"I think Bush has capitulated on affirmative action and government spending. Apart from that, he's OK, I guess. About the same as Howard Dean"

In this quote, Peter Brimelow is providing a critical examination of George W. Bush's presidency, particularly concentrating on 2 crucial areas: affirmative action and government spending. Brimelow uses the word "capitulated" to recommend that Bush has surrendered or compromised on these issues, suggesting a departure from conservative principles. This term carries a negative undertone, indicating that Brimelow Bush's handling of these matters.

Affirmative action refers to policies that intend to increase opportunities for traditionally marginalized groups, frequently through steps that promote variety in education and work. Typically, conservatives have actually been crucial of affirmative action, arguing that it can result in reverse discrimination. Brimelow's use of "capitulated" suggests that he believes Bush has either supported or stopped working to adequately oppose affirmative action policies, thus frustrating those who wanted a more rigid stance versus such procedures.

Relating to federal government costs, conservatives normally promote for minimal federal government intervention and fiscal duty. By saying Bush has actually capitulated here, Brimelow likely methods that Bush has enabled government spending to increase beyond what Brimelow and similar-minded individuals would think about appropriate for a conservative leader.

The latter part of the quote, "Apart from that, he's okay, I guess. About the same as Howard Dean", offers a little a backhanded compliment. Howard Dean, a prominent Democratic figure around the same time, represents a different political ideology. By relating Bush to Dean-- particularly provided Dean's more progressive position-- Brimelow is recommending that Bush, aside from his failures on affirmative action and costs, does not vary substantially from a Democrat. This contrast might be viewed as decreasing Bush's standing as a conservative leader in Brimelow's view.

In general, this quote conveys Brimelow's disappointment in Bush's variances from conservative policies, suggesting that, in some respects, Bush's presidency lacked the distinct conservative identity expected by his right-wing critics.