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Offline Formerly Once-Ler

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Republican Party isn't the enemy
« on: March 08, 2014, 08:22:22 am »
Tom Edmonds 1:52 p.m. EST March 7, 2014
http://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2014/03/07/conservatives-tea-party-republicans-column/6124291/

The divide between conservatives could be tragically self-destructive.

"When conservatives are unhappy, bad things happen to the Republican Party."

So wrote Richard Viguerie, the "Funding Father" of the modern conservative movement, in his 2006 book Conservatives Betrayed. Viguerie characterized the conservative movement as an independent "Third Force" in American politics, one that will bring the Republican Party to its knees "begging for support." Then, George W. Bush was the enemy. Now, it's "impure" incumbent Republican senators.

The modern conservative movement and the Republican Party have never been synonymous. But the animosity between the two has never been more self-destructive than it is today.

Many conservatives see the Republican Party as little more than "the evil of two lessers." Couple that with their belief that pragmatism is a dirty word, and it's little wonder that liberal and progressive leaders give thanks at the altar of the Tea Party while simultaneously crediting the movement for every problem facing our society. The irony seems lost on conservative leaders who should know better.

Barry Goldwater and Ronald Reagan are the Founding Fathers of today's conservative movement. But many have wondered aloud whether these two icons could even be elected in today's hostile environment. One only has to consider Ronald Reagan's 11th commandment "Thou shalt not speak ill of any fellow Republican" to realize that the former president's admonishments go unheeded by today's conservatives.

Barry Goldwater was not so eloquent. In his typical blunt style, Goldwater, dismissing the litmus test that is today's mandatory coupling of fiscal and social issues, observed during his twilight years, "Today's so-called 'conservatives' don't even know what the word means." He went on to say, "They think I've turned liberal because I believe a woman has a right to an abortion . . . . It's not a conservative issue at all."

For over 30 years as a political consultant, I've helped elect Republicans to offices at all levels and enthusiastically advanced the cause of many national groups espousing conservative issues. Smaller government, lower taxes, fewer regulations, and greater individual freedom -- all these tenets sound like the battle cry for the Tea Party when in fact they've stood as the modern Republican Party creed for decades. What has changed over the past several years is the assertion that if you aren't 100% pure on the entire conservative agenda, you must be removed from office. Never mind that if you defeat an "impure" conservative or, heaven forbid, a moderate Republican, what you get in return is a liberal or progressive Democrat. President Reagan knew this when observed that "The person who agrees with you 80% of the time is a friend and ally, not a 20% traitor." Standing on principle as you shoot yourself in the foot should provide a learning moment all political operatives, regardless of their political beliefs.

Two decades ago, in the historic 1994 election known as the Republican Revolution, Congressman Newt Gingrich helped his party win eight Senate seats, 10 governorships, and an astounding 54 seats in the House -- ending the Party's 40-year tenure as the institutionalized minority. How was this possible? He formed a coalition of Republicans -- conservatives and moderates alike -- from both inside and outside the party structure that worked together.

Today, Harry Reid is the majority leader in the U.S. Senate for one simple reason: The Tea Party. They snatched defeat from the jaws of victory in the 2012 elections by putting forth unvetted primary candidates who defeated incumbent Republicans who undoubtedly would have triumphed in the general election. As Republicans, the words of William F. Buckley should be ringing in our ears: We should nominate "the rightward most viable candidate."

This year, everyone acknowledges that Republicans once again have a golden opportunity to regain control of the U.S. Senate. Of the 36 senate seats up for re-election only 15 are currently held by Republicans. But a substantial portion of those Republicans are facing a primary challenge by a Tea Party candidate. The death wish continues.

If 2014 becomes 2012 all over again, it will be a long time before the Republican Party has another chance to control both houses of Congress.

To paraphrase Winston Churchill, 'Americans do the wrong thing until the pain finally causes them to do the right thing.'

How much more pain must Americans endure at the hands of progressives and liberals before today's American conservatives learn that the Republican Party, though not pure, is anything but the enemy?

Tom Edmonds is a Republican media consultant and past president of both the American Association of Political Consultants and the International Association of Political Consultants.

Offline PzLdr

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Re: Republican Party isn't the enemy
« Reply #1 on: March 08, 2014, 11:10:24 am »
"Republican Party isn't the enemy"...

Not if you're a Democrat.  :whistle:
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Offline happyg

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Re: Republican Party isn't the enemy
« Reply #2 on: March 08, 2014, 04:38:21 pm »
Conservatives aren't the enemy, either.

Oceander

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Re: Republican Party isn't the enemy
« Reply #3 on: March 08, 2014, 06:23:15 pm »
this stupid partisan bickering, replete with litmus tests and, quite frankly, positions on certain issues (mainly social) that are the antithesis of the ideals of small government and individual liberty, is going to be the death knell for this country and the sole reason why the democrats will continue to control the Senate after this November and might even pick up enough seats in the House to gain effective control (e.g., enough seats so they only need one or two moderate republicans to defect in order to have more than 50%).

Moderates shit on conservatives and then claim that they're being demonized by the conservatives.  Conservatives shit on moderates and then claim that they're being demonized by the moderates.

You know what comes of that?  The entire GOP ends up smelling like shit. 
« Last Edit: March 09, 2014, 12:35:43 am by Oceander »

Offline katzenjammer

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Re: Republican Party isn't the enemy
« Reply #4 on: March 08, 2014, 06:31:33 pm »
Quote
What has changed over the past several years is the assertion that if you aren't 100% pure on the entire conservative agenda, you must be removed from office.

No, what has changed over the past several years is that many in the Republican party, especially at the FedGov level, have become virtually undistinguishable from the Democrat politicians in the results that they bring to bear. 

Quote
Smaller government, lower taxes, fewer regulations, and greater individual freedom -- all these tenets sound like the battle cry for the Tea Party when in fact they've stood as the modern Republican Party creed for decades.

Think of it this way, if the Republican party demonstrated fidelity to these tenets over the past several years (decades at this point), there would have been no cause for a "Tea Party" to rise up.

Offline katzenjammer

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Re: Republican Party isn't the enemy
« Reply #5 on: March 08, 2014, 06:34:22 pm »
this stupid partisan bickering, replete with litmus tests and, quite frankly, positions on certain issues (mainly social) that are the antithesis of the ideals of small government and individual liberty, is going to be the death knell for this country and the sole reason why the democrats will continue to control the Senate after this November and might even pick up enough seats in the House to gain effective control (e.g., enough seats so they only need one or two moderate republicans to defect in order to have more than 50%).

Moderates shit on conservatives and then claim that they're being demonized by the conservatives.  Conservatives shit on moderates and then claim that they're being demonized by the moderates.

You what comes of that?  The entire GOP ends up smelling like shit.

The problem is that these "social issues" should have never crept into the body politic.  They cause strife and division over issues that should never have become part of government purview.  People attempting to legislate morality have caused many more problems than they ever realized.

Offline Luis Gonzalez

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Re: Republican Party isn't the enemy
« Reply #6 on: March 08, 2014, 07:01:20 pm »
The problem is that these "social issues" should have never crept into the body politic.  They cause strife and division over issues that should never have become part of government purview.  People attempting to legislate morality have caused many more problems than they ever realized.

Secular statists vs religious statists.

Then secular statists are winning.
"Those are my principles, and if you don't like them... well, i have others." - Groucho Marx

Oceander

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Re: Republican Party isn't the enemy
« Reply #7 on: March 08, 2014, 07:21:52 pm »
The problem is that these "social issues" should have never crept into the body politic.  They cause strife and division over issues that should never have become part of government purview.  People attempting to legislate morality have caused many more problems than they ever realized.

that they have

Offline Olivia

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Re: Republican Party isn't the enemy
« Reply #8 on: March 08, 2014, 08:30:46 pm »
The problem with the republicans is just like the one with the democrats.

They get elected on promises that always fail to materialize, then stay in power for 30-40 years, reaping the benefits of power over the people and all the wealth they can accumulate.

They work for each other instead of working for the people they were elected to SERVE!

It's disgust with the "establishment republicans," the ones that have been there too many years.  They don't serve in the people's best interest but what will benefit them the most personally.

I think it would be different if we could get rid of John McCain, Mitch McConnell, Boehner, Graham and all the others that have been in Washington far too long, but these same old fossils keep getting elected time after time.  I just don't get it.

We need new leaders with new ideas, not these wealthy old men that have lost touch with regular Americans a couple of decades ago.
Now, they're all upset because there's a group of new kids on the block with new ideas and the energy to get the job done.

We desperately need term limits! 
« Last Edit: March 08, 2014, 08:31:47 pm by Olivia »
Truthfully, the most important thing in life is knowing what the most important things in life are, and prioritizing them accordingly.   Melchor Lim

Offline olde north church

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Re: Republican Party isn't the enemy
« Reply #9 on: March 08, 2014, 11:05:56 pm »
this stupid partisan bickering, replete with litmus tests and, quite frankly, positions on certain issues (mainly social) that are the antithesis of the ideals of small government and individual liberty, is going to be the death knell for this country and the sole reason why the democrats will continue to control the Senate after this November and might even pick up enough seats in the House to gain effective control (e.g., enough seats so they only need one or two moderate republicans to defect in order to have more than 50%).

Moderates shit on conservatives and then claim that they're being demonized by the conservatives.  Conservatives shit on moderates and then claim that they're being demonized by the moderates.

You what comes of that?  The entire GOP ends up smelling like shit.

This "Civil War" has put many a shekel into a clever pocket.
Why?  Well, because I'm a bastard, that's why.

Oceander

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Re: Republican Party isn't the enemy
« Reply #10 on: March 09, 2014, 12:37:51 am »
The problem with the republicans is just like the one with the democrats.

They get elected on promises that always fail to materialize, then stay in power for 30-40 years, reaping the benefits of power over the people and all the wealth they can accumulate.

They work for each other instead of working for the people they were elected to SERVE!

It's disgust with the "establishment republicans," the ones that have been there too many years.  They don't serve in the people's best interest but what will benefit them the most personally.

I think it would be different if we could get rid of John McCain, Mitch McConnell, Boehner, Graham and all the others that have been in Washington far too long, but these same old fossils keep getting elected time after time.  I just don't get it.

We need new leaders with new ideas, not these wealthy old men that have lost touch with regular Americans a couple of decades ago.
Now, they're all upset because there's a group of new kids on the block with new ideas and the energy to get the job done.

We desperately need term limits! 

right now is not the best time to have that existential knock-down drag-out fight within the GOP; doing so only leaves the democrats in power, and that is the worst possible thing that could happen.

Offline Gazoo

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Re: Republican Party isn't the enemy
« Reply #11 on: March 09, 2014, 12:48:03 am »
right now is not the best time to have that existential knock-down drag-out fight within the GOP; doing so only leaves the democrats in power, and that is the worst possible thing that could happen.

It is called primaries. There is always infighting with primaries. They have started a bit early. If you paid attention to CPAC they are united within. Fools may drag rifles up on the stage but in the end all will unite to get the marxist, fascists ideals that want to destroy America- out. Do you really think people are not going to voice their dire concerns as we watch two Chicago mob ruled radicals try to be king and queen of this country?
"The Tea Party has a right to feel cheated.

When does the Republican Party, put in the majority by the Tea Party, plan to honor its commitment to halt the growth of the Federal monolith and bring the budget back into balance"?

Offline sinkspur

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Re: Republican Party isn't the enemy
« Reply #12 on: March 09, 2014, 01:34:19 am »
The problem with the republicans is just like the one with the democrats.

They get elected on promises that always fail to materialize, then stay in power for 30-40 years, reaping the benefits of power over the people and all the wealth they can accumulate.

They work for each other instead of working for the people they were elected to SERVE!

It's disgust with the "establishment republicans," the ones that have been there too many years.  They don't serve in the people's best interest but what will benefit them the most personally.

I think it would be different if we could get rid of John McCain, Mitch McConnell, Boehner, Graham and all the others that have been in Washington far too long, but these same old fossils keep getting elected time after time.  I just don't get it.

We need new leaders with new ideas, not these wealthy old men that have lost touch with regular Americans a couple of decades ago.
Now, they're all upset because there's a group of new kids on the block with new ideas and the energy to get the job done.

We desperately need term limits!

We have term limits.  They're called "elections."

Those who scream for term limits are admitting that they can't sell their ideas, so they need a "big government" solution to drive their nemeses out of office.
Roy Moore's "spiritual warfare" is driving past a junior high without stopping.

Offline Rapunzel

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Re: Republican Party isn't the enemy
« Reply #13 on: March 09, 2014, 01:40:00 am »
We have term limits.  They're called "elections."

Those who scream for term limits are admitting that they can't sell their ideas, so they need a "big government" solution to drive their nemeses out of office.

Yet, we're not supposed to run anyone against the old guys who are too narcissistic to retire.
�The time is now near at hand which must probably determine, whether Americans are to be, Freemen, or Slaves.� G Washington July 2, 1776

Offline sinkspur

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Re: Republican Party isn't the enemy
« Reply #14 on: March 09, 2014, 01:46:34 am »
Yet, we're not supposed to run anyone against the old guys who are too narcissistic to retire.

You make my point for me.  You can't vote them out of office, so you want some government solution to make them quit.

Run whomever you want. How'd that turn out for the seven dwarves who ran against Cornyn last Tuesday?
Roy Moore's "spiritual warfare" is driving past a junior high without stopping.

Offline Rapunzel

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Re: Republican Party isn't the enemy
« Reply #15 on: March 09, 2014, 01:50:53 am »
You make my point for me.  You can't vote them out of office, so you want some government solution to make them quit.

Run whomever you want. How'd that turn out for the seven dwarves who ran against Cornyn last Tuesday?

You stated we have term limits they are called primaries and yet you squeal like a greased pig anytime someone takes on an old-timer in the GOP...  you know as well as the rest of us here a lot of very good people never run against these old guard because the party machine will destroy them, it leaves only weak candidates trying to make a name throwing their names into the pool 90% of the time.. these old guys should look in the mirror and quit and let some of the good state senators run for the senate.  If we still had the 17th this would not be an issue, they would be sent to pasture like Utah did to Bennett.
�The time is now near at hand which must probably determine, whether Americans are to be, Freemen, or Slaves.� G Washington July 2, 1776

Offline aligncare

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Re: Republican Party isn't the enemy
« Reply #16 on: March 09, 2014, 01:58:39 am »
No, what has changed over the past several years is that many in the Republican party, especially at the FedGov level, have become virtually undistinguishable from the Democrat politicians in the results that they bring to bear. 

Think of it this way, if the Republican party demonstrated fidelity to these tenets over the past several years (decades at this point), there would have been no cause for a "Tea Party" to rise up.

Bingo! Political movements don't just appear in a vacuum. It takes a lot of work. Time and effort that busy people would rather not have to engage if Republicans were truly providing conservative representation. But the Boehners and McConnells in Congress simply have not been doing the job.

Offline Gazoo

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Re: Republican Party isn't the enemy
« Reply #17 on: March 09, 2014, 02:09:34 am »
You make my point for me.  You can't vote them out of office, so you want some government solution to make them quit.

Run whomever you want. How'd that turn out for the seven dwarves who ran against Cornyn last Tuesday?

No, you make your points for yourself, are full of criticism, have no real backbone for anyone or anything so your criticism is futile in your trolling for nothing but riling people up.
"The Tea Party has a right to feel cheated.

When does the Republican Party, put in the majority by the Tea Party, plan to honor its commitment to halt the growth of the Federal monolith and bring the budget back into balance"?

Offline sinkspur

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Re: Republican Party isn't the enemy
« Reply #18 on: March 09, 2014, 02:10:42 am »
You stated we have term limits they are called primaries and yet you squeal like a greased pig anytime someone takes on an old-timer in the GOP...  you know as well as the rest of us here a lot of very good people never run against these old guard because the party machine will destroy them, it leaves only weak candidates trying to make a name throwing their names into the pool 90% of the time.. these old guys should look in the mirror and quit and let some of the good state senators run for the senate.  If we still had the 17th this would not be an issue, they would be sent to pasture like Utah did to Bennett.

And if they look in the mirror and decide they still have something to contribute, and the voters AGREE WITH THEM, who are you to tell them they should quit? 

I believe it was Willie Nelson who said "Age and experience beats youth and enthusiasm every time."
Roy Moore's "spiritual warfare" is driving past a junior high without stopping.

Offline sinkspur

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Re: Republican Party isn't the enemy
« Reply #19 on: March 09, 2014, 02:12:08 am »
No, you make your points for yourself, are full of criticism, have no real backbone for anyone or anything so your criticism is futile in your trolling for nothing but riling people up.

Do you have anything to contribute to the discussion beyond ad hominems? 

I just tried to diagram your sentence and it made my head hurt.
Roy Moore's "spiritual warfare" is driving past a junior high without stopping.

Offline Rapunzel

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Re: Republican Party isn't the enemy
« Reply #20 on: March 09, 2014, 02:14:04 am »
And if they look in the mirror and decide they still have something to contribute, and the voters AGREE WITH THEM, who are you to tell them they should quit? 

I believe it was Willie Nelson who said "Age and experience beats youth and enthusiasm every time."

The voters would not be so anxious TO vote for them if they didn't freeze out the good people who wait and wait and wait for a turn and never get it because these old guys are too busy filling their pockets from K-Street to step down.    IF they got good adversaries in the party and the adversaries had the money to run a decent campaign against them they would be gone - most of them....   These men in both parties are the reason we are stagnating as a nation and the GOP as a party.
�The time is now near at hand which must probably determine, whether Americans are to be, Freemen, or Slaves.� G Washington July 2, 1776

Offline sinkspur

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Re: Republican Party isn't the enemy
« Reply #21 on: March 09, 2014, 02:34:35 am »
The voters would not be so anxious TO vote for them if they didn't freeze out the good people who wait and wait and wait for a turn and never get it because these old guys are too busy filling their pockets from K-Street to step down.    IF they got good adversaries in the party and the adversaries had the money to run a decent campaign against them they would be gone - most of them....   These men in both parties are the reason we are stagnating as a nation and the GOP as a party.

Hey, I noticed CPAC invited McConnell and Cornyn to speak.  If they're such mossbacks, how come they earned speaking slots at such a hip outfit? 

If you want more women in office, how come Sarah Palin's stuffing Hollywood money in her pockets instead of running for some office--any office? 

Just where are all these "quality" candidates? 
Roy Moore's "spiritual warfare" is driving past a junior high without stopping.

Offline Rapunzel

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Re: Republican Party isn't the enemy
« Reply #22 on: March 09, 2014, 02:37:09 am »
Hey, I noticed CPAC invited McConnell and Cornyn to speak.  If they're such mossbacks, how come they earned speaking slots at such a hip outfit? 

If you want more women in office, how come Sarah Palin's stuffing Hollywood money in her pockets instead of running for some office--any office? 

Just where are all these "quality" candidates?

It sure bothers you when conservatives make money and you are strangely silent about the K-Street money funneled to your guys.

As to why CPAC invited Cornyn and McConnell to speak - from everything I've heard they were not well received and a lot of people wonder why they were invited... why a lot of the speakers were invited.
�The time is now near at hand which must probably determine, whether Americans are to be, Freemen, or Slaves.� G Washington July 2, 1776

Offline katzenjammer

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Re: Republican Party isn't the enemy
« Reply #23 on: March 09, 2014, 02:43:33 am »
It was certainly a disappointment that they invited Christie.

Offline sinkspur

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Re: Republican Party isn't the enemy
« Reply #24 on: March 09, 2014, 02:44:43 am »
It sure bothers you when conservatives make money and you are strangely silent about the K-Street money funneled to your guys.

As to why CPAC invited Cornyn and McConnell to speak - from everything I've heard they were not well received and a lot of people wonder why they were invited... why a lot of the speakers were invited.

It doesn't bother me when conservatives make money.  YOU were the one who got all bent over "old guys filling their pockets." 

Why does K-Street money suck and Hollywood money is mother's milk? 
Roy Moore's "spiritual warfare" is driving past a junior high without stopping.