Posted on 11/07/2006 9:04:07 PM PST by Tribemike
Democrats run conservatives like Webb, Bob Casey, Heath Shuler; Ind congressmen, ...but are totally controlled by Loony Left
Republicans once again try to be liked and try to market a moderate position and lose (Chafee, DeWine).
Santorum not an appealing candidate...made a big deal about helping African poverty situation...came off as self promoting...he comes across as puritanical and while I'm fine with it, that is not an attractive position.
Regarding Allen - how pathetic that a former Gov and incumbent Senator can't win in a cakewalk. He drained RNC resources.
Why didn't Frist run again and retire two years later and let a Rep Gov name his replacement?
We have a Dim Gov in Tennessee.
Whoops, I hate it when that happens ! :-P
If you want to blame somebody, blame the man in the White House. He made a half-assed effort to reform Social Security which gave Democrats an issue to hang around Republican necks for the next 20 years. He refused to do anything about illegal immigration in a futile effort to woo the Hispanic vote. He has stuck his head in the sand on Iraq and done nothing while he was trashed for months. He gave Republicans no room to run away from him and they have paid the price.
Santorum is getting thumped by 20 points and that is all Bush's fault?
He did not sell himself very well....Bush has bumbled things for sure but you can't pin a 20-point loss on him.
Santorum is unappealing....
"If you want to blame somebody, blame the man in the White House. He made a half-assed effort to reform Social Security which gave Democrats an issue to hang around Republican necks for the next 20 years. He refused to do anything about illegal immigration in a futile effort to woo the Hispanic vote. He has stuck his head in the sand on Iraq and done nothing while he was trashed for months. He gave Republicans no room to run away from him and they have paid the price."
you summed up the exact frustration im feeling right now.
So we can count on these "Conservative Democrats" to vote against Bela Pelosi or even to switch party?
I think MANY fail to see the big picture --- some like to call those of us who want the Republican party to remain steadfast to the principles embodied in its own platform "cut-n-run" conservatives (derogatory, baseless, and rude). It is a case of shooting the messenger.
If you want to be angry, direct your anger where it belongs.
Rick Santorum.
Once thought to be a principled conservative, he allowed his pursuit of power to become his focus rather than remain true to his principles. No sense going into the examples; they have been discussed here ad nauseum.
Where else should the blame for this night be placed?
The REPUBLICAN PARTY.
Again, discussed ad nauseum... it started with the election of Clinton. Conservatives rose in great numbers and powerfully crafted the 'Contract with America' in '94. Yes, a message WAS sent to Washington, DC. It was sent again, even STRONGER, when the American people spoke and gave the REPUBLICAN PARTY control of the entire enchilada --- House, Senate, and POTUS.
And what did the Republicans do? Over the ensuing years, instead of taking the AMERICAN MANDATE, they steadily slid to the left ---- folks, when you don't have control (e.g., let's go back to the oft-used Reagan in California example) and you "compromise" here and there in the interests of moving forward, that might be one thing. But once you have the control, and you steadily slide back to the center (i.e., towards the LEFT), that isn't COMPROMISE ---- that amounts to SURRENDER.
Will the Republican leadership take any lessons from this spanking tonight? One can only hope. Don't screw with the base. Remain strong in your principles. The road back is going to be long and arduous. They have lost the trust of many --- regaining that trust will be difficult.
It is time to take an HONEST assessment. For some, I expect that to be a difficult exercise.
Exactly! And that includes the RINOS in the leadership of the party itself, not just the elected officials!
Illegal immigration run amok and a war going badly....and we were going to win?
I bet they believe in the tooth fairy, too!
Unfortunately, it was we who were purged. Quiet a few hardcore conservatives lost tonight. The country wanted a vision, especially out of Iraq. Bush has not been the a very good leader in terms of the vision thing.
No more purges, we need every pubby we have right now. America is really a moderately conservative country, not as hardcore as Freeper land.
I understand your attitude, we need to go back and fix the broken parts.
Partially true, Fatez, only it wasn't TONIGHT that we were purged ---- we have been BEING methodically purged over the period of time that the Republicans had control.
Another Pennsylvania example ---- Murtha vs. Irey. The newly elected chairman of the PA Republican State Committee (Rob Gleason) hails from the hometown of Murtha (Johnstown). As chair of the State Committee, his actions (INACTION) in her race were absolutely inexcusable --- problem is, he is RINO through and through. And members of the Republican Apologists Anonymous (RAA) are all too happy to give him a free pass.
No, I don't think so, from every indication they will slouch further to the middle and probably lose the presidency in '08. They are so afraid to be un-PC that they can't even speak about the real problems that face America. Our current crop are "cafe conservatives" picking and choosing which issues make them look appealing to the middle. It's a sure way to disenfranchise the base.... The true conservative Republicans.
Conservatives are divided between social and economic conservatives. We need each other. The RINOs are neither, but they are not liberals either (except a few Rockefeller types from New England). In other words, we are a plurality in the Republican party, but not a solid majority unless we act together. We do need the RINOs just so we can get elected and or form majorities in the house and senate. Compromises can look very ugly, but they are necessary in our form of government. I agree with what you want, I just don't see it with out some mass coversions to the conservative side or some type of compromise with the RINOs. I don't like it, but I do think it is the political reality. I happen to be in the minority, I am both social and economic conservative, I am way out on the charts.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus
Fatez ----- I read what you write ---- but I don't agree.
Note above my comments again in #9, particularly the part about where we were given control. After that, it is not compromise --- it is surrender. America provided the pubbies with a mandate, and in a collosal way, the pubbies totally screwed it up.
Once again, introspection at this point will be quite difficult for many...
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