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What Should Republicans Do?
The Federalist ^ | July 2, 2020 | Ben Domenech

Posted on 07/02/2020 12:40:40 PM PDT by Kaslin

The thirst among Republican voters isn't even for policy. It's for seeing the politicians they elected join the fray.


I’ve been hammering away at conservatives and Republicans for failing to defend the symbols of national pride the woke leftist mob has been tearing at in recent weeks. Yesterday on the “Brian Kilmeade Show,” I admitted to letting my anger get the best of me a bit. Brian said I was speaking not as a publisher but as an American — and that’s fair. But part of my frustration is that this is such an obvious challenge that anti-American leftists and their enablers in the Democratic Party are offering, and Republicans seem loath to meet it.

The questions I had from multiple politicians and their offices yesterday were all some version of: What would you have us do? Well, there are several things you can do. First, stop thinking your Tweets and statements matter. They don’t. The thirst among Republican voters isn’t even for policy. It’s for seeing the politicians they elected join the fray. As of today, Tucker Carlson is so popular because he seems to be the only prominent figure pushing back against the arguments allowed to stand alone in the public square. Voters need visuals, and they need them now.

Every single elected Republican should go to a historical monument of significance in their district or state — whether a soldier, founder, hero, Texas Ranger, take your pick — and make a video in front of it where they talk about what it means to them and why they love it, and then say that it’s never coming down and if you try to take it down you’ll go to jail. Warn the mob you’re ready to fight back. Do not just leave the defense of our American heritage to a bunch of Italian guys in South Philly — you need to be right there with them.

I’m in Philadelphia on July 2 at Independence Hall 244 years to the day since our founders voted for Independence from the crown. In this building, they set a new course for all mankind & we should unapologetically celebrate that! This #IndependenceDay, let’s #StandUpForAmerica. pic.twitter.com/NDGtOP2xH1

— Chip Roy (@chiproytx) July 2, 2020

Hold a press conference or rally with local law enforcement organizations in your districts to show solidarity with them. Present it as an expression of thanks to the law enforcement community for their brave service in difficult times. Pledge that you will do everything in your power to stop efforts to defund or abolish the police.

Give loud, public support to all levels of law enforcement to do their jobs to quell riots and prevent vandalism. There are innumerable cops out there that would love to protect these monuments and businesses, but are legitimately concerned that with just one questionable interaction with an activist, they’ll be thrown under the bus by the powers that be.

They also need to be publicly defending their constituents who go viral for saying true but objectionable things. These are our teachers, business owners, students, and more. The blue-collar worker whose statue-defending Facebook post gets attacked by the woke mob needs defense, too, and ordinary people don’t have comms directors. They need to know somebody with clout has their back when the mob comes for them.

Don’t let the left pretend this isn’t happening. Emblazon it on them. The New York Times is calling for closing Mount Rushmore this week — patriotic politicians should fully embrace it. Nancy Pelosi reacted with irritation to a mere question about the destruction of the Junipero Serra statue on his feast day yesterday from Kevin McCarthy. They aren’t getting asked questions about this by an eagerly compliant media, so force the issue.

Finally, work with state and local officials to organize massive Independence Day celebrations. Celebrations of the Fourth are just as important and justifiable as protests. Lean into it. Fireworks are socially distanced outdoor activities in a normal year, and this should be no different. Wave Betsy Ross 13-star American flags, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with law enforcement and people who love this country.

Republicans shouldn’t be running from this or avoiding the issue or playing at half measures. If the Democratic Party that had Jefferson and Jackson dinners for nearly a century wants to eliminate them from their history, Republicans should accept them with open arms. Be the party of the Founding. Wrap yourself in the flag. Go to Mount Rushmore and pump your fist while the fireworks go off. Wear red white and blue. Be proud.

Many Democrats seem to want this election to be a choice between a party that loves this country and one that views its history with disgust, as racist and irredeemable. If you have any questions about which side of that argument you want to be on, you have no business being in politics.

Emily Jashinsky has more. “I don’t know the demographic nuances of the so-called ‘silent majority’ of people currently fretting over riots and statue destruction and #DefundThePolice. I think more people than conservatives realize are genuinely drifting away with the cultural leftist tide. Those people will not — they will not — be persuaded to vote Republican because Mike Braun introduced a milquetoast bill on qualified immunity, or because the GOP ‘led the charge’ on swapping Columbus Day for Juneteenth.

“They may be persuaded by a blend of righteous indignation and strong argumentation, by a party that plays offense and not defense, by politicians capable of authentically channeling their own anger and disbelief at what’s unraveling before our eyes —lockdowns, riots, iconoclasm. Despite the left’s insistence otherwise, most Republicans sweat at the prospect of wading into the culture war. Trump’s surprise surge changed some minds on the right on approaching these issues. Clearly some still haven’t gotten the message.”


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Editorial; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: america; destructofstatues; fourthofjuly; gop; historicalmonuments; history; independenceday; monuments; mountrushmore; politics; protests; racism; republicanparty; republicansriots
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To: Kaslin
At this point, I need to be convinced that the GOP aren't simply a placeholder party designed to make a large swath of people think they have representation in DC when in fact those people have very little say in our government. Trump has shown what a bunch of phonies most of them are.
21 posted on 07/02/2020 1:23:38 PM PDT by Major Matt Mason (America has a DemocRat and RINO problem.)
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To: Kaslin
I wouldn't say this applies to all Republicans, Mssr. Domenech; but, IMO, all Conservatives, who can possibly do it, should relocate to political constituencies where their votes can actually have a beneficial effect on federal elections. A depravity spawned by decades of leftist social engineering has rotted the blue states etc. to a point now where correction from within is virtually impossible. The checks on federal power remaining in the Constitution will only be available if the Red states stay strong.
22 posted on 07/02/2020 1:24:57 PM PDT by PerConPat (A politician is an animal that can sit on a fence and yet keep both ears to the ground--Mencken)
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To: Kaslin

Insist that Trump end Operation Warp Speed, fire Fauci, etc., call off the forced vaccine and contact tracing crap, end 5G as we know it, and actually deport illegals.


23 posted on 07/02/2020 1:25:58 PM PDT by 9YearLurker
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To: Wonder Warthog

Just tried to send this to Thom Tillis...They wouldn’t take it because it contained more than 5,000 characters...

I say BS!!!!!


24 posted on 07/02/2020 1:27:10 PM PDT by JBW1949 (I'm really PC.....Patriotically Correct)
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To: bwest

You stole my thunder!


25 posted on 07/02/2020 1:29:11 PM PDT by Howie66 ("Ghislane Maxwell Didn't Kill Herself")
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To: Kaslin

Republicans are useless

Don’t know why so many tout them on talk radio and here


26 posted on 07/02/2020 1:31:04 PM PDT by wardaddy (I applaud Jim Robinson for his comments on the Southern Monuments decision ...thank you run the tra)
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To: PIF

So far it has. Perhaps an Independent movement is standing by? I classify myself as Independent although I vote Republican.


27 posted on 07/02/2020 1:37:17 PM PDT by SkyDancer (~ Pilots: Looking Down On People Since 1903 ~)
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To: Kaslin

It is statistically proven that generally, most gop politicos are sadly lacking in ‘nads.


28 posted on 07/02/2020 1:38:32 PM PDT by chief lee runamok
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To: Kaslin

L8r


29 posted on 07/02/2020 1:43:39 PM PDT by preacher ( Journalism no longer reports news, they use news to shape our society.)
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To: RummyChick

They may not have tried but radical Indian activists, who sound every but as radical as BLM in words if not actions (most actions, they did try to stop keystone pipeline), definitely do want to destroy it. I doubt those kooks speak for most Indians, who probably appreciate the tourist dollars coming into SD.


30 posted on 07/02/2020 2:04:41 PM PDT by Impy (Thug Lives Splatter)
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To: Kaslin

“What Should Republicans Do?”

A bunch of them in Congre$$ can start by growing a set of nads (males only).


31 posted on 07/02/2020 2:35:48 PM PDT by antidemoncrat (uff)
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To: JBW1949
Just tried to send this to Thom Tillis

I liked his brother Mmmmmell Tillis better.

32 posted on 07/02/2020 2:47:40 PM PDT by JonPreston
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To: Kaslin
What Should Republicans Do?

What they usually do... NOTHING!

33 posted on 07/02/2020 3:14:38 PM PDT by VideoDoctor
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To: joe fonebone

What should we do ?
1. Restart the Tea Party movement.
2. Run Citizen Politicians with guts—ex-service people.
3. Start a Republican Newspaper—national one.
4. Start “Sons of Liberty” to protect Republicans.
5. Start being patriots again.


34 posted on 07/02/2020 3:29:43 PM PDT by Forward the Light Brigade (Into the Jaws of H*ll Onward! Ride to the sound of the guns!)
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To: bwest
"Grow a set."

Or wait until medical science perfects testicular transplants.

35 posted on 07/02/2020 4:59:46 PM PDT by Carl Vehse
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To: PIF

As a former leftist I’ve been telling Republicans this for years. They’ve been putting ours in the hospital. Time to be putting theirs in the morgue.


36 posted on 07/04/2020 4:11:04 AM PDT by jmacusa (If we're all equal how is diversity our strength?)
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To: Kaslin

Anyone who would marry Meghan McCain ... I have a hard time taking him seriously. Whatever he’s saying/writing, she’s probably doing the opposite.


37 posted on 07/04/2020 4:25:10 AM PDT by MayflowerMadam
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To: MayflowerMadam
I was wondering what you are talking about, when you mentioned Meghan McCain, as she had noting to do with the article other than is married to the author.

My question is: Is that against the law? How dare she.

38 posted on 07/04/2020 4:40:48 AM PDT by Kaslin
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To: Kaslin

Just a weird partnership like Carville and Matalin. You make a decision to marry a lib, and people question your discernment.

I didn’t say the article mentioned MM.


39 posted on 07/04/2020 4:58:46 AM PDT by MayflowerMadam
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To: Kaslin

Standing on principle is against their principles.


40 posted on 07/04/2020 1:15:20 PM PDT by TBP (Progressives lack compassion and tolerance. Their self-aggrandizement is all that matters.)
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