Posted on 11/08/2006 8:24:41 AM PST by A.Hun
The election is over, and the Republicans lost. I did not think the electorate was this foolish, and expected a large turnout to help Republicans. For the first time in recent history, that was not true. Many of the previous base of the Republicans voted the other way. My hopes of even gaining seats were dashed.
Many wish to blame President Bush and the war in Iraq. The MSM certainly helped the Dems make it their center argument, and put a national face on local elections. However, both pro war and anti war Republicans lost. Being a critic didn't help Lincoln Chafee. The war in Iraq is a large reason for our defeat because it turned out Dems, but not the primary one.
Lack of communication by all the Republicans has also been sighted as a reason for our losses. Having debated this point over the last year with many people, it is evident that our message was fractured. However, if you look at our robust economy, even with constant pushing by the Republicans, the majority of Americans obviously feel it is doing poorly. That shows the power of the Drive By Media. Not one single good economic story was run without some bad news or interpretation to balance it. The net effect has been a huge propaganda coup for the Dems. The MSM still rules the airwaves in the US, and until more conservative media develops, the MSM will be nothing but a force for liberals. They reinforced every lie offered up by Dems, and ignored the Republican responses.
But these are issues that remained the same from 2004. The fact is, our defeat rests with the so called "conservative base". After the win in 2004, I feel that conservatives became greedy and narrowly focused on pet issues, believing they were owed attention because of their help in electing GWB.
Many "conservatives" moaned for two years that the Republicans and the President were too moderate, and that they would make them pay at the polls. Big spenders, weak on the border, didn't care about the ports, and had the audacity to nominate Harriet Miers were the push button issues. Egged on by most "conservative" pundits from Buchanan to Hannity, they believed they had the right to demand and be given their way. When that didn't happen, they apparently carried through on their threats, and either voted Libertarian or Democrat.
This is sad because the Republican party was rebuked for a party that will spend more, forget the border, unionize homeland security, and block the nomination of anyone to the right of Ginsburg. The constant harping of the "more conservative than thou" did nothing more than help surrender their beliefs, something they are going to be reminded of constantly for at least the next two years.
The argument that this will teach the Republican Party a lesson to be more conservative rings hollow, as the most conservative members of the House just got bounced. The only message average sheeple got was that Republicans were too far to the right and paid for it. That means that "conservatives" have cost America the war on terror, our tax cuts, the honor of our troops, and countless things yet to be seen.
Whether "conservatives" like it or not, our nation is governed by a democracy that depends on politics and compromise to survive. In 2006, the Republican party is the only conservative party we have, and mislead "conservatives" just threw it, and a lot more, away. But, of course, they have their principles. Right now, those and a quarter will buy a cup of coffee for Nancy Pelosi.
And here I was thinking the republican party deserted conservatives.
Rare vanity ping!
Nope, they were working in our direction. Dems are sure going to help out.
Well said.
Remind me- which party is the one that stands for limited government? This party apparently wasn't on my ballot, so I voted Socialist Lite (GOP) instead of full-on Socialist (Dem).
The biggest lesson is MSM: negative ads are the most effective in an election and the constant negativity about Iraq by the MSM was the Dems most effective ad tool. The MSM on Iraq was one big advertizement for the Dems. This needs to change.
Here's my take:
Getting elected as a conservative is often difficult.
Governing as a conservative earns re-election.
The Republican party is our ride to the dance...
We violated Reagan's 11th Commandment, and this is where it got us.
Spot on. I agree completely. This election was about Iraq and corruption, but I also think the GOP's failure to work toward reducing the scope and size of government was a major contributing factor. We failed to differentiate our party other than to say that we believe in staying in Iraq. The electorate believes differently, and as a result we got trounced.
I have seen what Dem majorities have done with spending in the past. Republicans were far more responsible with our money than Dems, and the money spent went to more conservative agendas.
To have held spending as low as it is with two wars, a recession, dot com bust, 9/11, and about fourteen natural disasters to me is amazing.
Dems would have raised taxes and sent money by the barrelful to every lib cause. Some people can't see how good it is and how bad it could be.
After a tidal wave has hit the GOP, you still place blame where it does not belong.
The MSM does NOT SET POLICY.
You fail to understand tha the Open borders policy caused a portion of the base to drop off.
The Out of control spending caused some fiscal conservatives to drop off.
The curruption caused a portion of the "values voter" to drop off.
The nomination of Harriet Miers caused a portion of srict interpretist to drop off.
The Dubia Ports Deals caused a drop in Non-Globalist to fall off.
You may call those who disagree with the policy decisions "Petty".
However, the results show just the opposite.
If want to place blame, place it where it belongs... ON THE ONES WHO MAKE POLICY.
In two years Bush will gone and with him his style of conservatism
He and karl Rove has single handedly destroyed the conservative movement.
Time to get back to the Reagan conservatism.
You should be happy Johnnie.
You were in full support of Amnesty.
You may not get what you want.
But no time to wallow or lick wounds, we lost the battle, but the war is still on! ONWARD!
"Just calling it as I see it. Many here on FR warned what would happen if conservatives abandoned the Republican party."
What you are 'seeing' isn't accurate.
Do you really believe that conservatives voted for a democrat house because they felt the dems would do a better job on immigration, economy, national security?
There are many reasons why the house was lost, and possibly the senate:
1) Corruption;
2) General sentiment that we are fighting the war in iraq with one hand tied behind our back;
3) Bushed of Bush;
4) individual poor campaign performances;
5) and just plain lack of message other than iraq that didn't sway the moderates back to the repub camp.
6) Pushing immigration issues like building a wall down at mexico, and not one up along Canada smacks of discriminatory illegal immigration. Last I heard, more muslims were in canada than in mexico, and not to many mexicans were on the 9/11 planes. Lets be consistent if we are going to call it a national security issue.
Bush has been ill-served by his administrative leaders, and his military leaders.
You are wrong. The nation is not ready for many of the things conservative want. GWB was the most conservative candidate that could have been elected for President.
He told all conservatives step by step what his goals were and carried through with them. The President didn't leave anyone, they left him, and we are going to pay for it. Karl Rove and GWB saved conservatives from extinction at the hands of Al GOre, plus delivered conservatives to the House and Senate in each election since.
Shortsighted one issue voters like yourself have made a huge mistake.
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