What a Trump Nomination Means for Conservatives

Townhall.com ^ | March 17, 2016 | Ben Shapiro

[mak5]

Go back and take a look at his position papers from the 1976 campaign. He was to the right of all of his opposition in the party except for Scoop Jackson, until he took office.

[Conservative Gato]

It is interesting to read what folks are thinking...

Yeah, much of what Trump has done in the past was based on business, not politics. Trump is running on a fairly good conservative platform if they would bother to look.

I believe a successful businessman and true outsider running on a good patriotic platform is worth the risk.

CGato

[Dead Dog]

Is the constitution not the cornerstone of a free America?

What exactly is it that made America great?

[Jim Robinson]

Whats your problem?

[IDontLikeToPayTaxes]

He's a protectionist on trade -- a position that smacks of populist pandering rather than informed conservative economics.

Sorry, Ben.

You could have gotten away with that statement in 1992, but not today.

The American people have lived through over 2 decades of "Conservative Free Trade."

Everybody knows it was just a big scam.

[Dead Dog]

Im watching a Clintonista destroy a 60 year old movement to restore our Free Republic and everyone that stands up for it.

Why are you letting paid trolls trash the strongest constitutionalist we’ve seen since Reagan, if not Coolidge?

[ChinaGotTheGoodsOnClinton]

The GOPe said the same thing about Reagan.

[onedoug]

I think so too.

[apocalypto]

Exactly!

[gwjack]

I beg to differ with you.

Not meant to be argumentative, but,

What part of limited government does DJT support?

How is DJT a believer in human sanctity and the value of life (with his Planned Parenthood donations)?

How can DJT believe in the family having been married thrice, and screwing every female that he finds interesting? Oh yeah, why is his youngest being raised by his scone wife? Yeah he believes in family like some believe in Santa Claus.

I don’t want to argue. Please kindly point out where I am missing it rather than just dismissing it.

[conservativegamer]

THIS! we must suspend the Constitution, eliminate the Congress and FIX our country. Give Trump a few years of absolute authority. What’s the worst that can happen? We’ll go back to conservatism at some point. The Constitution doesn’t work in 2016, it was written a hundred years ago. Trump should write a new one, honestly.

[wildbill]

Shapiro laments the rise of CINOs (Conservatives in Name Only)who are opting for a “strong man” or demagogue for President whose history and stated principles are liberal, big government or ‘flexible’.

This isn’t as surprising as it might seem. In times of stress such as Obama’s transformation of America’, the most conservative people will flock to the candidate who says he will make it go away and relieve their stress. That’s the message of successful demagogues throughout history to folks who see their way of life threatened.

We have just seen one demagogue serve two terms as President. No reason why we can’t have one from the other side.

[TTFlyer]

Is that you, Gutfeld?

[Ohioan]

Think that is probably right. He certainly never became so enamored with Leftist academics as his “Cousin Franklin”—quite the contrary.

[Ohioan]

On just what do you base the notion--cannot call it more than that--that Donald Trump is not a Constitutionalist? His vow to get the Feds out of local education; his warning of the danger posed by those who would divide the Party, as to losing the ability to appoint the right Judges; his tax policy--which is definitely back in the direction of the framers; his willingness to recognize a duty to protect our borders--to take up the cause of the American people, against those who obviously favor a globalist redefinition of duty; all of these demonstrate a better understanding of duty to the Constitution, than do the remarks of those he has thus far vanquished.

Finally, do you really believe that Ted Cruz's recent barrage of cheap & very misleading shots at Donald help the cause of restoring Constitutional Government? I am very unhappy that Ted has undermined his own credibility--I tried for many weeks to maintain neutrality between the two, in the interests of what we all have in common;--but if Ted's recent tactics do not involve definite elements of bearing "false witness," what would?

I believe that Ted Cruz is genuinely dedicated to Constitutional Government. But his willingness to play the hypocrite to smear an opponent, does not help the cause we share.

[Ohioan]

The Federal Government has no legal authority; no legal existence; but for the Constitution.

Donald Trump is not seeking "absolute authority." What he is seeking is a right to act on our behalf; to replace those who are both incompetent, as well as overreaching.

[Dead Dog]

Where do your rights originate?

[Jim Robinson]

KMA.

[Ohioan]

Natural rights arise in nature. Under American theory--based on actual experience--protecting those natural rights is the major purpose of legitimate Government.

Of course most of the "rights" that the Left is always demanding and babbling about--those created by Governments--are not rights at all, in that sense, but special privileges. One of the strongest things that Donald Trump has done, is to disparage, denounce & uproot the "politically correct," mindset that stifles opposition to those special privileges, falsely called "rights," that the Left is constantly promoting at the expense of a once far freer American people.

On the American understanding of legitimate Government, see Declaration Of Independence--With Study Guide.

[Dead Dog]

I suspect you’ve been bought.