Posted on 10/03/2005 7:57:40 AM PDT by for-q-clinton
The Conservative movement may benefit by losing the House and Senate in 2006. I’m not advocating that we campaign to lose; however, if you look at the ramifications of losing in 2006 the Conservatives have a better chance of winning in 2008. Note: I didn’t say the Republicans I said Conservatives.
First, look at the current political landscape. The sitting Republican President is floundering and struggling to get his message out or even finding a message. His 2nd term started off bold; however, the Democrats have stymied any meaningful action for his 2nd term. It’s easy to be an opposition party when all you have to do is stick together to stop anything from happening. This is precisely what led to out of control spending. The Republicans can’t pass any meaningful legislation to appeal to their base because the Democrats are there to stop it by a filibuster. The only thing they can agree on is spending money, so they all spend money hoping to buy votes for the 2006 election. Conservatives although winning in elections are still losing where the rubber meets the road.
If Republicans hold on by a thread in 2006 there isn’t any precipice for real change, so it will be more of the same. Of course if the Republicans won a super-majority in the Senate and even a few more seats in the House, then that would be the best case scenario; however, that has a snowball’s chance in Hell of happening based on the current political scene, I’m not going to go in a race-by-race analysis here; however, most pundits are thinking a couple seats either way and for the sake-of-argument I’ll accept that analysis.
So if the Republicans continue on this path their base will not be motivated in 2008. The only motivation they’ll have is to vote against Hillary (or whoever the Democrats nominate). We all know you don’t win elections by voting against the other team (remember Dole in 1996 or the Democrats voting against Bush in 2004?). Something must be done to slap the Republicans out of their political haze—losing in 2006 will do just that.
By losing in 2006 they will realize they screwed up and they can’t govern playing softball with the opposition and even acting like the opposition. Losing has several benefits. One is that ideally the Republicans that lose will be the ones that haven’t been living up to their Conservative roots. By shedding the fat the Republicans can become a leaner, meaner conservative political party.
Another benefit of losing is that the Democrats will no longer be the opposition party. They will have to propose bills and take a stand on issues and not just stand opposed to the President. This in turn may wake up the President to actually veto a spending bill, since he won’t be buying votes for fellow Republicans he will be vetoing out-of-control Democrat spending. By losing we may actually be able to refrain from over spending.
Also there are quite a few Democrat Senators that want to be President. They’ll try to pass extreme liberal bills to motivate their base. In the past this was the formula for success--run hard to the left (or right) then run to the center after you get the nomination. This is no longer a winning strategy due to the Internet with bloggers and sites like the FreeRepublic—the new media will not ignore previous votes and history like the old media does.
If the Democrats remain completely out of power for another election cycle they will be desperate for a win in 2008 and will allow their politicians to campaign in the center, just so they can get a win. By giving them some power in 2006 they will go ravenous with their new found power and think their ideology has won. This will scare the Electorate away from the Democrat nominee.
Finally, this will validate the War in Iraq and take it off the table as a political issue in 2008. The Congress controls the purse strings and can stop funding the war effort at anytime. How can they attack Bush on the war if they were the ones funding the war? If they do vote to cut spending (which most likely won’t pass) they’ll be on record as part of the Left fringe not suitable for the highest office. One of two things will happen, either their extreme left base will lose enthusiasm because their party didn’t stop the war or mainstream America will be scared off of the Democrat party.
But what about Supreme Court nominees? Won’t this allow the Democrats to vote against all his nominees? Not necessarily. The first pick of John Roberts was a gem and the Democrats would have voted for him whether or not they controlled the Senate. The current pick is a bit too early to know which way it will go, but Bush has proven he won’t send up a true Conservative with a Conservative record (like Scalia or Thomas). He’s already picking nominees based on what the Democrats will say, so nothing is really lost when in regards to the Supreme Court.
I’m not trying to say it will all be roses. We don’t know what the future holds and what happens if we have another terrorist attack? Who knows what impact that will have on the President and Party in power. Typically you want your party in power during a crisis. There’s a good chance each party will blame the other just like 9/11.
The biggest downside that I see is that the President won’t be able to pass his agenda in his current term. But is that really a down-side? As mentioned earlier the opposition has already stymied his 2nd term agenda. A worst case scenario is that he’d agree to Democrat spending to get some of his initiatives passed and that’s a better situation than we are in today of out-of-control spending and no real reform.
the republican party is becoming a joke. all they seem to be doing now is trying to stay in power. as a conservative im starting to feel politically homeless.
What about the country? If your give up strategy is adopted how many innocent Americans, Europeans, Israelis, Iraqis die so you can see the left implode again.
The price of your strategy is too high. The GOP should run as conservatives when they do they win.
With what the so-called republican congress (rather RINOcrat congress) has given us, having a socialist congress cannot be much worse. The RINOcrats are outspending any socialist democrats of the past 50 years anyway. Iraq is the only real issue they can stop $$$ for.
Me too. You know I'd rather lose an off year election than the big one. Maybe 2006 is the year to vote for a 3rd party to send a message.
Me too. You know I'd rather lose an off year election than the big one. Maybe 2006 is the year to vote for a 3rd party to send a message.
Same here. I won't be voting Republican for quite awhile, however, I will remain registered Republican.
Why don't you try to win WITHOUT US, Bush basher?
The Conservative movement may benefit by losing the House and Senate in 2006. I’m not advocating that we campaign to lose; however, if you look at the ramifications of losing in 2006 the Conservatives have a better chance of winning in 2008. Note: I didn’t say the Republicans I said Conservatives.
You may sneer at those of us you sneering deride as not being "real, true conservatives." But we can win without you -- you cannot win without us.
The current batch of elected officials has sold out the principles of conservatism on far too many points. There are people who will flame you for not going lock step with the Republican party as they will point out that Democrats are bad for America. Frankly, with Bush/Rove's policies on immigration and vote buying to support local Republicans it's obvious that conservatism got the short end of the stick.
Supporting Spector over Toomey?
Continuing to back Lincoln Chaffee?
Threatening Tancredo?
Amen.
HA! Don't get to comfortable after two "landslide" victories 2000, and 2004.
"You may sneer at those of us you sneering deride as not being "real, true conservatives." But we can win without you -- you cannot win without us."
I think his point is that if you win it doesn't matter because the Republicans don't capitalize on their win and move the government right. So we can't win without you, and you can win without us and do nothing. Great options.
Is this a joke? You can't really believe that. I'm not bush basher by the way. I am a concerned conservative that wants spending controlled.
...But we can win without you -- you cannot win without us...
Good luck!
If "you" win, it's no different from if the democrats win.
Who cares?
I hope you can win without us...not sure how though because I was one of you.
But if you can do it without me, great. I can sit this one out and still be guaranteed that Hillary won't be President.
Let me know when you need me and the other Conservatives.
It's time for a Reagan conservative. Draft Mike Pence for 2008.
I have read Michael Barone's reports of both elections, friend.
The "real, true" conservatives voted in no larger numbers in 2004 than they did in 2000.
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