Apr 28 2009
Conservatives Bailing The Ocean Into Their Sinking Ship
 
Boy, am I glad I left the conservative fevered swamps when I did. Talk about self destructing! As I posted on earlier, in response to the political center dumping conservatives into oblivion Jim DeMint made the comment he would rather be a top fish in a tiny pond than actually lead this great nation into the future:
DeMint says he would rather have 30 Republicans in the Senate who really believe in principles of limited government, free markets, free people, than. . .that don’t have a set of beliefs.â€
Ahh, the lovely sound of tolerance and respect for fellow Americans. I don’t think DeMint and his paltry band of ‘true conservatives’ get it yet. No one would be upset if he was part of an impotent and irrelevant ban of 30 has beens in the Senate either!
And 30 seems to be a good number to shoot for. Right now it is 60-40 (assuming Franken pulls off his mystical vote counting tricks), but if the far right keep up on their witch hunt of centrist, then 7o is only 10 seats away. Rush Limbaugh has proposed another candidate to be shown the door of the failed right wing club house:
Conservative host Rush Limbaugh said Tuesday he isn’t sorry to see Arlen Specter leave the GOP — and that many Republicans wish the Pennsylvania senator would take a few others with him when he goes.
“A lot of people say, ‘Well, Specter, take [Sen. John] McCain with you. And his daughter [Meghan]. Take McCain and his daughter with you if you’re gonna…” he told listeners, dissolving in laughter.
“…..It’s ultimately good. You’re weeding out people who aren’t really Republicans,” he said.
No, they weeding out the survivors so the only ones left will be the politically doomed. Limabaugh and his ilk seem more and more like those doomed survivors on the Poseidon Adventure who head the wrong way to rescue, certain of their superior intelligence and purpose. They certainly on a rapidly sinking ship.
Anyway, then there are the two ladies from Maine, who are only slightly less despised by the conservative purists than Specter was. And the comments they are making spell more disaster for the right:
Both Republican senators from Maine said Tuesday that the GOP must change its ways following Sen. Arlen Specter’s (Pa.) decision to switch parties.
…
Collins called Specter’s decision “unfortunate for our party and our country,†and acknowledged that Democratic leaders have long been trying to persuade her to change parties.
“When you’re a moderate Republican, every year there’s someone from the other side who makes an overture,†she said. “But that’s not something I would ever consider doing.
“But I do think our party needs to make clear that centrists are welcome. Sometimes that message is not sent as clearly as it should be.â€
Well they are not wanted, as the lunatic fringe has made perfectly clear. And let’s be clear here, Specter was forced out by the Toomey challenge. If the GOP tent hadn’t shrunk to the size of a pup tent, the GOP primary would not be a threat to Specter’s desires to lead this nation and be an influential force in where it goes. He is thinking state and country first, Party is a distant 3rd were it belongs. If the far right go after Collins, she will have no choice – either she leaves the GOP or she watches a Democrat take out whoever the far right elect in the primary.
Snowe also has had some pointed words for the dying conservative movement:
“I’ve always been deeply concerned about the views of the Republican Party nationally in terms of their exclusionary policies and views towards moderate Republicans,” said Snowe, who has been approached, she said, by Democrats in the past about switching parties.
Specter’s switch to the Democratic Party “underscores the blunt reality” that the GOP is not a welcome place for moderates, she said.
Snowe goes onto point out that conservatives think they are the only ones with a hold on certain issues, but what they are doing in their purity putsche is simply losing control of these issues to more sane heads. Here is Snowe’s list of ‘principles’ or ‘beliefs’ people like DeMint don’t think exist outside their echo chambers:
“I believe in the traditional tenets of the Republican Party: strong national defense, fiscal responsibility, individual opportunity. I haven’t abandoned those principles that have been the essence of the Republican Party. I think the Republican Party has abandoned those principles.
Agreed. The far right are not the only ones who respect and back our military (take it from a proud father of a US Marine, son of a WW II Navy veteran). Lots of people want limited government, lower taxes, free markets. Many people believe DC is bloated and out of control and useless. Many people believe in the sanctity of life. Half or more are not in the GOP, are not impressed with the far right, are not supporting the GOP. They are centrists who decide which party wins elections.
What the conservative movement needs is to stop being a ridiculous spectacle of ineptitude – case in point:
Bachmann, speaking on Pajamas TV, noted: “I find it interesting that it was back in the 1970s that the swine flu broke out then under another Democrat president Jimmy Carter. And I’m not blaming this on President Obama, I just think it’s an interesting coincidence.”
The 1976 swine flu scare happened on Gerald Ford’s watch.
We checked Wikipedia.
Ford was a Republican.
What a joke. How about those crazy Birthers and their claims Obama is not American? How about those crazy claims that DHS is abandoning its mission to stop threats against this nation and are instead monitoring Michelle Malkin and her fellow travellers. How about those crazy Ayrabs trying to by an interest in a company that does port operations (not security)?
Anyway, if they can push out Snowe, Collins, McCain that gets them down to 37. Many think Lindsay Graham is RINO, as well as Kay Baily Hutchison. That gets you to 35! DeMint seems to have a feasible plan in mind.
How many more dumb stunts are we going to have to suffer through?
I agree with Terrye that Specter was a special case. The only other one close to him is Collins. I never mention Snowe. I can’t stand McCain (because of what I heard him say) but I cheerfully voted for him. I am one of the big tent people. That does not mean I have to like or respect them. Few of those politicians measure up after so many years. They have almost converted me to term limits. My bottom line is how much harm each of them has done to the country over time. One of the bravest of the lot is Sen Inhofe when he stood for our country and the soldiers against labeling us as torturers. I now hear them say it daily, as if it is FACT. Nope.
In my world, if you label the things laid out in that memo as torture, you are nuts. I question your principles. I question your moral compass. Somebody better get a handle on the ones that run this show. MSM. Why is not someone questioning their morals on this issue? They sure dish it out. Where are the Pugs?
Did I hear today that Rasmussen has a poll out today that shows Republicans are now leading ahead of democrats as for whom one would vote?
I like Mike M’s comment….I have to say that I have always been more of a libertarian/fiscal conservative and less of a social conservative.
So, as far as I am concerned, I will NEVER FORGIVE SPECTER for voting for obama’s “stimulus” bill. Ever. He could have stopped it. He didn’t. No mercy on this one. Ever.
Sorry, Cross, I didn’t see your post about Repubs leading.
AJ
You have been my #1 blogger ever since Ed Morrisey closed down his site. For years now, I check in with you daily sometimes a couple of times a day !! I hardly ever make a comment but I am still out here and one of your biggest supporters !! I mostly always agree with your positions and I really enjoy and appreciate all your blogging efforts ……….
But, you ARE WRONG on the Republican Party !!
You are playing right into the MSM and the liberal loonies that think our party is in decline. They are talking it up big time to make it come true – depressing Republicans is just what they want to do !!
WE ARE ALL STILL OUT HERE, AJ !! The last election just left us stunned !! I think for the most part we are waiting for the dumbed-down Americans to wake up and reject the Obama agenda and the Pelosi liberals !!
I think we all need to be patient …the revolution is going to come !! We can not spend ourselves into propersity or recovery nor can we give everyone everything from a redistribution of the wealth. It will not work !! It defies the laws of gravity !!
Let Specter leave, who cares …..he is an ego driven politician !! He has no principals and at the age of 80, he should be retiring !! He is really doing the Republican Party a favor because he gives Obama & the liberals full charge and full blame for the economy and the WOT !!
When the honeymoon is over ….their agenda will be rejected !!
Mark my words !!
And, AJ don’t play into the MSN, liberal loonies and the liberal polls that are trying to split us apart. How did we get McCain as our candidate ?? We had so many candidates – we split ourselves up and we got stuck with the Media candidate !!
If we don’t stand up for our principals and are not patient, we will destroy ourselves from within and play right into the George Soros Plan for America !!
Be patient everybody !!
I must say that I am quite impressed with the comments by Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman.
I agree with that completely. Republicans have not been willing to be a part of the solution so far. They are just criticizing the Democrats and doing nothing else. There seems to be this “all or nothing, my way or the highway” attitude with Republicans recently that needs to change. It is the same attitude that Reagan complained about with California “conservatives” (who really didn’t like Reagan very much). Republicans need to learn that 50% of something is better than 100% of nothing.
From Michael Barone
“A party in decline should adapt its basic philosophy to new policies and positions in order to win over voters, rather than stand on principle and expel heretics.”
Read here
Well put W-GIRL08.
Ronald Reagan on “radical conservatives” in his autobiography:
AJ,
I agree with you to an extent. But the Republican Party has to stand for small government, which includes low taxes and regulation, and more individual freedom. If it doesn’t stand for that, what good is it? You talk about compromising and letting differing opinions under the Republican tent, but we surely can not compromise on the role of government. I certainly don’t fit the mold of the “typical†Republican voter, but I wouldn’t any interest in the part if it jettisoned this core position. It’s not like Specter was this small government fanatic, but liberal on so-called social issues. Now, he’s gone. He was never really on my side anyway.
I, for one, am very troubled at the prospect of the Democrats having 60 seats in the Senate. However, now that it’s done, I feel a sense of relief. A sense of freedom. The American people voted for increased socialism in the U.S. (whether they realize it or not) and I’m pretty sure we’re going to get it. The arc of U.S. history in the 20th century is one of increased socialism. We had a partial rollback under Reagan, but the march continues. They’ll be another conservative revival, but it will partial, too.
I’ve been following politics closely for around 25 years and I’m tired of worrying about how Republicans can cobble together a majority any way they can. We got Republican control in the House and Senate (a dream of mine in the 1980’s) and they began to sell out within a few election cycles. I hate the Democrats, but I’m ambivalent toward the Republicans. I was once proud to be one; not anymore.
AJ, I like you. I think I know where you’re coming from. But Republicans have to be for limited government (and they have to be vehemently anti-socialism), or they may as well fold up the tent and go home.
The keys being that you get the 70-80%, and try for more later. That’s not being a moderate, it’s being pragmatic. Great big difference.
W-GIRL,
Hard truths hit home hard. I am not wrong about where the GOP and conservatives are heading – I have not been wrong for 4+ years now.
I did miss the 2006 and 2008 elections – banking on the fact America still had warm spot for the right. I did not think the GOP had damaged itself that much leading into 2006, so was under the impression they would rally the country in the end.
In 2008 I could not understand who an empty suit liberal could look more impressive and hopeful than McCain and Palin.
In both those instances my mistake was not backing the GOP or conservatives enough, my mistake was underestimating the damage the right has done to itself with the centrist voters.
The times I have been wrong I was too optimistic about how conservatism and the GOP was playing in America.
I can see the data, I can read the poll results, I can read the election results. All that has happened is I took off the rose-colored glasses and realized hoping and wishing otherwise was not being realistic.
I knew the right was self destructing and heading to oblivion, I was simply wrong at how far they had gone over the cliff.
There is a way back with America (not me), but that requires a lot of humble pie and crow, something the right is incapable of doing.
I am not wrong, because I have not been wrong, except when I dared to hope it was not as bad as it was.
Richmonder81,
Well, I guess you appreciate how the centrists feel when they are called RINOs, Traitors, Quislings, Spineless, devoid of principles, squishy or people who stick their fingers in the wind!
And now you might understand why America is rejecting conservatives in massive numbers, even as liberal socialists are destroying this country.
AJ,
Are you saying that Specter was NOT a RINO?
“How did we get McCain as our candidate ”
Because Democrats voted in “open” primaries and got him enough votes to win primaries. As it turns out, the best candidate was probably Mitt Romney but you have a lot of “conservatives” who are unable to separate their religion from their politics or something. Romney being a Mormon caused a lot of knuckle-headed Republicans not to vote for him. I think he would have done better against Obama than McCain did. My personal favorite was Rudy early on, but when he dropped out, I was for Romney.
I think AJ is surely at least partially right about what’s responsible for the GOP’s recent downturn, and possibly even largely correct as he has pretty good judgment, but as in all things, the true reasons for outcomes are usually many-faceted and not always as cut and dried as what they appear to be at first glance.
There are other factors to consider, chief among them the media elephant, or more accurately donkey, in the corner.
The media, which is overwhelmingly dominated by people far more liberal than even your average Democrat. They bitterly opposed the Iraq war, but were forced to keep mum and go along with what they feared would be a fabulous success by Bush, that dunce whom they thought “stole” the election in 2000. They witnessed the quick, easy takeover, and the joyous Iraqi people hammering their shoes on the statue of Saddam. They were seething. But then came the difficulty with the insurgency and suddenly they had cover to vent all their pent-up frustration and anger, releasing story after story about the carnage, and Abu-Graib. They started to feel their power to influence the public attitude returning, and this time they weren’t about to let it get away from them again. Bush was fair game, and they pelted him relentlessly for years.
And they vastly increased their stridency and ambitiousness in going after anything conservative/Republican, and covered and/or cheer-led for anything liberal/Democrat. “Macaca” topped the news night after night, while John Edwards’ (at the time alleged) affair was of no interest whatsoever. There are dozens and dozens of similar contrasts.
When Sarah Palin burst onto the stage at the convention with her conservative pro-life cheerful can-do attitude, she instantly appealed to all Republicans except David Frum, and even took the Democrat advantage away with independents and women — big time. What happened next of course was a blatantly unbalanced assault on every aspect of her being by our friendly liberal media, working in virtual and actual concert with the Obama campaign, all the while ignoring the real negatives regarding Obama’s associations and extreme leftist stances on issues such as gun control, abortion and pretty much everything else. Some would have us believe Sarah’s decline in approval was solely because of how she performed in artfully edited interviews with Charlie and Katie, but I attribute the lion’s share of her negatives to how she was (otherwise) unfairly characterized by the media — from the evening news to “The View”, from CNN to SNL, from MSBNC to Comedy Central.
George Allen is a bigot? Sarah Palin is an airhead? Not in objective reality, but they were turned into them by ……. the media. An angry vindictive unleashed 9-1 Democrat-voting media.
I think you’ll find the same thing has been at work in dozens of other races around the country. A veritable warping of reality by those (formerly) entrusted to be fair and impartial. A huge factor that I think dwarfs most others. Currently, they’re all too happy to advance the notion of there being a major civil war within their opposition, and ignore their own hand in either manufacturing it, or fanning whatever relatively small flames there may actually be.
Yes, I’m sure some have left the GOP because they felt unwanted for this reason or that, but how many are or will be leaving the other side after learning the hard way about the guy who said he’d go through the budget with a fine tooth comb? As mentioned above, more people these days are saying they’ll vote for the Republican candidate over the Democrat in congressional races.
In fact, it looks as though a substantial majority of GOP voters think NOT that their party is too conservative, but not conservative enough:
Even among independents, there’s a fairly good majority composed of those who either think the party is just right or needs to be MORE conservative:
In fact, it’s looking like the big problem with the GOP’s brand isn’t that it’s moving too far to the right, but sadly for me and his other 25 or 30 fans, simply George W. Bush himself:
Bush and his communications team sat back and let the media define his Presidency. That was perhaps his biggest blunder, not realizing the power the media had to influence people’s attitudes, especially given several years with which to work. Tony Snow did an admirable job of attempting to turn that ocean liner, but it was much too late.
Don’t disregard the media’s role in actively shaping and pushing to the exclusion of all else a narrative that is only partially, and maybe even minimally, true.
Well said Richmonder81 and W-GIRL08…
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Somehow Aj believes that calling conservatives ugly names will convince them to be “centrists” or something… Yep, if you call me a d**b s**t raving ******e [or whatever Aj’s current insult is…] , I’ll definitely join your club and embrace your values…
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If President Obama’s values and visions are correct, Dems will rule for a looooooong time… If he’s wrong… We will reorganize and as new leaders emerge… will get back into the game…
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Unfortunately, many of my current President’s programs will be irreversible…
I have not been wrong for 4+ years now.
I did miss the 2006 and 2008 elections –
Let’s see…..2009 – (4+) =
oh, never mind.
Rodney Graves:
Are you saying that Specter was NOT a RINO?
I would say Specter was not a R in any fashion, he is a Democrat in every way. The R after his name was for Renege.
For those conversing about McCain and why he didn’t win. He was never the Republicans candidate, he was put on the ticket by cross over Democrats and the MSM. He was doomed from the time he lost the 2000 nomination to Bush (actually he stood no chance of getting that nomination) While McCain is a person I admire for many things, he was a lousy candidate and stands for very little of the things most Republicans stand for. He lost because many Repubs stayed home because they had little incentive in the differences in him and Obama. I personally did vote for McCain because even with his problems, he really is and was a much better person to be in charge. He would not sell out the country the way Obama has, he’s a patriot of the highest order. I’m sure he could have been relied on to ‘do the right thing’ when he had to, unlike Mr O.
As to what is going to doom the Dems, absolute frustration by many that voted for Hopey and Changey. they’ll soon discover he’s a typical politician who doesn’t give a damn about anything but winning elections and believes that selling out the country is the way for him to do it.
I remember someone saying last year that this is a 30 30 30 country. It’s inevitable that one of the “30’s” is going to be very unhappy. I guess, with that being the range, one of the “30’s” is “taking their toys and going home”. . Right now, it seems no one is satisfied. Trying times….
Personally, I just can’t stand how the democrats abuse the citizens of this country with their intellectual dishonesty and downright lies which went to a new level in the clinton administration, ie “IS, IS”. Until the democrat party denounces that, I will NEVER support them. Ever.
And this is a fact: barack obama had the most liberal voting record during his 2 years in the senate, is it not?
ivehadit, here is what Rasmussen says:
So Democrats outnumber Republicans 38.7% to 33.2% or roughtly 39 to 33. Leaving about 25% “other”. Neither party has enough to make a 50% majority to win national elections. It is that 25% in the middle that makes the difference either way.
AJ,
You have stated repeatedly that you are not GOP and lately that you are not conservative, right? Then what do you care what either of them do?
I don’t understand this drama coming from you when you have always (painstakingly) presented yourself as a rational person.
Who are these “evil far right” people that you scorn? What did they do? Even more important, what are you going to do to make this a better country?