Why Do Conservatives So Quickly Abandon Their Own?

Cathryn Crawford

[Cathryn Crawford]

Isn't it true that a lot of the bashing of Bill Bennett is simply due to the fact that conservatives naturally rejoice in the misfortunes of their own? The ability of the conservative movement to abandon their own people when they are even slightly attacked by the liberal/media establishment is absolutely astounding.

Why are conservatives so quick to judge their own? Are we afraid? Are we so afraid of being tainted by a scandal that we will so easily turn away at the first sight of blood?

This is a serious and long-term issue among conservatives that deserves to be adressed.

[Cathryn Crawford]

Let's discuss this - in a civil way. It's a serious issue.

[Texas Eagle]

What are you talking about? Who's bashing Bill Bennett?

[big bad easter bunny]

He's cool with me! and I will see that 5 and raise you 10.

[Rabid Dog]

That is an excellent observation. Conservatives do tend to eat their own once controversy hits. So what if Bennett gambles as long as he isn't robbing banks, pimping, dealing drugs, etc. to support his habit.

[Cathryn Crawford]

I guess you haven't been hanging around here much.

[Cathryn Crawford]

Ping!!!!!!!!

[The Duke]

Conservatives = Klingons

[UnBlinkingEye]

Could it be that Mr. Bennett is a first rate hypocrite?

Preaching to others on virtue, priceless.

[Cathryn Crawford]

I've been debating this all day and no one has shown me that he's a hypocrite yet. He never said, "Don't gamble".

[Texas Eagle]

Uhhhhhhhh.....I guess not. It sure seems like I've been hanging out here a lot.

[Cold Heat]

It is not all consevatives. I supported trent lott.

I supported Trent because the charges were bogus, while I was critical of his leadership in the Senate.

Now I see his lauded replacement is not doing much better.

I think that many pile on because it appears that that is the thing to do these days. It appears that bashing is easier than understanding a situation.

It also appears that the morality police have a heavy hand in the republican party. They are like maggots.

[dighton]

Feeding frenzy.

[Jhoffa_]

Bennett's problem comes from the smarmy section of Conservatism. They love to tar and feather any social conservative they can. It makes them feel better about their own, pathetic existance.

However..

Someone mentioned him as a possible POTUS. In that context, I would be pretty critical of him also.

After having known people with a gambling addiction, there is no way I could vote for him till I was sure he didn't fall into that category.

Aside from that, it's his money.. Let him burn it in the fireplace if he wants to. Hell, I don't care.

[Cathryn Crawford]

There have been some pretty nasty debates on Bennett's "hypocrisy"...a charge which I find to be ridiculous.

[Texas Eagle]

What am I missing here? Who is bashing who? What I see so far is Conservatives being bashed by non-Conservatives.

[jlogajan]

I'm quite happy to see his defenders adopt libertarian ("victimless crime") thinking.

I agree he should be able to gamble. I wish his logic in this was consistent across all his positions on how other people behave. I mean, smoking a joint in the privacy of your own home is "victimless" as well -- a lot cheaper than his million dollar gambling debts too.

[Sir Gawain]

Why Do Conservatives So Quickly Abandon Their Own?

Simple. To gain favor with the media.

[billbears]

Isn't it true that a lot of the bashing of Bill Bennett is simply due to the fact that conservatives naturally rejoice in the misfortunes of their own?

No. It's the ability of a good conservative to hold someone of their own leanings to the same standard as he or she would hold a liberal. Granted, apparently as good Republicans we're not supposed to do that, instead throwing Trent Lott under the bus of political correctness. Mind you, I'm not saying Lott was a great leader, but Bennett did something wrong, Lott didn't

But it is interesting that some in the 'conservative' party are more than willing to step someone down for speaking un PC while give a ride to someone who had the time to spend 8 million dollars in a casino. What about these 'virtues' Bennett wrote about? Never mind family values.

'Kids, Daddy's dumped 8 mil in a casino. Now I know we could have spent that money more wisely, for your education, wise investments, and such, but Daddy has a vice'

Sorry, Bennett stepped way out of line on this one

[Cathryn Crawford]

I nearly used Lott as an example in my post, but decided against as I didn't want to rehash that again...but, what the hell.

I supported Lott..as a matter of fact, I wrote a very supportive article for TWD at the time. But, I too was critical of his leadership.

The charges were, indeed, bogus. Any fool could see that. The conservatives didn't want to be called racists, though, so they turned their back on him.

[Rabid Dog]

You, Sir, have nailed this one.