"COMPASSIONATE CONSERVATIVES"

WASHINGTON, Nov. 21 — Democratic leaders of Congress appealed today to President Bush to intervene in a standoff over extending unemployment benefits. House Republicans said they would not consider any proposal when the House met on Friday. (full story)

A moment of truth for Dubya. Hard right . . . or centrist-triangulation? Surely the ghost of 41's presidency lingers over him, saying "don't lose your conservative base"... uh oh.