Now, the fact is that there were risks on both sides to this strategy. Republicans were able to use that tax-raising vote in 1994 and it helped them win the Congress. That was the gist of the spin, anyway. As the saying goes, to the victor goes the spoils. Arguably, while ergonomics repeal is far greater net plus for the economy, the vote itself was as important to the GOP's business base as was the Family and Medical Leave to the Democrats' base eight years ago.
Elections allow elected leaders to reward friends and punish enemies.
George W. Bush has little to fear in that regard. Purists might quibble with that decision, but the truth is that this strategy allows Bush to make the economy and taxes the main battle. The public will allow partisanship in the pursuit of a broad-based agenda. It will not tolerate narrow, selfish ideological pursuits. Democrats may wail and moan to their hearts content about how partisan Bush is, but as long as it looks like he is doing his job first and foremost, rather than pursuing a narrow ideology, he will thrive.