Three Reasons Conservatives are Losing the Battle for America

American Thinker ^ | February 24, 2013 | J. Paul Masko, III

[2ndDivisionVet]

1. The Electorate

The Republicans may as well stop their soul-searching and look at the reality of the Democrat electorate. In addition to those Republican voters who stayed home on Election Day, the hard-core (so-called) progressives, the inadequate Republican ground game, and those who pay little or no federal tax and are happy to elect those who promise to take larger sums from those who DO pay, there's a more profound and possibly intractable problem. From my countless discussions with Democrats/liberals, it seems clear that many, many voters - we will never be sure of their numbers - neither hear, nor are interested in hearing, the stance of conservatives or Republicans. I'm often incredulous at the self-satisfied political ignorance and gullibility of successful, otherwise high-functioning and intellectually curious Democrats. The range and depth of their ignorance regarding easily ascertainable facts is astounding ("No, President Obama has NOT increased the deficit: that's a lie! For your information, President Obama has spent less than any President in history!"); and many, in my experience, cite the New York Times as their irrefutable source of information, with phrases like: "The Times didn't mention it so it can't be true or relevant...."

For these people, it really doesn't matter what conservatives or Republicans think or say: they won't hear it! Republican positions are totally lost - unheard and meaningless - to a growing number of the electorate, including huge swaths of highly-educated and effective leaders in society. It would be understating the issue to note that the Republican/conservative "brand" has been sullied - but it begins to convey the nature of the problem: it's more accurate to say that the Republican/conservative brand has been effectively nullified for many people. For a growing number of voters, it doesn't matter what Republicans say...

[JCBreckenridge]

“I voted for Gary Johnson, one of my home-state’s former governors because I knew he’d do a good job. (Did such a good job he left the state w/ a budget surplus, and got re-elected while the state was solidly democrat.)”

I preferred Virgil Goode and the constitution party.

[JCBreckenridge]

The average 20 something white person voted the same as the average 65+ something white person.

[OneWingedShark]

> I preferred Virgil Goode and the constitution party.

I was going to vote for Goode or Hoefling before I saw Johnson was running; here's him touting American solutions and, you know, solving our problems rather than kicking them down the road.

[chopperjc]

Time will make the demographics even worse. Yes Dems could implode and have scandals which could hurt them a cycle or two but the demographics march on.

[pieceofthepuzzle]

It's kind of ironic that we are talking about elections being un-winnable because of the minority vote. By definition it is the ‘minority’ vote. That means even without changing Republican appeal with minorities (which I really don't think is impossible and could happen if approached correctly) Republicans could win by appealing to those in the non-minority demographic.

Actually, the fact that we are having this debate is very, very sad and speaks more about the problems in the US than our current economic situation. When identity politics, based on race, is the deciding factor you have big problems as a country.

[The Toll]

You are correct, but as long as 50% of white women in this country hate “old dead white guys” as much as the Black Panthers do, this “majority” is broken and will remain so.

White women must have their “victim” status REVOKED before any progress can be made.

[entropy12]

What is the last time you saw any democrat complaining their candidate was not acceptable?

We republicans deserve Barack Hussein Obama to screw us for 4 more years.

Keep on the in-fighting and we will have to suffer through 8 more years of Hillary.

They will appoint the next 3 or 4 SCOTUS justices and then we will screwed for 30 more years.

Great strategy napscoordinator....keep blaming the nominee who is not pure to your liking. I hope you are enjoying the job on you by Obama. I am not.

[entropy12]

Then you asked for it and deserve the job Obama is doing on you.

[chopperjc]

I am not going to disagree with your comment, but I would also point out that’s what America has always been. The great melting pot. I have always thought that is what makes us great. Freedom for all races creeds colors religion.
History shows us how different minorities were initially ostrisized than accepted. Our politics have showed those who adapt win.

[pieceofthepuzzle]

“Our politics have showed those who adapt win.”

I agree with that, and embrace wholeheartedly the ‘melting pot’. The problem is that when >90% of any group or demographic votes for the same candidate because of identity politics, you can’t adapt to that because it’s more about racism and bias than it is about policy or principles.

[pieceofthepuzzle]

Let me also clarify here that I'm not saying that all minorities, or a majority of minorities voted for Obama because they are racist. I think, however, many voted for him because of group identification. That's OK, to some extent, because I understand the need to be proud that someone rose up and achieved from your demographic. That said, there is also lots of mistrust and racial division that has been propagated by politicians and ‘activists’ who have used this type of divide and conquer approach for personal gain. We have to get beyond that.

[Tammy8]

You are so right, I just had a chat with our liberal snowbird neighbor from MA about Obama care. She is a retired pharmacist and was complaining about all the changes, insurance increases, etc. so I thought it was an opening. I brought up Obama care, not even in a bad way- just mentioned it- she jumped in and corrected me that it was NOT Obama care, it is the Affordable Health Care Act. She proceeded to lecture me that Obama had nothing to do with it; according to her Obama came up with the perfect health care plan and the solution to all our health care problems...but that is NOT what was passed according to my liberal neighbor. She further informed me that Congress and the media are against Obama and of course the horrible Republicans would not let him pass his perfect health care and we were stuck with the AHC Act that did pass. I have to say I was nearly speechless but did manage to say when all this was done the Republicans didn’t have the power to stop anything and the AHC Act was crammed down all our throats by Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid so if Obama wanted something different he could have had it. Liberal neighbor then informed me that even the Democrats in Congress are against Obama and that is why he cannot get everything fixed!!

Oh my, there is no way to reach these people- it truly is a mental illness...cult...what have you, unexplainable...

[pieceofthepuzzle]

“Oh my, there is no way to reach these people- it truly is a mental illness...cult...what have you, unexplainable...”

I'm sorry, but at that point I would have told her she was entirely inaccurate in her assessment, and then asked her why should would EVER think that some guy who went to law school, never really practiced law, worked as an adjunct assistant professor (or instructor) at a law school for awhile, and then was a community organizer would have any clue about constructing the ‘perfect’ health care plan. The fact that she jumped all over you tells you that she wasn't worried about offending you.

[OneWingedShark]

Then you asked for it and deserve the job Obama is doing on you.

Ah, yes. Because I refused to vote for a Socialist/Statist is the reason that there's a Socialist/Statist.

Barak   Mitt
Obama   Romney
  |       |
  |       |
Rev.     Fabian
Soc'lst  Soc'lst
   \     /
    \   /
     \ /
      |
      |
  Implements
  Socialism

So, yeah, how would Romney have been any better?

[JCBreckenridge]

Got no beef with Johnson’s economics. I preferred the Constitution party’s staunch prolife stances.

[Tammy8]

She didn’t really jump all over me, in fact she said all of this as if it was really upsetting to her that her hero was so outnumbered- desperation in her voice...she was nearly in tears. I have sworn that I will not talk about anything like that with her again, I fear she may have a mental breakdown or may have already had one.

It will be most interesting to follow our liberal neighbors though- they are liberal to the core on every issue except one. They are firearm owners and both enjoy shooting and believe in self protection. They are truly worried about the anti-gun climate and really aren’t sure what to think of it. This might be the beginning of their education of reality.

The husband is not so far gone on the craziness as his wife, you can talk to him. He is reasonable to talk to, doesn’t always agree but is willing to listen. His mother married a rancher after he was grown, and he did learn a little about this way of life. They have inherited his mother and step-father’s house, though the ranch was sold off years ago. That is why they visit here in the winters, he is more aware and open than she is...it will be interesting.

[pieceofthepuzzle]

I understand. She sounds like a nice person, which is what makes her vulnerable to the kumbaya connotations of the mass hypnotist in chief. Most of us want fairness and happiness all around, which is why the manipulative behavior of politicians is so repulsive. They use these emotions to prey on the rest of us. Who wants to see a poor minority child denied success and the pursuit of his/her dreams? Who wants to see some selfish evil corporate rich guy live large because he/she turned the neighborhood of some poor powerless people into a toxic waste dump? Who wants to see polar bears drown? The manipulation involved is really horrible.

[napscoordinator]

You are the problem. You accept whatever crap that the GOP puts in front of us. In 2016, you will be excited with glee over Mayor Bloomburg as our Republican Nominee. Well you can keep accepting mediocre but I will not.

[Tammy8]

I hadn’t thought of her that way, but I think you hit the nail right on the head. Very sad, she actually believes the liberal lies. She is a very nice person, well educated and successful- so strange that she would buy into all this. Most liberal women I know bought the NOW garbage and that led them down the path, I don’t think that is her issue though.

[entropy12]

For starters, there would be no tax increase on successful entrepreneurs.

There would be no push to cut military.

Obamacare would be history.

If you can’t see the difference on just those 3 issues between Obama & Romney, I am afraid you are beyond hopeless.