ASHINGTON - Presidential rivals and leading conservatives accused George W. Bush yesterday of declaring ''war on the conservative movement'' with his strong critique of the GOP's emphasis on social and economic issues.
Pat Robertson said Bush's bid to soften the party's rougher edges threatens to ''alienate the core conservatives of the Republican Party.'' The Christian Coalition founder had all but endorsed the GOP front-runner Friday.
That was before Bush delivered an address Tuesday that could test his ability to appease conservatives while courting moderate voters. The Texas governor said Republicans too often sound pessimistic, confuse limited government with ''a disdain for government itself'' and focus on economics ''to the exclusion of all else.''
He had already upset Republican congressional leaders by criticizing plans to shift money from a tax credit program for the working poor.
Despite the efforts of his presidential rivals to stir discontent, several conservatives defended Bush. The most notable words of support came from Randy Tate, who works for Robertson and said Bush is only guilty of being ''a card-carrying member of the optimistic wing of the party.''
The schism underscored the conservative wing's tug of war, as the movement's leaders are torn between traditional ideology and what Mike Farris called ''pragmatic politics.'' Farris, chairman of a conservative political action committee called the Madison Project, said Bush may not be perfect, but he can win the White House.
In a telephone interview, Steve Forbes said Bush appears embarrassed to be a Republican. ''You can't be embarrassed by basic principles and expect to govern by those principles,'' he said. ''Other politicians who have declared war on the conservative movement, like Nelson Rockefeller, found out the hard way that this was a serious mistake.''
