinton did".

Bill, Gatesville,

You can label George W. Bush with whatever name you'd like. It comes down to the fact that he is a disgrace. His failed foreign policies have set The US back 100 years. Civil liberties take a backseat to his unconstitutional Patriot Act. This guy needs to be impeached!

Kim Righetti, Upland, Calif. USA

"BTW, I read the Times online every day here in NY. I love it! We have NOBODY resembling Jeremy Clarkson here! Dan Hermann, Brooklyn"

If you stump up the postage we could always send him over to you, heartbreaking though that might be for us all.

Richie, Brighton , UK

Machiavelli also cautioned against self-delusion. You neatly argued that Karl Rove is no Machiavelli. Machiaveli would have planted fake WMD's in carefully labeled Iraqi warehouses where they would then be "discovered" by our military after the invasion, rather than let missing WMD's be used as political weapons by Democrats. Old Nicolo would also have reminded everyone that any President can fire any U.S. Attorney at any time with no reason given (just as Clinton fired all 93 back in 1993), because U.S. attorneys are political appointees who serve solely at the pleasure of the President. Machiavelli would also point out that true covert CIA operatives don't drive through the front gates at CIA headquarters to report to work every day, as Valerie Plame did. Nicolo would ask if true covert operatives submit their names to Who's Who In American Politics, as Plame did; or if true covert operatives pose for husband/wife photos to appear in Vanity Fair magazine; as Valerie Plame did.

Allen, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Tracey from San Diego,

There is no such word as disingenuine. Do you mean disingenuous.

Also, nice takes the comparative nicer rather than more nice.

As for your point, I quite agree.

Stan, St Albans, England

The Republican Party is seriously damaged. It may mean very little to many people at home and abroad but the American political system is designed for two parties. It frowns on third parties. So it's important for any movement, interest, or group in American politics to work in a party. It also allows the American states to change parties. The South is locked into the Republican Party. The Northeast Corridor and the Pacific states are Democratic. It's the Midwest that's been the battleground states for some time. W has pushed them into the hands of the Democrats by default. It's going to take years to live down Iraq.

DTL, Boston, Massachusetts

Right, Andrew. The democrats and liberals are sooooo much more civil and nice than the republicans. Where have you been living? Both parties are after nothing but power. If you think Pelosi and Reid will be any more honest than Bush and Rove then you are being disingenuine.

Tracey, San Diego, CA, USA

'Moderate, congenial, and compassionate Republican'. You are joking, right? Bush as victim of Rove. Priceless. Now that's Machiavellian. That poor, innocent man. Don't forget to blame his father - or his brother, as long as you are looking for some way to keep the President honest and ignorant.

Severin, London, UK

Sadly, the mismanagement of the war can be laid at the feet of Rumsfeld and Rove. The use of the flag in the states (symbolic patriotism) kept people from having significant debates on the war's prosecution. What has hurt GWB the most with his base is his "LIBERAL" social spending and lack of border control. The Rupublicans are losing their base because the spend like drunken sailors. With fiscal responsibility, the national debt would be under control. The Republican base would be supportive. Iraq was always predicted to be a long and bitter struggle. We are still in Korea. We will likely still be in Iraq in 20 years. Unless we abandon it like Vietnam. At least the Vietnamese only want to be left alone. I shudder to think of the Muslim nuclear states that are going to blackmail the west for years to come.

Jay , Orlando, FL

I would suggest that your recollection of a time where "it was cool to be a conservative" is as delusional as your Christian beliefs.

David, Beverly , MA

Dear Sirs,
Recently in the House of Commons, Politicians were criticizing Robert Mugabie unlawful rule. Surely they do not think for one minute the British public are going to applaud them, especially considering when this government has known for over a decade how Robert Mugabie has been responsible for countless acts of mass genocide, torture, letting his people starve and vote fixing?

It was only a couple of years ago the England Cricket team were planning to boycott playing in Zimbabwe, in protest of how Mugabie was treating his people. In the end, the majority of the cricketers decided against a boycott, but this was mainly to do with our government threatening to withdraw sponsorship in the form of government funding.

Samuel Richards, Worcester, England

Eh? Well, it's fair to say I never liked the de-masculinization to an otherwise decent quasi intellectual, albeit, a limey... Ah, I suppose on the other hand, to inform, Harvard College also decreed Allan Keyes a political science doctorate (phd). I'm a bit more impressed with Matt Damon and the like.

I suppose any clear read of the "Prince" might net one an objective scaling of a more exact value of Sullivan's extensive experience within/without the hallowed halls of like grifters. Of course, were it not objectionalbe, he and others could simply consult with an old friend, who coincidentally, is tried-n-true both as a fellow warrior and an honest-to-goodness real intellectual: JFK School of Government's very own Bernie Trainor, LTG, USMC (Ret); we really don't actually require quibbling from the 'never were'.

Joshua, Belleville, Illinois

Maybe Rove really wants a Democratic majority, and is isolating and destroying the Republicans from within. Now, that would be Machiavellian...

Bill, Cumberland, MD

I think the point that Gary is making is that the Dems look like they're fighting the last war, not the next, whipping a dead horse. The temptation will be great to do so because of all the pent up rage among anti Bush people. But whoever the Republicans put up, he'll be running as the UN-BUSH candidate. The Dems need to be ready for that.
BTW, I read the Times online every day here in NY. I love it! We have NOBODY resembling Jeremy Clarkson here!

Dan Hermann, Brooklyn, NY USA

Gary S. should know better. George Bush can only serve two terms as president. Of course, I wouldn't put it beyond him and Rove to suddenly claim, come GOP Convention time, that he technically was *not* elected in 2000, that the Democrats bestowed the presidency on him as some sort of gift or guilt offering, so he would therefore be eligible to run again in 2008. I would like to see them try that trick.

Sam, Rockville, MD, USA

I think it's wonderful that so many US citizens (or, at least, residents) read a national British daily newspaper.

I shall never again say that Americans have a narrowly parochial view of world affairs.

Alan Ainsworth, London, England

Sad

chuckles, montclair, nj

I can see the Bushies having slipped something into the Patriot Act that allows Bush to be Dictator for Life.

Shane N, Billings, MT

Gary, not sure if you are making a bar bet, but how about this: W will not win in 2008. I'll bet whatever amount of money you want.

Willie, Gilbert, AZ

Beat Dubya in 2008 at what?

Are you expecting a Constitutional amendment any time soon?

Gene Touchet, Palm Springs , California

To bert and Schroeder: You have to remember that Bush cannot run in 2008. There is a two term limit.

Greg, atlanta, MI

Gary - what are you talking about? Dubya can't run again in 08? I know he has open dislike for the Constitution, but even he can't avoid his own term limits.

Tom Smyth, Richmond, VA

Bert,
Gary is being ironic. The American constitution does not allow Bush to run again in 2008, ergo no one will beat him in 2008. I've always said Brits don't get irony... ;-P

Matt, beijing,

Um, lads, by 2008 George W Bush will have served two terms - the maximum number permitted for a US President.

Legally, that means he CAN'T run again.

Unless, of course, he concedes that he actually LOST in 2000, meaning that, legally, he would have only served one term (from the 2004 election), and hence...

August, Dallas, Texas, USA

Bush's approval ratings are around 30%, and a lot of people are wondering who those 30% could possibly be. Gary, evidently you're one of them, and you're planning to vote for Bush in 2008. Good luck with that.

bert, London,

It would be nice if Mr. Sullivan were correct in his pronouncement of the demise of the snarling wing of the Republican party, but "nice" has never been a word appropriate in describing the American political scene and certainly not in these days. As a native of the state of Indiana - a "Hoosier" for you Brits who know how to appreciate the cozy warmth of the American midlands - I can only hope that the end is fast approaching for the ascendancy of the southern breed of political animal who grins in your face as he/she twists the knife in your back. I listen to the Karl Roves of our nation with my back firmly pressed to the wall and try not to fall into a doze under the spell of that soft, drawling voice. It's hard not to turn away from the nasty spectacle and escape into the bliss of passive acceptance, but I think of that knife and decide I'd rather go down fighting to the end.

Robert Burch, Columbus, Indiana

Anybody want to bet that nobody will beat Dubya in 2008? I'll give 10 to 1 odds. Democratics are running against the wrong man again. Fatal mistake ...

Gary Schroeder, Azle, Texas

"I remember when it was actually cool to be conservative."

Common maybe; cool never.

Peter, London, UK