Election Strategy for Conservatives

Free Republic Exclusive! | 5-1-12 | Antoninus

[Antoninus]

Let's face it. The second Mitt Romney becomes the Republican nominee for president, conservatives have lost the 2012 election. The time has come to attempt to make the best of a bad situation.

Please allow me to present my analysis of our current political situation and my worst- and best-case scenarios.

Worst outcome: Obama wins, Democrats Take Control of the Congress.
If that happens, conservatives have lost everything for the next generation at least. Nothing short of divine intervention could save us from socialism at that point.

Second worst outcome: Romney wins
If Romney wins, it doesn't matter who controls the Congress. Socialism will progress, and fast. Romney will have no opposition from Republicans and Democrats will only oppose to push him even further to the left. And he will acquiesce. That's his MO. Worse, Republicans will rightly get the blame for every piece of socialist legislation that Romney signs, resulting in catastrophic defeats in 2014 and a loss of the presidency in 2016 to an even more radical Democrat commanding even more insuperable majorities in Congress than Obama did in 2008.

Least bad outcome: Obama wins with less than 50% of the vote, Republicans control Congress with solid majorities in each house.
This could happen with the emergence of a strong conservative third party candidate that bleeds votes from Romney, giving Obama a Clinton-style non-mandate victory. A strong conservative third party would also have the effect of energizing otherwise apathetic conservatives to come out and vote for conservative Republicans down-ticket, even while voting against Liberal Mitt on the top line. The resulting government produces only gridlock which keeps us in the fight with momentum leading into 2014 and 2016.

Given this, I have decided, for the first time in my life, to vote for a Third Party candidate for president in November. If no one with more national name recognition emerges, Virgil Goode will be getting my vote. I encourage others to think about it and do likewise.

Conversely, you could delude yourself into thinking that Romney isn't as bad as his record clearly shows him to be and spend your time, treasure and energy helping to elect an admitted "progressive" to the presidency. If you decide to do that, God bless you. But don't claim you weren't warned.

[Antoninus]

When faced with a choice of the lesser of two evils, vote for Goode.

[Antoninus]

"Obama thanks you for your support."

[Just getting that in before the Rombots do.]

[D-fendr]

Poor analysis.

>>>”If Romney wins, it doesn’t matter who controls the Congress.”

Huh? Congress passes legislation. A conservative congress will pass conservative legislation. Who’s more likely to sign it, Obama or Romney?

>::” Obama wins with less than 50% of the vote”

THEN it matters less if conservatives control congress, unless you’re pipe dreaming a veto proof majority.

Start with: Remove this regime from power. That’s the primary mission in this election.

[Psalm 144]

You forgot “not voting for Romney is the same as voting for Obama”.
(Severe-conservatives not only have a leftist candidate, they have leftist math skills.)

[unkus]

When faced with a choice of the lesser of two evils, vote for Goode.

---

And under present circumstances, that’s a vote for 0bama.

We’re in one bad predicament.

[lightman]

I’m writing in Santorum. Or Sarah Palin.

[freedumb2003]

>>[Just getting that in before the Rombots do.]<<

hahaha

And your plan is...? Please provide the outcome from said plan.

[Carthego delenda est]

“Conversely, you could delude yourself into thinking that Romney isn’t as bad as his record clearly shows him to be and spend your time, treasure and energy helping to elect an admitted “progressive” to the presidency.”

Virgil Goode has as much a chance as you have for the presidency.

[ciaocotc]

I'm not voting for anyone. I am voting AGAINST Obummer. The only effective way I can do that is vote for Romney. And then go home and take a shower...

[Antoninus]

Huh? Congress passes legislation. A conservative congress will pass conservative legislation. Who’s more likely to sign it, Obama or Romney?

Have you been paying attention at all for the past 12 years? If Romney wins, he will call the tune and the GOP Congressional leaders will dance to it.

I'm saying that the best we can hope for is divided government and gridlock like we had during the Clinton years which will leave us better positioned for a big win in 2016.

[Antoninus]

And under present circumstances, that’s a vote for 0bama.

No, it's not. It's a vote for Virgil Goode, the only conservative in the race.

[D-fendr]

FRiend, alarm bells should go off in your head when you advocate and promote re-electing Obama on here.

When you type those words, an image should pop into your brain. An image something like this:

And then you should delete this post, and quietly... walk.. away.. from.. the.. keyboard.

:)

[Antoninus]

And your plan is...? Please provide the outcome from said plan.

Did you read what I wrote? The outcome is gridlock from 2012-2014, more conservative Republican gains in the 2014 midterms and a big conservative Republican victory in 2016, riding the anti-Obama lame-duck wave.

This is a medium- to long-term strategy. It's not a pleasant one, mind you. But none of our options are terribly good at this moment.

[Antoninus]

Virgil Goode has as much a chance as you have for the presidency.

I don't expect him to win. I expect him to keep Romney from winning, keep Obama under 50%, and energize conservatives to come out and vote for down-ticket conservative Republicans so that the GOP keeps control of the House and gains the Senate.

That's the strategy.

[D-fendr]

If Romney wins, he will call the tune

The legislative is a co-equal branch. Elect conservatives and they write and pass the legislation. Or, as the saying goes, "The President proposes and Congress disposes."

The alternative of the current regime in the executive branch is much worse in all cases.

[Trod Upon]

[going hot]

Anyone with shiite for brains should not be allowed near a voting booth.

[Gandalf_The_Gray]

When faced with a choice of the lesser of two evils, vote for Goode.

We are faced with the evil of two lessers. Now what coach?

Regards,
GtG

PS Hint, vote 3rd party, say hello to Mr 'O'...

[Antoninus]

FRiend, alarm bells should go off in your head when you advocate and promote re-electing Obama on here.

Hey, nothing would please me more than if Virgil Goode somehow started a grassroots brushfire and swept to victory in November over both Romney and Obama. (And actually, there is one politician who could potentially pull that off, in my opinion.) But I'm not so naive as to think that could happen short of divine intervention (and don't think I'm not praying for it.)

I'm dealing with realities here and frankly, all the realities stink on ice.

Let me ask you this. Setting aside party labels, if you had a choice of leaders between a lazy, ineffective, pampered marxist and a driven, efficient, amoral socialist with a vendetta against conservatives, which would you choose?

[unkus]

And under present circumstances, that’s a vote for 0bama.

No, it’s not. It’s a vote for Virgil Goode, the only conservative in the race.

---

You’re right.

I think it’s going to better if 0bama wins. Let’s get it over with and let the whole damned mess collapse.

At least we have the blue prints to build a Republic again.

We’ll have to see what’s left after another 4 years of utter destruction by an evil bastard named 0bama.

[superfries]

The resulting government produces only gridlock which keeps us in the fight with momentum leading into 2014 and 2016.

Gridlock...not really....what about Obamacare kicking in?

[Argus]

All Obama needs to ram his collectivist utopia into place is the Presidency. He has already demonstrated his contempt for the other two branches and will continue to ignore and override them. If you think a conservative Republican congress will be able to hinder or stop him from ruling as a dictator, you are dreaming.

[Antoninus]

The legislative is a co-equal branch. Elect conservatives and they write and pass the legislation. Or, as the saying goes, "The President proposes and Congress disposes."

That's how it has worked historically speaking. Over the past 12 years, Congress has mostly been the president's lapdog--basically a rubber stamp unless they're controlled by the opposition party. In that case, the result is gridlock.

[Jack Burton007]

This is the first election in my lifetime where I believe they had better supply barf bags in the voting booths.

[Antoninus]

Gridlock...not really....what about Obamacare kicking in?

What in Mitt Romney's record leads you to believe he will do anything to stop Obamacare from kicking in?

[Sun]

I think our best bet is to focus on getting as many pro-life, conservatives in the House and U.S. Senate as possible. It’s really the most effective thing we can do for our country right now, imo.

Clintonfatigued, and others, are doing a great job of pointing out the conservatives running for U.S. Senator.

I started a thread about a primary in NY State, and while Wendy Long is my favorite, all three of the GOP U.S. senatorial candidates seem very good as far as I can tell.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/bloggers/2878423/posts?page=3

It would really be nice to have a conservative from NY in the U.S. Senate, and we have a very good chance this year.

[magglepuss]

Chips will fall where they may. This Texas household will be placing two write-in votes for Sarah Palin!
We have resigned the Republican party and reregistered independent. Pubs can kiss my rear.

[Antoninus]

He has already demonstrated his contempt for the other two branches and will continue to ignore and override them.

Have you actually looked into Romney's record in Massachusetts? He's the same way. The agenda is all that matters. How the agenda is achieved is unimportant and neither the law nor the truth are obstacles.

THAT is what you are voting for. I won't vote for that. Nor will I vote for Obama.

[GreyMountainReagan]

Two choices:

1. Remove 0bama from the White House.

2. Keep Romney out of the White House

Those are the only two choices.

Which do you choose?

Me? I choose Door #1.

[OrangeHoof]

The plan If you don't live in a swing state, do whatever eases your conscience most. If you lie in a swing state where the presidency may be in the balance, vote Romney. Four more years or Obama is the death of the Republic no matter how you pretend that Romney is worse. In either case, work for conservative down-ballot candidate.

And please don't think you're being in any way creative or rational trying to convince us to re-elect Obama which, in conclusion, is exactly what you are advocating.

[D-fendr]

What in Mitt Romney's record leads you to believe he will do anything to stop Obamacare from kicking in?

Yeah, we need Obama re-elected to stop Obamacare from kicking in.

Antonius, your analysis just fails when you start with: Keeping the Obama regime in power is a good idea.

[EternalVigilance]

It's a vote for Virgil Goode, the only conservative in the race.

Not true.

[icwhatudo]

[superfries]

So are you saying you are resigned to the fact that no matter who wins Obamacare is going to be implemented?

[freedumb2003]

>>Did you read what I wrote?

You wrote a small sarcastic “Rombot” line — it held no information on your plan.

>>The outcome is gridlock from 2012-2014, more conservative Republican gains in the 2014 midterms and a big conservative Republican victory in 2016, riding the anti-Obama lame-duck wave.<<

So your plan is to vote for obama and then ride an anti-obama wave in 2016?

>>This is a medium- to long-term strategy. It’s not a pleasant one, mind you. But none of our options are terribly good at this moment.
<<

Voting for obama is certainly not a “terribly good” option, but at least you stated that as your intention. Many others just dance around the question.

[Antoninus]

Chips will fall where they may. This Texas household will be placing two write-in votes for Sarah Palin!

That's the politician I was referring to in post 19. It won't happen, but it would be fun to watch.

[GreyMountainReagan]

Two choices:

1. Keep 0bama in the White House.

2. Put Romney in of the White House

Those are the only two choices.

Which do you choose?

Me? I choose Door #2.

[Antoninus]

So are you saying you are resigned to the fact that no matter who wins Obamacare is going to be implemented?

Yes. The second Romney gets the nomination, we'll be getting socialized medicine one way or the other.

Elections have consequences.

[Antoninus]

So your plan is to vote for obama and then ride an anti-obama wave in 2016?

I wrote the original post, genius. Read that. Nowhere do I say I'm voting for Obama as he is an odious marxist and a Catholic-hater to boot.

[HANG THE EXPENSE]

Anyone who votes for romney will be screwed just as if the voted for obama.Conservatives dont vote for liberals unless you live at the country club.Bring it!

[OrangeHoof]

We have resigned the Republican party and reregistered independent.

You DON'T register as a party member in Texas. You vote in the primary. That's how you declare what party you are registered with - by voting. If you vote in the Republican primary, you're a Republican. If you vote in the Democrat primary, you're a Democrat. If you don't vote in either, you're an independent and the only reason the state cares is if they don't want you to vote in the run-off if you didn't vote in the first primary.

So either a) you're not a Texan, b) you're lying or c) you're ignorant about how party affiliation works in Texas. You may choose which is the correct description.

[Antoninus]

Me? I choose Door #2.

I reject your choices and choose to vote against both of them. I'll not vote for a liberal, regardless of party.

[superfries]

Why not elect Romney in a landslide so he has a mandate....a mandate of repealing Obamacare in the republican platform....and push for conservatives down ballot...then we have congress pushing for repeal of Obamacare and if and when Romney pushes back against us we start our search for a Palin to run against him in a 2016 primary as a true conservative? Then the true conservative that beats Romney has a conservative congress in place to fight the good fight.

[Argus]

I’m just stating what I know to be true. But I live in California so it doesn’t matter who I vote for.

[ImpBill]

John Quincy Adams said:

"Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost."

Keep the faith. Vote your principle! And pay little if any attention to the GOPe bots. They have to vote their principles as well and that principle is winning at any cost. A poor principle indeed to guide folks through life.

[Tex-Con-Man]

The best outcome would be Romney winning the Whitehouse, and Tea Party take over House/Senate leadership. Take the power from the appropriators. Leadership that will dig their heels in and shut down the government until budgets actually shrink...not slow growth.

Romney is enough of a squish to go along with strong Congressional leadership.

Obama winning reelection will only damage conservatism even further.

[D-fendr]

>>>It’s a vote for Virgil Goode, the only conservative in the race.

>>>Not true.

Yes, of course, disagreement and vote-spliting even on the true conservative third party candidate.

And some blame the GOP for ‘giving us’ Romney.

A weak field and a disunited opposition to Romney gave us Romney. Nothing you guys are proposing fixes that. If anything it just repeats it with weaker candidates and more disunity.

[Antoninus]

Antonius, your analysis just fails when you start with: Keeping the Obama regime in power is a good idea.

But of course, I didn't say that. What i said was: "A weakened Obama checked by solid Republican majorities in Congress is the least bad option."

All our options are bad at this point. But the absolute last thing we should do is help the GOP elect someone who is a known enemy of conservatives. When you reward bad behavior, you are sure to get more of it.

[hinckley buzzard]

Yeah, that'll work just fine. Thanks for sharing.

[gunsequalfreedom]

I just got my ballot (California). I’m voting for Ron Paul. Im not voting for Romney.

Ron Paul he was the only one to say he would cut budget by $1 trillion the first year of the new presidency. That’s good enough for me. He gets my vote.

Romney will not make even a dent on the budget defict. Romney will not get my vote.