The Relationships Between Republicans And Conservatives (Cathryn Crawford)

Washington Dispatch ^ | October 31, 2003 | Cathryn Crawford

[Cathryn Crawford]

I've always thought the disconnect was with the social conservatives vs. those who follow the libertarian view of conservatives.

Well, there is that divide. Then there are neoconservatives and paleoconservatives. Then there are liberal Republicans...the list goes on and on.

I'm wondering if there is a baseline conservativism that Republicans must have. Are certian beliefs essential?

[jmc813]

I think if you want to join the Conservative Party, you'll have to move to England.

Or New York.

[LanPB01]

It appears to me there is only one absolutely essential belief, as it's the link that seems to bond all Freepers - feelings of nasuea and disgust at the very mention of anything Clinton.

[jmc813]

I'm wondering if there is a baseline conservativism that Republicans must have. Are certian beliefs essential?

Obviously, there is not. Look at Olympia Snowe, Arlen Specter, and most New Jersey GOP'ers for example. I think the better question would be should certain beliefs be essential.

[Hemingway's Ghost]

Interesting premise for an article. A bunch of us were just talking about this very thing beginning around the mid-60s posts here.

[BureaucratusMaximus]

Are certian beliefs essential?

No...beliefs or principles are not essential. See above. Robots don't have beliefs.

[Cathryn Crawford]

I'm glad you thought it was interesting.

I wanted to bring in more about the first and second amendment, but it would have stretched on forever in that case.

[Hemingway's Ghost]

Are certian beliefs essential?

Nope, because there's a bitter debate over what constitutes conservatism as it is. Conservatism is a reflective term; it describes nothing but a position relative to something else.

[gcruse]

political parties die when they are stagnant, and so there is constant change.

Well, the administration is Republican, but it surely isn't stagnant.
They are on the move.

Don't you wish they were moving to the right, though?  If it
weren't for Ayatollah Ashcroft, I'd say we elected a centrist,
to put it kindly. 

This thread should be a big 'un, CC.  Man
your battle station.

[ladyinred]

I'll probably move to Mexico or Costa Rica.

LOL!

[Sloth]

I've always thought the disconnect was with the social conservatives vs. those who follow the libertarian view of conservatives.

I would question that, as I am a fairly hardcore social conservative who is also a fairly hardcore small-'l' libertarian.

[Cathryn Crawford]

Well, Gary, I agree with you that Bush is more of a centrist. I realize that people will see us calling him a centrist as an "attack" (LOL), but that raises interesting issues, as well.

If people's reaction to a Republican being called a centrist is bad, then why do they elect centrists? Does that negative reaction assume that people want Republicans to be right-of-center (or strict) conservatives? Interesting.

[Dane]

I'll probably move to Mexico or Costa Rica.

Then freaking go, but please stop the whining.

[gcruse]

Bump for the philosophy that everyone holds, but no one will vote for, small "l" libertarianism.

[Cathryn Crawford]

Then freaking go, but please stop the whining.

Come on, Dane, cheer up. :-)

What is your opinion of the article?

[rdb3]

I'll probably move to Mexico or Costa Rica.

Shall I help you pack? I'd be more than happy to see you go.

[jmc813]

For once we agree.

[Dane]

Well, Gary, I agree with you that Bush is more of a centrist. I realize that people will see us calling him a centrist as an "attack" (LOL), but that raises interesting issues, as well

No you are still young, some day when you get into the real world.

To paraphrase Churchill or Lady Thatcher, the same basic quote has been attributed to both.

When you are young and not idealogical you have no heart, when you are 40 and still idealogical you have no head.

Notice everbody, I said "paraphrase".

[Hemingway's Ghost]

I wanted to bring in more about the first and second amendment, but it would have stretched on forever in that case.

You could write an entire book on the former. Certain conservatives on FR are really statists masked by social conservatism.

[Cathryn Crawford]

When you are young and not idealogical you have no heart, when you are 40 and still idealogical you have no head.

I think it's pretty funny that people around here (mistakenly) attribute beliefs to ideals instead of principles.