If The GOP Wants To Govern Like Democrats, Why Have a Separate Party?

Yesterday, I was firmly in the WASS camp. As usual, I listened to a great show by Rush and had an attitude adjustment. There is no time to waste on negativity. I loved this article by Patrick Casey, because he pointed out the immediate challenge for conservatives: we have no leaders among the politicians currently on the stage. We have leadership on talk radio and in the new media, but no politician willing or able to grab the flag and say, "Follow me!"
It's time for conservatives to start making some lemonade - in local, state and national politics. We need to coalesce aroung a clear set of principles and identify some leaders who will promote them. For openers, we need some candidates who believe that America is the greatest nation on Earth; the best hope for individual liberty and opportunity with justice for all of its citizens.

'McCain might very well become the next President, but it will be more because of the inadequacies of his opponent than any wellspring of support for his governing philosophy or ideology.'

Yes, and between calling for a cap-and-trade system, calling for global nuclear disarmament, launching a Spanish-language website, praising Dmitry Medvedev, welcoming the EU's ESDP and claiming that an EU-NATO partnership is possible, McCain has proven that he's not fit to command even a rifle squad, never mind the whole US military. If he wins this election, then you will have a Republican president this time, for 4 years, but those who come after him will be purely-bloodied Democrats, and all who will vote for McCain this year will be co-responsible.

This is why so many Dems support McCain: because they know that an extremist Dem will soon succeed him. They know that if a RINO wins this year, then 4 years from now the US electorate will punish the GOP by electing an extremist Democrat.

On the other hand, if Obama or Clinton was elected, he/she would embarass the Dem party worser than Dhimmi Carter did 28 years ago. Because AT is a conservative website (or at least aspires to be), I certainly don't need to state why. Obama and Clinton, if either of them is elected this year, will pave the way for a new Ronald Reagan (for whom you _should_ wait). A true conservative will be elected in 2012, after the Dem's disastrous 4-year-term ends. If a Dem wins this year, some Southern GOPers will run for the Pepto Bismol, but no other harm will be done. The Dem will serve a 4-year-term, and then will be rejected just like Dhimmi Carter was 28 years ago.

Personally, I'd rather see the US elect a Dem who would make the Dem party fail, than a RINO who would ensure future Republican failures.

Most Democrats are nothing more than abject liars and crooks. Most Republicans are nothing more than abject liars, crooks, and wimps. This is why I am a registered Independent.

Having said that, I'll be voting for McCain because at least he's not a wimp and understands these perilous times. I can suffer through the rest of his baloney.

This election is almost a no lose election for Dems. If they win, they get to enact a bunch of terrible ideas like amnesty that will set them up in power for decades to come. If McCain wins...he'll do most of it for them,so they won't even get the blame! It's almost like McCain is working for the Dems, which is why I will find it hard to vote for him.

This winning by losing leaves me cold. Rather than dream and speculate, Republicans who care should find some leaders (think Mike Pence, for example) and pitch in to rebuild the party from the ground up.

Part of the problem as I see it, is that the gulf between the base and elected Republicans has grown enormously. We are talking past each other. The base, looking for a return to sensible conservative principles, the elected, seeking to remain elected. We are no longer speaking the same language, so reconciliation and a return to our basic beliefs will not happen, absent a disaster, that just might occur this November.

The run for POTUS isn't the entire problem, a veto proof congress is a major problem should an Obama win this election. What the heck happened to our party? Do we have to wait for a savior out of Louisiana to regain our conservatism?

Your comments about leadership were spot on. There haven't been any leaders in the party for years, and I blame Bush and his example in part for this. No cause goes forward without someone to champion it so the results were to be expected. I continue to be amazed that we have such bozos in leadership positions in the party although the grassroots have been complaining since at least 2005 about the lack of response from above. Hello? Is anyone home?
You got it wrong on Ronald Reagan, even though you said it right later on and didn't realize it. Reagan had a set of beliefs that were internalized and stayed with him no matter what. He needed no plan because he could, and did articulate his beliefs regularly and clearly. That's why he was the Great Communicator. It was the beliefs, not the words. You knew before he spoke what he wanted and that gave him his great credibility.
Someone else who spoke from his beliefs could do what Reagan did. It's been done before. That is part of BO's present appeal.
It's too bad that party members don't have a voice in who controls the party. The current system sadly encourages and perpetuates nothing more than pure political power.
Incidentally, while I don't think he is a potential Reagan, Michael Steele seems to me to be a leader who is stuck and wasted where he is now. That should change.

I agree the Republican Party is dead and buried .Ah But the Conservative movement will be reborn just like it was after Jimmy Carter with our Hero Ronald Reagan .We need a cloned Reagan .
Actually just a smart common sense reason based man that knows lower taxes are good for our economy and families.Who has high Morals standards , Ethics , Principles , believes in marriage and against gay marriage . Is against Abortion but for the death Penalty . Honor's work not welfare and believes that Judge's actually carry out the constitution and don't make up their ""How does if feel laws or ruling " ? But most of all He understands there is a real war on terrorism and we fight this war or any wars to win ! He must believe in smaller Govt. and less Govt. ""regulations "" !!!!!!
The Republican party has really never been about Conservatism Except for Reagan's 8 Years under and 4 years under Newt G.contract with America ... That is until he started acting like a fool and a Democrat .
DEWY , IKE , ROCKFELLOW ,DOLE , NIXON , FORD and Both Bush's are not real Conservatives at all nor is Mc Cain even close . The next Time we hear the words Compassionate Conservative I am running for the hills !

I agree with most of what you're saying. Only the media is happy with the republicans now. I'll be voting 3rd party for president. Maybe if the president has 32 percent of the popular vote republicans will figure out they need to change. The only wasted vote is a vote not cast. I will not vote for the guy drilling the smallest holes in the life boat.

I also hope the republicans have noticed I stopped donating. I'll donate to a local candidate that is conservative. McCain was the presumptive candidate before the primary in my state was held. I find him unacceptable.

If our govt never gets the guts to face Islam, none of this will matter.

Casey wrote:"publicans are and should be panicked...a margin of 54%-46%.." A joke,okay? Panic should have occurred 7-8 years ago. How about that Shock and Awe which was a real blast, followed by confusion, indecision and more dimbulb actions by Bush and his brain, Rove. How does Bush know when to go to the bathroom now that the brain is gone? And please, don't mention Newt and his pushing NAFTA, "free" trade, and kissy kissy with Pelosi. Sorta like a thing that McShame would do. A blowout for the Demos in Nov.

What about the Constitution Party? Additionally, change in the Party is going to have to come at the local level, ie counties, as the national leaders are tainted. It should be every congressman for himself, and he should work on his district to strengthen the conservative base. The national party will be broken at least through 2010.

The Republican Party left me when it decided to buy votes just like the Democrats - the prescription drug benefit was supposed to buy the senior vote and amnesty was supposed to buy the Hispanic vote. I quit contributing over amnesty and no one seemed to notice. I still get daily appeals for money, even though I return them (in their post-paid envelopes) with scorching letters telling them exactly why I no longer contribute.

John McPain is just too much for me to bear. He'll do the same thing the Democrats will do (but strickly in the spirit of "getting things done") and will get the blame when it all blows up. I'd prefer the Democrats to get ALL the credit for the disaster to come, so as of today, I'll probably not vote in the presidental race.

Have you ever had to deal with drug addicts? In almost every case of addiction, the addict has to hit rock bottom before they start trying to straighten up. Some don't even after hitting bottom.

The Republican Party went to D.C. and became addicted to the power and the money. More than likely they'll have to hit rock bottom before they see what they've done to themselves.

However, that doesn't mean we have to hit bottom with them. Anything we do to try to save them is enabling.

In the very beginnings of this nation, there were political parties coming and going, rising quickly to power then dying out as their power waned. For 1 1/2 centuries, the Republicans and Democrats have been in power back and forth. Perhaps their times have come to be replaced with other names.

The Republican Party is not conservatism, although it once espoused and forwarded conservative principles. Conservatism by any other name is still conservatism. Conservatism isn't about a political party, it's a way of life. Because of this, conservatism will never die, although its light may dim from time to time.

If the Republican Party doesn't wish to advance conservative ideals, another party will come along and take up the banner.

The choice is theirs to make. Either they return to the principles that made them strong or the people will move away from the party and it will continue to weaken.

Thanks for adopting a comment section on your daily postings. I really enjoy The AT and it is my first read every day.

Conservativism is dead. A brave new world of PCizm is the future. We have whimped out instead of vigorously & with principle fought the multitude of fights the left has presented us. The brilliant feminist, Camille Paglia said it best,"the problem is not too much feminism,it is too little masculinity"--& integrity.My former congressman was the convicted felon,republican Bob Ney of Ohio. My Current senator is senator Craig of Idaho...Senator Foot Tapper who co-sponsored the current add on to the Iraq funding bill that seeks a new amnesty for illegals. The light at the end of the tunnel dims,the Dark Age deepens.

Patrick-thank you - you've about said it all.

By sitting on the couch with Nancy P.-Newt has given some of pause for thought.

Patrick-thank you - you've about said it all.

By sitting on the couch with Nancy P.-Newt has given some of pause for thought.

You published my remarks under Bernard Piper's name. ???
Were his placed under mine?

Sam - why did you say Ike wasn't a conservative? He refused to meddle with the US economy, created an unmatched military, created a military freeway network, signed a military agreement with the UK, appointed JF Dulles as State Secretary, remilitarised West Germany, established new military alliances and spied on the Soviets.

BTW, can anyone name even one exact legislative accomplishment of John McCain?

Bush is a fine man with many of the right instincts but he is not articulate and that has allowed the MSM to define him as a bumbler.

McCain is also inarticulate and will not have a broad appeal to the electorate. Fortunately, the MSM doesn't harbor the same "hate" for him that they have for Bush so he won't be subjected to quite the same rancor.

The key to the presidential election appears to be whether the electorate is savvy enough to choose the "least harm" alternative. I personally am not sanguine about the wisdom of the electorate in general (look the many dysfunctional, misfit, unsuccessful professional politicians in congress). However, sometimes the alternatives are so starkly evident that the voters can make the distinction.

Where conservatism really counts is in Congress. I do not trust the RNCC to recruit, support and elect conservatives. It is up to us to do so. I have not donated to the RNC, the RNCC or the NRSC for some time. I spread my donations among recognized conservatives - first locally, then in other venues. So far this hasn't worked all that well has it?

If there is a better way to try to support conservative candidates, will someone suggest it?

You have left out the 800 pound gorilla, the biggest thing that wrecked the GOP brand: The incompetence of President Bush.

The GOP's strongest suit was always national defense. Bush wrecked that by getting America embroiled in a counterinsurgency war in Iraq, for dubious purposes and without a clear victory in sight.

Bush totally underestimated the enemy and the magnitude of the job, and sent an undermanned force into Iraq that took far too long to stabilize the country.

Reagan's motto was "Peace Through Strength." Bush gave us "War and Weakness."

The GOP was always cool to the idea of nation-building; in fact, in the 2000 campaign, Bush criticized that notion. Now the GOP committed itself to spending trillions of dollars and endless years to that goal.

Whether you believe the GOP should be more moderate or more conservative on this or that issue, what it absolutely needs is to have a platform and an agenda that isn't set by the Bush Administration.

So far, McCain and Ron Paul were the only two Republicans willing to break with Bush publicly. And that's why Bush's unpopularity hasn't rubbed off on them.

Thanks for this. It makes a lot of sense. And, thanks, AT, for a comment section!

I have been active on a blog related to the campaign of Republican candidates for more than a year, having more than thousand visitors a day. Which way the Republican Party should go was one of the hottest "discussion." We especially saw a lot of this kind of discussions when Rudy was in the race. It is sad that McCain is not alone in believing he needs to reach out. I would say it is barely over a majority that thought the same thing. At least, most of the so-called conservatives there claimed we do not need another set of conservativism. For example, many fis-cons and def-cons claimed we don't need soc-cons, and so on. Many of them also claimed that Bush was so-so conservative in certain area, but not in the area that concern them. For example, a fis-con would say Bush is a soc-con, but not a fis-con. The soc-con would say he is fis-con rather than soc-con. There were a lot of discussions like this. It is sad to see Bush and other Republican leaders have destroyed the image of what it means to be a conservative in all areas, like Reagen once was.

While McCain not seem ideal to the conservative base, the alternative would be a disaster for this country. If you are truly a patriot, you must vote McCain. I have up to now been a lifelong Democrat and will vote Republican to save our country. This election will determine Americas course through the rest of the 21st century. If you care about yours and your children's future, you will vote McCain. In Nov, the Dems will have majority congress and if they win the presidency, this country will go downhill so fast you won't recognize it. As far as I'm concerned, Obamacans are traitors to this country and party.

Having been a lifelong Conservative myself, it will be very hard for me to vote for McCain this fall but I will.I cannot remember an election that has me so depressed on one side and actually frightened on the other. The only reasons that I will mbe backing McCain is the War and terrorism and his promise to nominate Conservative Judges. However the last reason may be pollyannish because with the Senate being in strong Democratic hands he may feel a need to go "moderate" just to fill the bench. Just a look at how some of the "moderate" judges appointed by past Republican Presidents turned out gives one shuddwrs.

We have a choice - vote Dem or vote for four more years of McSame, McInsane, McGovernment

http://www.changeyoudeserve.wordpress.com

If we don't, we're McNuts

As a lifelone conservative (I cast my 1st vote for Ike) Republican, I voted for Bush twice. However, I will never forgive him (et al) for the destruction of the Grand Ole' Party. What emerges after the '08 election terrifies me. Of course, I'll vote for McCain, with a knot in my stomach.

I heartily agree w/Mr. Casey's article. In my own radio show, I promote and announce those Republicans who ARE loyal to conservative principles and deserve our support.

In our liefetimes, the GOP has followed two disparate approaches. One doomed them to forty years of nearly permanent minority. The other propelled them to five Presidential elections wins and majorities in both houses of Congress.

Amazingly, Republicans have decided the former approach is the one they prefer. Apparently they are so discomfited by having to tolerate sharing their party with people of religious conviction and principle that they would rather relive their years of permanent minority than be identified with them as part of a majority.

To paraphrase Harry Truman, "If you give voters a choice between a Democrat and a Democrat, they will choose the Democrat every time."