Give Bobby my best. We had a good discussion over drinks a few CPACs ago.
We (our family) have given up on playing an active role within the party. As you point out, its petty, and attracts lots of self serving folks. We have more influence through pure conservative channels, where we can support Republican candidates selectively, so that our money and time go to the Santorums and not the Chaffees of the party. I particularly like the Heritage Foundation, and The Club for Growth, as well as ISI for the work they do in restoring higher education.
On your other point, Sun Tzu is always worth reading, but a good conservative should be conversant with the classics in general.
[...a good conservative should be conversant with
the classics in general...]
Spoken like a true intellectual.
Our party needs to unencumber itself and get back to
fundamental rules of engagement. How hard is that?
PROBLEM: Our guy is hypothetically accused of ...
(gasp) ... having red hair. Then our guy acts like
having red hair is a moral indiscretion.
EXAMPLE: So what if Allen called someone a "macaca".
He should have said, "yeah, what of it? Are you such
a weanie, you can't take a little name calling?"
Foley's homosexuality is only an issue because his
political values are conservative. He knew eventually
this attack would come and should have prepared a
response other than running off to rehab.
SOLUTION: Our team needs "snappy come-back" coaching.