Posted on 02/25/2007 3:24:10 PM PST by Rudder
My Dear Feepers,
It’s not just on Free Republic alone, the rift within the GOP perhaps more properly described as the rift between the GOP and one its constituents---Conservatives---has caught the attention of virtually all the major political prognosticators.
It’s a painful thing to endure, and likely it will not enhance our effectiveness as a party, as a political movement or in winning elections. And, at it’s current rate of development and the sometime nastiness of the invective on FR, I think it’s going to get worse long before it’s going to get better.
Think about this as a possible solution, one which allow all of us to still retain our own brand of conservatism and still push for a big win in 2008.
Consider the latest FR poll: 62% Hunter--27% Giuliani.
If the question could have been asked (perhaps it will in the future):
“Hunter is 15 points ahead of McCain and the rest of the pack fall further behind.
Giuliani shows ratings between 1 and 2% at this time, but with hard work and a creative campaign strategy, he just might pull it off in the next 22 months.
For whom would Freepers vote? My guess those going for Hunter would 99% of Freepers.
Can we do both? Support Hunter and yet, despite our best effort and he loses the primary, vote for a win in 2008 no matter who (except McCain) is our candidate?
I suspect the great majority of us could.
I propose this as one who wholeheartedly supports both candidates. Right now, Rudy looks like a winner and a guy who can best handle the job as CIC. Should it be Duncan, I would feel secure knowing that he represents my conservative philosophy and would govern as such.
I see two advantages obtained by this approach: 1. It may well reduce what could become damaging rifts within our community of Freepers. 2. If it works, it could spread and give conservatives in general (not just Freepers) unity---and a louder, focused voice (Re: Meiers?) that would influence the platform and the candidate.
I eagerly anticipate your comments and the flames.
R
Find a shovel and start digging...
Jim, the fact is, we as a nation are running out of veterans from meaningful engagements. Congress is bereft of members with military backgrounds and so are the rest of this country's institutions. Our future is most likely to have more Wesley Clarks than George Pattons.
The military of today faces the sad reality that Uncle Sam died on long ago battlefields, and he won't back you no matter what. The attention span, and aversion to discomfort of our populace, no longer offers comfort to our allies, if in fact, we have allies.
FYI, my active duty began a scant twelve years after the end of WWII.
We are not likely to return to the America that people of our generation knew, as sad as that is.
I'm holding out for Dick Cheney.
"Most of Clinton's proclivities are very similar to most of mine." - Rudy Giuliani
If the primaries result in a liberal candidate being the Republican Party nominee then yes. If the GOP abandons its conservative platform, then yes.
The liberal/moderate/ wing of the GOP are the secessionists; they are the ones hellbent towards the left and will be responsible for looming loss in '08.
No, I don’t think that moderate Republicans expect you to turn your back on your principles. Moderates would hope that you could keep an open mind and decipher which are the most urgent and important issues facing our country TODAY and vote for the candidate that can make the biggest difference, remembering, that a President has limited powers. The power is in the Congress. These members serve for many years, a President serves for 4 or 8. Think back to the shallow years of the Clinton Presidency. Do we want another weak, vacillating president. Or do we want a president that will guide us through the next terror attack. And believe me, there will be another one. I’m sorry, my most important issue is our safety at home. Without it, nothing else matters. How many of us will the next attack kill?
A Rudy Giuliani presidency brings me comfort. I have seen him handle the mob, the terrorist Arafat, and saw with my own eyes how he cleaned up New York City. Yes, I can forget that he believes in abortion and gay rights. He has my vote without reservation. We can not isolate any more voters. We can’t allow a Hillary, Orbama or Edwards in the White House.
"I'm holding out for Dick Cheney."
Are you a cardiologist? Do you think of the West Wing as that part of the hospital with the best sunsets?
..the culture war within the GOP--it is a time for choosing--much more than just a candidate...
[...Right now, Rudy looks like a winner and a guy who can best handle the job as CIC. Should it be Duncan, I would feel ...]
The arrogant ignorance of the foolish republican party is beyond reason. Rudy will lose if the stupid pubs run him against any dem because the base will not accept a liberal and will vote third party conservative.
I will no longer vote for liberals in the republican party.
I was referring to the federal government.
[Unfortunately, conservatives are the battered spouses of American politics. They are routinely abused by the GOP and have been for decades. But they'll never take the initiative to simply walk out the door.]
I walked out the door and I suspect that many others will not vote for rinos in 2008; we will not be used like the dem base.
I feel the same way. Despite what is overall a good political career, his backstabbing just makes me not trust him.
Untrue. But don't let that influence your assumption.
"I look at Democrats and I look at Rudy. What is different? Seriously."
Excluding current company I hope? :-)
Allowance is given for that. Nonetheless, he has shown little indication he would go hands-off with social issues; even when he does try to indicate a hands-off approach (say, gun control) the wording he uses indicates a presumption of far more gov't involvement than conservatives can tolerate (say, presumes that all guns will be licensed). We just don't see anything resembling conservatism in Rudy.
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