Consort wrote:Actually, the conservative Republicans came back strong two years later in 1994, and conservatives responded by electing them to majorities in both houses of congress.
Conservatives constantly differentiate between conservatives and republicans — a base of convenience, IMO. In '92, Conservatives told the GOP "screw you" and stayed home or voted for Perot, etc. Now the GOP is looking to the center for votes and conservatives wonder why.
Then, in 1998, the Republicans started wimping out on the conservative agenda and conservatives stayed home, giving the Dems some gains in the House and Senate.
The truth is, when Republicans run as conservatives, and when they stand up for conservative values and principles, they win.
The problem with Bush as president, and the current Republican "leadership" in both houses of congress is that they seem to forget this. They are headed for a big upset if they don't start standing up for their alleged conservative principles and values.
Perhaps we Conservatives need to draft our own "Contract with Republican Leaders" and make it perfectly clear what our expectations are and also make it clear that compromising on core values will lead to electoral defeat for these psuedo-conservative, "party over principle" Republicans.
When the GOP wins, Conservatives have a chance to do their thing. When the GOP loses, Conservatives lose — big time. Staying home is not an option...it's a weakness.
Perhaps we Conservatives need to draft our own "Contract with Republican Leaders" and make it perfectly clear what our expectations are and also make it clear that compromising on core values will lead to electoral defeat for these psuedo-conservative, "party over principle" Republicans.
We can look for things to do, but a "Do it my way or I'll screw all the Republicans" dog-in-the-manger mentality is not the answer, IMO. It would only show that the Necro-Conservative death wish is still alive and well.