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
"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 never walked in the door. Though as a very young man I had the honor of working on the 1980 campaign that elected Ronaldus Maximus.
I'm skeptical as to your point of view. Frankly, the conservative base has been pushed so many times by the GOP and sucked it up so many more that I find it hard to believe that any mass exodus is in the cards. The innate conservatism of conservatives is being used against us.
Well put.
I'll be back. I'm on Jim's thread right now. Yall come on over.
One can easily be a fiscal conservative without being a social conservative. And quite a few reporters have factually laid out Rudy's fiscally conservative record and even Newt raved that's what he did for the government is one of the greatest achievements of goverment (ie, fiscal) capability of the 20th century.
"Dick Cheney will probably outlive us all."
Not likely, but he is a national treasure.
"ohhhh hasn't created an about page."
How thoughtful of you.
"ohhhh hasn't created an about page."
How thoughtful of you.
NO, it's not possble. If you don't spend all the money it takes to fund all those social programs, then you are a social conservative.
Wow. Major disconnect, Nick.
But that's okay. Greater minds than you or I have called Rudy one of the best fiscal conservatives of the 20th century.
"Liberal Republicans like Guiliani are more dangerous than liberal democrats..."
In the end Guiliani is at least one of us...an American...
SheWhoMustNotBeNamed would throw us all to the Chicoms...especially the conservative right. At least if we play our cards right, we can make sure Guiliani, in the end,wins BECAUSE of us.
Good luck with your 'new' Party!.
thank you...as a fellow American I am glad to hear your pride in how you vote takes precedence over the welfare of your countrymen...something that will be a real and legitimate issue if the REAL left...the left that sees you and me as a greater threat than Islam, ever comes to power.
Good point.
Well said.
I won't have to 'check my principles at the door'---the way that many conservatives that will vote for Rudy will.
Yes.
IF Giuliani, McCain, or romney wind up as the GOP nominee. All 3 are pro-abortion, pro-gay, anti-2ndAmendment, and anti-free speech. All 3 are unacceptable, and will never win the Presidency.
Absolutely correct! Great point!!
My sentiments exactly. I voted straight Republican since 1987 and when we finally got a majority in both houses and the presidency , what happened? The RINOs of the gang of 14 stopped the conservative legislative agenda by stiffing the illegal alien package from the house.That made up my mind then, that I would never vote for a liberal ever again.
Like you I will leave rather than vote for a liberal, and if I am pissed enough, I might vote Dem , just out of spite. I certainly would vote for Joe Leibermann before I voted for Rudy Giulliani. At least Joe has a record and a demonstrated courage.
The Republican moderate movement, if there is one, is engineered from the current RNC leadership and the MSM slimes. They think that Dem moderates will come over to vote for a RINO candidate.
WRONGO! ( Why?)
Because of Obama. He will unify the Dem party, and Hillary will never receive the Dem nomination. She is hated in her own camp. And the Dem moderates will vote for Obama, rather than a RINO. Count on it. The RNC , in supporting a POS like Rudy is missing their last best chances to win the election by giving Rudy the edge.
Rudy is nothing, and he cannot unify the Republican Party. Only Newt and Duncan can do that.
The GOP can afford to run a socon for pres. It cannot afford a party split.
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