Dissension In The Ranks

American News Reel ^ | 1/31/04 | Doug Thompson

[jimkress]

Had dinner with an old friend last night, a long-time Republican political operative who – in 1981 – talked me into taking a sabbatical from journalism and going to Washington as a press secretary to Congressman Paul Findley.

He’s been a Republican all his life. Grew up in a GOP family. Served more than one term as a county chairman as well as a Republican National Committeeman.

So it surprised me when he opened the dinner table conversation with: “I’m not going to vote for George W. Bush in November. I may vote for John Kerry if he’s the Democratic nominee.”

Strange things can happen in this world. Joe Gibbs can come out of retirement to coach the Washington Redskins one more time. Hell, the Carolina Panthers might even win the Super Bowl. But when a lifelong Republican tells me he might vote for John Kerry, I wait for a voice to start saying “you’re entering another dimension…next stop – The Twilight Zone.”

“I’m a Republican because I believe in less government, of letting states make the decisions that affect our lives,” he said. “I believe in a balanced budget. But my party no longer believes in any of these things. I can’t be a part of what I think is destroying this country.”

His comments echo what I have been hearing after three weeks on the campaign trail. Republicans are fed up with an administration that has created the largest federal bureaucracy ever, with record deficits and with increasing federal power and control over our lives.

But they’re not just fed up with George W. Bush, they’re fed up with a Republican-controlled Congress that passed the largest, most pork-laden transportation bill in history, that abandoned its promise to impose term limits and that broke most of the promises of the 1994 “Contract With America” that gave them control of Capitol Hill in the first place.

My friend’s theory: “You know the old bromide that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely? Well, my party has taken it step further. Absolute power leads to madness. It makes me, a Republican, long for Democrats back in control. That is pure madness but I can’t help it.”

I’ve been around politics as a journalist or an operative for nearly 40 years and the dissension within the GOP is the worst I’ve ever seen. At a Republican caucus earlier this week, California Republican Congressman Chris Cox headed a group of conservative members who told Speaker of the House Denny Hastert that a GOP Congress was being undermined by Bush's actions in the White House. One member reportedly said a GOP Congress could deal more effectively with a Democrat in the White House than they can with Bush.

“At least we know what to expect from a Democratic President,” he said.

[xsmommy]

so what is YOUR answer? if not Bush, KERRY? EDWARDS? or some third party loser that will never be elected. what is your answer? or does it only matter that you stay true to your principles and who CARES who is president? is that it. you must feel good about your principles at all costs.

[Zipporah]

Glad you think this is humorous.. but the truth be known, that is the best shot you can come up with.

[Grampa Dave]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1067935/posts

VANITY: The best way to keep America a sovereign free nation is to keep the Democrats out of power!
Free Republic


Posted on 01/29/2004 5:54:35 PM PST by Jim Robinson


Will Bush solve the illegal immigration problem? Probably not. But neither will Kerry, Edwards, Dean, Clark or Hillary. Chances are, they'd make it worse. Probably far worse.

Will Bush solve the government spending problem? Probably not. But neither will Kerry, Edwards, Dean, Clark or Hillary. Chances are, they'd make it worse. Probably far worse.

Will Bush solve the campaign finance problem? Probably not. But neither will Kerry, Edwards, Dean, Clark or Hillary. Chances are, they'd make it worse. Probably far worse.

Will Bush solve the drug war problem? Probably not. But neither will Kerry, Edwards, Dean, Clark or Hillary. Chances are, they'd make it worse. Probably far worse.

Will Bush solve the nation's education problems? Probably not. But neither will Kerry, Edwards, Dean, Clark or Hillary. Chances are, they'd make it worse. Probably far worse.

Will Bush solve the so-called healthcare problems? Probably not. But neither will Kerry, Edwards, Dean, Clark or Hillary. Chances are, they'd make it worse. Probably far worse.

Will Bush solve the so-called environmental problems? Probably not. But neither will Kerry, Edwards, Dean, Clark or Hillary. Chances are, they'd make it worse. Probably far worse.

Will Bush solve the social security problems? Probably not. But neither will Kerry, Edwards, Dean, Clark or Hillary. Chances are, they'd make it worse. Probably far worse.

Will Bush solve the medicare problems? Probably not. But neither will Kerry, Edwards, Dean, Clark or Hillary. Chances are, they'd make it worse. Probably far worse.

Will Bush defend America from those bent on destroying her? You'd better bet your sweet bippy he will.

Will any of the Democrats defend America? Hell no they won't. They'd rather turn us over to the U.N. They'd surrender to the French Foreign Legion if given the chance.

Will Bush appoint conservative judges? Yup!

Will Kerry, Edwards, Clark, Hillary, et al, appoint conservative judges? Yeah, right. And hell will freeze over tomorrow.

Will Bush continue reducing taxes? Yup.

Will Kerry, Edwards, Clark, Hillary, et al, raise your taxes as soon as they possibly can if given the opportunity and continue raising them until hell freezes over? Yup.

Will Bush defend the right to life? Check

Will Bush defend marriage between a man a woman? Check

Will Bush defend the right to keep and bear arms? Check

Will Bush say no to Kyoto? Check.

Will Bush say no to a world court? Check.

Will Bush say no to the U.N.? Check.

Will Kerry, Edwards, Clark, Hillary, et al, remove our national sovereignty and subjugate America to world government? Just as quickly as they possibly can if given the opportunity.

Will any other person be elected to the Presidency in 2004 other than Bush (God willing) or a Democrat? Obviously not.

Doesn't make a lick of sense to me to allow the America hating, freedom hating Democrats back into power now that we've kicked them out.

Say yes to sovereignty for America and continued freedom for all Americans.

Say no to the RATS!!

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1067935/posts

[riri]

this is not about "showing" anyone anything ..it's about being true to yourself

I don't understand how one can reason that continuing to vote for Republicans who behave like liberals will ever result in anything but more Republicans acting more like liberals.

However, if they know they will suffer if they reject the ideals that supposedly got them elected perhaps they will be more likely to adhere to them.

[jpsb]

The think the brain dead GOP is getting the message, we'll see, if they do, then I'll stay on the reservation and just keep bashing them [it's easy and fun]. For the children of couse.

[nopardons]

Just keep the FACTS coming...light makes the cockroaches scurry away. :-)

[Zipporah]

Doesn't much matter does it? Seems I voted for someone who I believed to be a Conservative.. and I've learned that the reality is very different. No longer will I be cajoled into voting for someone because of party. If a Democrat is elected, Bush can hold himself responsible not me.

[HostileTerritory]

That wasn't my post you replied to.

[arete]

“I’m a Republican because I believe in less government, of letting states make the decisions that affect our lives,” he said. “I believe in a balanced budget. But my party no longer believes in any of these things. I can’t be a part of what I think is destroying this country.”

I can't and I won't support the republican party.

Richard W.

[F16Fighter]

"I think...they [both parties] opened up Pandora's Box five to ten years earlier than they were originally going to because they smelled votes and (grossly) miscalculated just how deep into a coma John and Jane Doe had fallen into.

Forget the 'War on Terror,' we are being invaded by Mexico."

Yep, after doing the math, BOTH parties were caught red-handed of conspiring to desperately sell out U.S. sovereignty for votes much earlier than planned. What a desperate lot! Caught in the crossfire are the American people AND the Constitution.

BTW, aren't we technically battling on three fronts? We're ferociously battling and winning the two wars on foreign soil, yet ironically meekly surrendering without a whimper on our own homeland. It's shameful.

[MEG33]

Reinforcement arrives,thank heavens!Armed and a straight shooter!

[xsmommy]

no. if you don't vote or vote third party, a Dem in the WH is every bit as much your responsibility as anyone who pulled the lever for them. and a Supreme Court packed with young, healthy leftwingers will also be on your head. but please, feel good about your ideals and principles. that is all that matters.

[Grampa Dave]

I'm out of here. I have to go to a dinner party.

So take no prisoners from the Axis of Whining Wanna Be Evils, the third party whiners/gloomers and doomers. The real losers in life and politics.

Remind me next week for a true two part story re your bumper sticker.

You should post that sticker on every twenty replies to bs threads like this.

Take care!

[jpsb]

[I don't understand how one can reason that continuing to vote for Republicans who behave like liberals will ever result in anything but more Republicans acting more like liberals.]

Excellent point, the GOP needs to remamber the "anrgy white male" vote that put them in power in 94, that was hardly a liberal vote. They just don't understand that princibled conservative government will win elections. Pandering to liberal causes will lose elections.

I think they are being to realize just how badly they stepped in to it. The stupid party really is stupid.

[arasina]

Yeah, me too. (giggle giggle) And then I'm going back to Dean campaign headquarters and tell 'em all about it. They will be so thrilled that our plan is working! This grassroots forum hijacking is SO COOL!

[HostileTerritory]

I've hardly been "stalking" your posts--you show up on most of the threads I read just by virtue of your posting more than 99% of other freepers. Usually, you're making the same point about conservatives opposed to Bush. You should hardly be surprised that you stand out.

Nor should you take anything I say as an insult as you are just standing up for your point of view.

[xsmommy]

and i don't understand how staying home or voting third party and insuring a Dem in the White House and a solidly liberal Supreme Court for generations to come, is a CONSERVATIVE ideal.

[Howlin]

Actually, I don't post as much as you think I do on regular threads. Most of mine are the live threads.

And I'd appreciate it if you'd ping me the next time you discuss me (and my interest in Mars); it's forum etiquette.

[onyx]

BTTT

[MEG33]

You love to go after Bush voters for the fun of it as much as conviction.