Posted on 06/20/2015 5:53:22 PM PDT by crusher
In recent years, by that I mean since 1990, I have observed the dearth of competent political mechanics amongst the ranks of minarchism/civic virtue where I occupy, while there is no such shortage on the collectivist side of the equation. By “political mechanic” I mean someone who not only believes some point of view but knows how to both craft it and package it in such a manner that appeals to a majority of a particular polity. There is no doubt that people like James Carville and David Axelrod are inspired when it comes to these tasks.
In 1990 Lee Atwater, the last competent conservative political mechanic on the national stage, withdrew from the public square, and died a year later. For two and half decades our cohort has been scouring the wilderness to find another one. Ralph Reed showed promise, but has never showed the depth of talent and accomplishment. I like at least one or two of the guys living in Newt Gingrich’s head, but the rest of them make me throw things in disgust. Rush Limbaugh has continued to prove himself, to me at least, to be an establishment Tory, not a minarchist. Karl Rove? Really? I mean, REALLY???
Recently I have begun to wonder if broadcaster and political strategist Steve Deace might be That Guy. He first came to my attention with the publication of "Rules for Patriots," an effective counterweight to the bible of the Obamanistas and Xlintonoids "Rules for Radicals," whom author Saul Alinsky initial dedicated to Lucifer, The First Radical.
This recent podcast from Deace is perhaps the first, or at least the best, recitation of the nature of politics in America today. Not too surprisingly, he sees the GOP establishment as a bigger hurdle to challenging the Leninists than are the Leninists themselves. Or, at least too close to call.
Give this podcast a listen and see if you agree with me. Deace calls this talk “What Is Politics?” I call it by the catch phrase he uses throughout the speech, “This Is How Americans Do Civil War.” When one participant in an interaction thinks they are at war and the other thinks it is a debating society, the outcome should be of no surprise.
http://http://3gvusk3xxvabsbjj3a4x467y.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/deace_hour2_061715.mp3
1) History -- study the past in order to know what has worked, and what has not worked.
2) Culture -- know your own society so that you will know what your people will tolerate.
3) Politics -- Based on History and Culture, go and figure out how to accomplish things.
We don't know history, we've been trying to alter our culture, we seem to have no idea how to get anything done except create more rot.
It would be nice if a mechanic were to show Republicans what success is like.
Wasn’t it Atwater who convinced GW Bush it would be a good idea to crew over gun owners? His work were, IIRC, “Where are they going to go?”
They stayed home, and Bush lost.
I remember too that GHWB went yachting at the time of Atwater’s funeral.
I am of the same mind, but more recently have been leaning toward the need to destroy the GOP establishment.
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