Yo Paudio—OK, I’m on same page as you.
I agree that ultimately a sound bite describing conservatism must be created. Also, I agree that there is not a concensus among those who call themselves conservatives as to what conservatism means. Personally, I prefer being called a Constitutionalist rather than a conservative.
Dems have been allowed to redefine conservatives as red neck racists. Sadly, a significant part of the US population believes it.
The problem on our side is that we do not seem to have a central entity that effectively establishes goals toward winning back the hearts and minds of the American people— and then develops strategies and tactics to achieve those goals.
I have no idea what the so-called conservative “think tanks” have achieved or think they have achieved to date. Certainly the RNC’s efforts seemed aimed at getting RINOs elected and taking whatever crumbs the dems care to throw its way.
The left, as always, has been very effective at defining its goals and then achieving them. It’s taken the left 30 to 40 years to be able to run a half black Marxist and win an election. That is a significant achievement.
Conservatives will have to be similarly patient. But, the key is the creation of a body that can put together a game plan and then execute it.
I realized sometime late yesterday afternoon that I’m actually relieved that the GOP got slaughtered the way it did nationally. Sticking with that bunch was really experiencing death by slow cuts.
In any case, if conservatism cannot organize to reestablish itself, then it is irrelevent and deserves a place on the scrap heap of history.
Sorry for replying late. Have been avoiding FR as part of the healing process... LOL
I’m glad we’re on the same page.
The problem is that ‘conservative think thanks’ actually also use different approaches and some of their positions may conflict with each others. Cato is much more libertarian. Federalist Society is more about what they think was the founders’ intents, so outside what’s in the Constitution, I don’t know if they can say much. The religious-base groups (Family Focus, etc.) are obviously from their own view, and not necessarily coherent with those in Hoover, or AEI.
I agree about rebuilding for long term, not short term only. One point that I think need to be highlighted is it’s time to take back social sciences and humanities. We’ve been neglecting them too long, and have been mocking them too much without realizing that they are dominating young people’s mind.