Posted on 06/14/2011 4:20:58 PM PDT by parksstp
Okay Folks, Enough is Enough!
I have enjoyed participating in this forum for a long time because I enjoy supporting the conservative values people like JimRob, the Tea Party, and other decent Americans hold dear to. It's obvious we are in the fight of our lives for the long-term survival of this country. 2012 is clearly a major turning poing that could very well decide whether or not America survives.
Because of this importance, it is paramount we select the right candidate, the true conservative that will stand with us on all the conservative specturms (social, economic, domestic, and foreign policy). We absolutely cannot settle for another RINO or Democrat-lite candidate.
Many people here have been passionate in support of "their" candidate. Others have expressed gloom and doom with no hope of survival. Still others have taken the "my candidate or nothing" road. I want to address these.
Michelle Bachmann, Herman Cain, Sarah Palin, Rick Santorum (listed alphabetically). All of these individuals have strong conservative credentials, and based on what I know, I would feel comfortable and empowered with supporting any of them in a general election against Obama. Nobody is ever perfect, but these four individuals have shown time and time again that they have the character and the heart to direct the country in the "right" direction.
That being said, I have become alarmed and disheartened at the amount of attacks generated against these folks by posters on this board claiming to be conservative. I have seen Michele Bachmann absolutely brutalized for one reason or another, being labeled a "phony, stalking-horse, RINO, inexperienced, unintelligent". I have also seen Herman Cain get hammered as an "Establishment guy, Anti-2nd Amendment, TARP loving RINO". And some people just can't let the whole Santorum/Spector thing rest. It's like many posters for whatever reason want to turn reality on its head.
I know a lot of people on this board like and support Bachmann, Cain, and Santorum. Personally, I really like Michele and her debate performance last night strengthened my opinion of her. As I said before, I could easily support any of them.
I think many of the Palin supporters feel the same way too (that is, if she decided not to jump in, they could support one of the three above without much reservations). And many of us supporting one of the three candidates listed above, could possibly move to the Palin camp if she got in without any problems.
However, there appears to be a strong minority of the Palin supporters on this forum that are trying hard to deliberately suck the life out of any other conservative candidate who might actually be just as able to carry the conservative banner in the 2012 election. The notion of these folks is that Palin is the only "true conservative" who can do no wrong and that any other candidate claiming to be a conservative in this race is simply a "wolf in sheeps clothing", and that we should simply wait for her entry into the race so that she can be rightfully "annoited". After all, they say, once she enters, the debates against the other conservatives will be useless because she is already obviously the winner!
As someone that believes in conservative values and independent thought, I reject this notion and take great offense to the attacks these people have thrown on Bachmann, Cain, and Santorum.
I like Sarah Palin a lot. I love how she has learned to torture the media and turn the game on them. It's clear she is the most charasmatic of all the conservative indiviudals listed. Beleive me, it would be awesome watching her win on Election Night just to see the reaction of the liberal media (I predict Olbermann would hang himself). She's more than capable to be President.
But Sarah Palin isn't the only conservative. And contrary to some people here, she isn't an object to be worshipped. This type of infatuation always leads to disappointment, because NO candidate is perfect.
I like Michelle Bachmann. And I like Herman Cain too. And if either of these individuals ever made it to the WH at the top of a ticket, then I believe are country would be in good shape.
So I'm asking nicely to please, stop the attacks on the other conservatives in this race. These people are not rivals, they're allies. Let them each state their case to the American people, then take a step back, and make a good, rationale, objective decision.
P.S. By "Conservative Candidates" I do not mean Romney or other RINOS (those folks are fair game)
Good luck. This board has been downright hateful lately.
>>But Sarah Palin isn’t the only conservative. And contrary to some people here, she isn’t an object to be worshipped. This type of infatuation always leads to disappointment, because NO candidate is perfect.<<
You gonna GET IT now! You have said The Words That Must Not Be Said.
Prepare for being accused of:
* PDS (of course)
* Being a Romney supporter
* Being a RINO
* Being a Socialist
* Being a Commie
* Being a Commie Socialist RINO
* Being a Commie Socialist Rhino
* Being a Godless atheist
* Being a Godless atheist Commie Socialist Rhino RINO Romney supporter with PDS
And a few others, some of which will surprise you...
No no!
It’s _______________________ potential candidate or BURN IN HELL!
Pay attention!
Oh, I forgot the automatic “troll” accusation.
Anyone to the left of Atilla the Hun gets savaged as a RINO in this place. The quality of discourse has really declined in the 15 years I’ve been here.
“* Being a Godless atheist Commie Socialist Rhino RINO Romney supporter with PDS”
I believe you’ve nailed it!
>> This board has been downright hateful lately.<<
ya think? ;)
I try to keep it light, but sometimes I snap. Just check my “In forum” responses from a thread from last week sometime (which I abandoned as a lost cause). People don’t attack arguments any more, they attack people.
Ummmmm..........No.
If the life and ideas of a candidate (any candidate) can't stand the heat of criticism, how will they ever make it through 4(8) years in the toughest job in the world?
I don't live in a monarchy and I don't believe that any politician was sent by God. None of them are perfect, and none of them are above withering criticism.
I want someone tried and true. Not someone who is too delicate to stand criticism, or someone who attracts slobbering fans rather than thoughtful citizen supporters.
The Founders would have found your suggestion disgusting, btw. They were tired of royalty and its demands, which is why political speech is our most protected form of speech.
Whew...I’m glad you’re here now that the rest of us aren’t allowed any opinions...
I guess you totally miss the concept of a forum.
Hey, our first contestant!
“I’ll take ‘People who disagree with me and must be ground into the dirt’ for $500, Alex...”
THANK YOU for so eloquently saying something that I think needed to be said. I followed the debate thread last night as a lurker. Some of the vitriol I saw aimed towards Michele Bachman was shameful.
LOL. I agree
Actually, no. Our last discussion was fairly mild compared to some I’ve accidentally waded into. :-)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.