A phrase coined by the Republicans for the 2000 presidential election in an effort to divert focus from the fact that in recent history the party had not been known for its compassion. Thus, a camouflage over reality, a diversion of attention from unflattering fact, a ruse, a marketing gimmick to cover up a weakness by asserting that you actually have the strength when you don’t.
“In his Inaugural Address, the President called on Americans to become citizens, not spectators. Since that time the President has used compassionate conservatism as his governing philosophy as the Administration has moved to tackle some of society's toughest assignments, such as educating our children, fighting poverty at home, and helping poor countries around the globe.”
by Bill Garnett July 22, 2004
One with mostly conservative views but who wants to differentiate themselves from the more hard-line conservatives of old.
Robin Williams: Compassionate conservative. I don't know what that is, it sounds like a Volvo with a gun rack.
by nycemt83 June 22, 2007
by tnsi October 5, 2009
A myth.
No, really, the campaign tool that worked for Bush in 2000. (Of course, he didn't, technically, WIN, but y'know, he came close enough.) But pretty quickly he realized that, with Tom DeLay running Congress and the media busy taping its own mouth over, he didn't have to do the whole "compassionate" bit.
No, really, the campaign tool that worked for Bush in 2000. (Of course, he didn't, technically, WIN, but y'know, he came close enough.) But pretty quickly he realized that, with Tom DeLay running Congress and the media busy taping its own mouth over, he didn't have to do the whole "compassionate" bit.
"Gee, I like that compassionate conservatism Bush practiced."
"When was that? When he cut taxes for the rich while emasculating our social programs? When he denied birth control to AIDS-stricken Third World countries? When he killed thousands of innocent people in a meaningless oil-war?"
"Uh... good point."
"When was that? When he cut taxes for the rich while emasculating our social programs? When he denied birth control to AIDS-stricken Third World countries? When he killed thousands of innocent people in a meaningless oil-war?"
"Uh... good point."
by MarkusRTK October 16, 2004
by caligirldancer August 19, 2006
The phrase that attempts (unsuccessfully?)to force progressive ideas into a regressive box for the sole purpose of selling warm fuzzies to cold hearted bastards
Ghengis Khan's Mommy? Hitler on Christmas morning? Strom Thurmond while knocking boots with the domestic help? "The neo-fascist allowed the screaming young girl to look away as he hacked off her mother's head, justifying his reputation as a compassionate conservative."
by Publius August 26, 2003
Gearge W. Bush isn't even a compassionate conservative!
by Dragonbreathp9d July 11, 2006