"They plan to ride into the White House on the Sweet Talk Express. Well, think again. Bush and Cheney are not compassionate conservatives. They are ruthless reactionaries"

The quote by Patricia Ireland is a political critique, most likely referring to the 2000 U.S. presidential campaign where George W. Bush and Cock Cheney were candidates for President and Vice President, respectively. It breaks down into 2 main assertions.

To start with, the expression "ride into the White House on the Sweet Talk Express" recommends that Bush and Cheney's project was viewed as relying greatly on rhetoric that is enticing and lovely to the electorate. "Sweet Talk Express" indicates the use of persuasive, possibly superficial language intended to win favor and votes without substantial policy support. This expression might be an allusion to or parody of John McCain's campaign bus nicknamed the "Straight Talk Express", known for its honest dialogue with citizens and the press.

Secondly, the quote paints Bush and Cheney not as "thoughtful conservatives", a label Bush often used to recommend a kinder, gentler type of conservatism focused on issues like education reform and faith-based social services, however rather as "ruthless reactionaries". This depicts them as holding severe conservative views that intend to go back political and social progress by aggressively implementing policies that roll back liberal reforms.

Patricia Ireland, a feminist and political activist, appears to argue that the compassionate veneer of Bush and Cheney's project was misleading. Her choice of words shows uncertainty towards their objectives and methods, suggesting that below their campaign's polished image lies a dedication to a hardline, potentially regressive political program that opposes progressive change.

Overall, the quote is a sharp critique of the facade that political campaigns can create, prompting voters to look beyond pleasant rhetoric and analyze a prospect's real ideological underpinnings and prospective impact on societal progress. Ireland's words encourage vital examination of prospects' platforms, challenging surface-level appearances to uncover the political realities they represent.