In the time the network was on the air viewers were allowed to call in and talk directly to congressmen, senators, staffers, Conservative activist, etc. I was able to do such lot's of times. I also got to talk to conservatives like Alan Keyes who's radio show was also at that time live TV carried on the network. IOW I didn't just start paying attention to politics and activism when "W" ran.
Sad to say in FR in early 2000 a huge flood of Republicans supporting GW Bush came to FR and basically had their way. They as such weren't conservatives but demanded full loyalty to Bush and Bush in their eyes did not wrong. Anything Bush asked for was not to be questioned or scrutinized or often enough banishment or suspension of posting privileges followed. After his election it only got worse and FR lost a lot of Conservative posters from it. A few of us are still around that remember it well. Lot's of Freepers with earlier than 2000 sign up dates got the boot.
The GOP lost it's way starting in late 1995 with the Coup against Newt. Newt wasn't perfect but he delivered. Something the GOP has not done since now has it? By the 1996 GOP Convention the takeover was complete and it looked like a daytime variety show ran by liberal women. I mentioned former congressman Bill Paxon R-NY he was a congressman at the time and worked with John Boehner to unseat Newt. Bill Paxon Here's an excerpt
In the summer of 1997 several House Republicans, who saw Newt Gingrich's public image as a liability, attempted to replace him as Speaker. The challenge began July 9 with a meeting between Republican conference chairman John Boehner of Ohio and Republican leadership chairman Paxon. According to their plan, House Majority Leader Dick Armey, House Majority Whip Tom DeLay, Boehner and Paxon were to present Gingrich with an ultimatum: resign, or be voted out. However, Armey balked at the proposal to make Paxon the new Speaker, and told his chief of staff to warn Gingrich about the coup.
Recognize any names? Now that is just part of it. Do you remember the keynote speakers in 1996 at the Convention? Two women one was Liberal Christie Todd Whitman the other was a congresswoman from NY Susan Malanari - R-NY. Guess who her husband is? His first name is Bill.
The GOP abandoned the common sense leaning Conservative policies of Reagan that worked. Poppy Bush began that process by bringing back in the old guard GOP-E Nixon/Ford Liberals from the previous administrations and GW Bush did the exact same. Fail planners from previous administrations brought back into policy making process not once but twice by father and son.
I want to ask you a serious question. Did you serve in the armed forces in the era 1975-1980? Do you know who Gerald Ford's Secretary of Defense was? The man who put into place what became known as the walk away for 30 days and get out fast policy as far as desertion goes. It was rampant up into late 1977. A significant number of Vets discharged between 1995-1977 do not possess Honorable Discharges. It was Donald Rumsfeld. Carter's tenure as POTUS was a full blown disaster but Rummy started us into that disaster and that is a fact. Now while troops in Iraq War 2 were being court martialed at the drop of a hat under "W"'s term what was Rummy or Gates doing about it? There's more.
In 2000 then candidate "W" blasted Gore for the Clinton administration Nation Building Policies. Bush turned right around and did likewise only worse. He made a mockery out of the war on terrorism by bringing terrorist prisoners to GITMO and failing to hold Tribunals which would have sealed their fate before next POTUS took office. They should have faced a military Court and executed. Bush gave Obama the opportunity to release them because he lacked a spine just like his dear old elitist dad. We paid for that one dearly didn't we? We're fixing to pay again aren't we? The radicals have a nice shinny Army to use against our troops. FREEPERS including myself warned this was coming when Bush went the Nation Building Route in Iraq. Rather than make Iraq a 100% unconditional military mission of elimination and destruction of Iraq as any future threat he instead chose like a Liberal to use social changes at the expense of our troops. If Bush had ordered the destruction of Iraq and all infrastructure we would not have Iran and other messes today. Iraq wasn't a war on terror ity was a payola to connected contractors.Yee Hah!!!! GW Bush was the second Term of LBJ.
Under "W" our very hurting and neglected military could have been rebuilt. The days after 9/11 not even a one man increase in allowed End Troop Strengths was called for and then we went to war unprepared. Time after time opportunity after opportunity wasted because he was too focused on his beloved TRADE USCOC backed disaster called NAFTA which has encouraged less than secure borders and millions more in illegals even before Obama's open borders policy.
Being a Republican doesn't make one a Conservative. Electing GOP Liberals does not change the course of the party nor the nation. Voting GOP no matter what doesn't make ones vote the right thing to do. I research and pay real close attention to where my vote goes even on a local scale do you?
The GOP-E has not produced a decent Tennessee Republican Senator since Howard Baker. Fred Thompson was great his first term and I thought he would be different. Then he upon second term went DC establishment. Thompson had the skills needed and experience to bring down Bill Clinton. He took on one of the most corrupt governors in history and brought him down prior to his senate tenure. Fred chose instead to say "Don't name no names".
Bill Frist former Senate Majority Leader a real winner /sarcasm. He started Medicare on the road to Obamacare. Three cheers for Bill Frist./sarcasm
Last but not least I leave you with "W's own words during the 2000 debates to the effect he and Gore were not that far apart on most issues. Bush except on global warming nonsense was closer to Clinton, Ford, and even LBJ on policies than he was the policies of Reagan. His policies, his choices for key positions, his apathy to Conservatism, validate these remarks. He was a Bigger Government North Eastern Educated Elitist. A Bush Family Tradition.
We will not see change in direction of government until the enemy within's grip on the GOP is broken either by a political takeover at the poles telling the party power brokers like Rove to get bent or forming of a new party. The DEMs stronghold depends full 100% upon the GOP-E enabling it. At this point in time a new party seems to be a more doable correction.
Awesome post Snipe