There were many things in your post that I agreed with.
However, this
“And it was this same constipated old man thinking that ran the Republican campaign. The only real youth and vigor that Republicans had captured, had been through Ron Paul’s leadership. So what did the Republican Party do with Ron Paul & his followers? They kicked him (and them) out of the tent, and wouldn’t let Paul speak at the Republican Convention. Did anyone think about the fact that we were throwing out the most internet savvy, the best grassroots organizing, the best fund-raising, the youngest and most dynamic people in this whole election — even better than Obama’s? No. They weren’t Neocons, so they were categorized as “left-wing loonies”.
I am 55 years old and even I feel like I am talking to “my dad’s generation” in dealing with the Republican Party. And that should tell you something.”
-—was simply outstanding. I supported BJ Lawson in the run against David Price (he was solidly trounced) in the 4th NC district. He did not even plan to run until the primaries (he was a huge Ron Paul fan), and the party leadership sort of stood over to the side, horrified that he attracted the youth, the unwashed, blacks, split ticket Obama voters, and other ne’er do wells. His message of liberty, freedom, fidelity to the constitution, rejection of militarism, integrity, fiscal common sense..., all through a netting based on a deep personal commitment to Christ..., they were strong pulls for the most eclectic group of people I have ever seen among Republicans. A sold contingent of black people, tatooed and pierced, button down conservatives, and a WIDE group of people..., but mostly YOUNG people.
I am 53 years old, and I share your feeling that the Republican party is dominated by a bunch of blue haired geezers who are basically dyspeptic hating old churls who can’t figure out if they are conservative because they believe in it or because they are angry that life has moved on and passed them by. Maybe there will be a real time of soul searching among the Pub leadership. I sincerely hope so.
Does anyone really think that Democrats do this? That they look at supporters and say, "No you are too clean cut for us?" Of course not, they say, "Welcome aboard! And here's what we'd like you to do -- go house to house in poor neighborhoods, reach out to the apathetic and get them to vote for us."
Unfortunately, a candidate like BJ Lawson didn't stand a chance dragging the weight of the Bush legacy, McCain and an old "Republican Guard" determined to undermine him.
But I was looking at the results and Lawson actually did better than McCain in most of the districts, so he succeeded beyond what would have been expected even if he didn't win. Small consolation, but a good possible indicator of the future.
Someone needs to get both of your posts in front of GOP leadership for a much needed wakeup call.
I’m 34, many years your junior and I feel exactly the same way. This is exactly why I run the libertarian ping list, because I became so similarly disaffected with the GOP during the ‘96 Dole campaign, of which this election was basically a repeat. Bob Dole didn’t represent me or my generation in the least, or even that of my parents. He represented a generation that was already reaching the end of it’s prime in mainstream politics at the time, and that was 10 years ago.
Although I have always consider myself more of a ‘work within the GOP’ small ‘L’ libertarian than a LP loyalist, if the GOP can’t change then I might end up drifting even further, as so many others have.
The old blue haired fuddy duddies you speak of need to be shown the door, ASAP, if there is to be any chance of resurrecting the GOP as the party of liberty, personal responsibility, and individuality. It’s moved way off the reservation in the last decade. If you’re still in denial over that, reality has eluded you.