Conservatives Should Support the President Now and in November Because…

Jewish World Review, January ^ | January 13, 2004 | Martha Zoller

[quidnunc]

…They Asked for His Kind of Leadership

You hear it in the coffee shops all over the "red areas" of the map. Everyone knows that is where the real politics is discussed in America. Conservatives are asking themselves, "What was the President thinking?" They might be talking about No Child Left Behind, or steel tariffs or the signing of many less than conservative bills.

In the coffee shops in the "blue areas," liberals don't sit around much. They are too angry and busy to stop for a while but many are thinking that President Bush is the most conservative president in years, since "oh, my God, Reagan," and he must be stopped.

Both of these assessments cannot be true and after spending years looking at politics, I took my first serious stand on a candidate in 1968 at the tender age of 9, if both sides are mad at you, you are probably on the right track. So why should conservatives and moderates support the President, now on issues and later this year at the ballot box?

-snip-

Based on the history of this President, we better not count him out till we see how things unfold. He is what conservatives asked for in a President. He cut taxes, got our economy going again and lives and breathes the safety of this country and the people in it. When it is all said and done, George W. Bush does what he believes is right for the American people and he is willing to stand on his record in November.

-snip-

[Luis Gonzalez]

"Those would be foolish ways to describe conservatism."

Nevertheless, that's the way it is defined in here way too often.

[KantianBurke]

Vote Dubya!

Because WW II vets look suspicous and need to be strip searched by Federal employees with room temperature IQ's!

[EternalVigilance]

I guess that all depends on whose definition of "conservative" you want to use.

I don't think I would be mistaken to say that your definition and mine are quite different.

If you mean the definition of conservative which embraces protectionism, isolationism, and non-interventionism as a political ideology...

I most certainly don't.

...then they are not...in fact, they have never truly been the base because all those are political ideologies which have never been embraced by the U.S. people at any level.

Do you really believe that? Your statement is demonstrably untrue. Isolationism and protectionism were the prevailing public sentiment at many points in our nation's history; most strikingly in the years just prior to WWII.

If you mean the "conservatives" who support exclusion rather than inclusion...

Those are normally nothing but liberal codewords for the use of the race pimps and the leftwing propagandists. However, I will give you the benefit of the doubt and read them in the best possible sense of the words.

The conservatives I know are Christians with a heart for people. They as a group do more for poor folks, and for immigrants, than any other group in our society...by miles and miles.

Does that mean that they then support illegal immigration, for example? Definitely not. Does their opposition to illegal immigration then violate some principle of 'inclusion' or 'exclusion' and then somehow make them jingoistic racists, as the use of such loaded terminology intimates? Not just no, but hell no!

...who see dialog with certain segments of the voters as "pandering"...

Well, then I'm guilty as charged. I think it absolutely is pandering as practiced these days by most of our cynical political class.

The truth is that 'true conservatives' have a better handle on color blindness than anyone...it is at the core of their worldview. People are people, and conservatives not only know it, but live it.

...and who raise ideology over people...

Hmmm. That is some pretty tricky rhetoric there, buddy. You could beat anyone who maintains any kind of ideological standard about the head and shoulders with it. Don't think I like your implications too much, and it raises questions, at least in my mind, about your debating methods.

...they haven't been any part of "the base" since Reagan raised the standard, and placed people ahead of ideology.

I will just add to the fact that I disagree with your definitions by saying that I also reject your view of history.

And lastly, if you define "conservatives" as they who would welcome electoral victories by Democrats in the name of advancing "conservative" principles, then I say to you that they are truly NOT the base of the Party.

That would not be the case with 99% of conservatives, and in the 1% of those who say such things, that is mostly just frustration producing intemperate words.

The base of anything must, by definition, be that which supports and stabilizes it...

Hence my initial statement: Conservatives make up the base of the GOP. Overwhelmingly.

[DeathfromBelow]

There will be myriad conservatives not voting for him this time. All the name calling aside, I'm concerned by the posting views of FReepers here often. Their definition of "Conservatives" seems more like those of Libertarian, which used to mean "Liberal" in thought and action. I don't want big government, nor intrusive government control in my life either, I think I pay more than enough taxes. But I don't support "Free Will" do it if it feels good without regard to "Tradition". I'm not a "neo-con" or a "RINO" nor a "pubbie". I am in the traditional sense a conservative, patriotic American. I'm not hyphenated, and vote to support the best candidate that has the best chance of winning to try to stave off the socialist form of life we would have under most any DemoRat Candidate. Maybe it is time to review the dictionary definitions of Conservative and Liberal to see where people really fit. Not voting for GWB is a choice, we all have them. Common Sense is something that many don't seem to have anymore. Until America can find a 3rd party candidate that is viable (ead electable). All this "I'm not giving my vote to the republicans" is wasted air. Definitions follow, from Merriam Webster online. So it is time for self examination. If the shoe fits.... might find you are in the wrong forumn. Main Entry: 1con·ser·va·tive Pronunciation: k&n-'s&r-v&-tiv Function: adjective Date: 14th century 1 : PRESERVATIVE 2 a : of or relating to a philosophy of conservatism b capitalized : of or constituting a political party professing the principles of conservatism : as (1) : of or constituting a party of the United Kingdom advocating support of established institutions (2) : PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE 3 a : tending or disposed to maintain existing views, conditions, or institutions : TRADITIONAL b : marked by moderation or caution c : marked by or relating to traditional norms of taste, elegance, style, or manners 4 : of or relating to Conservative Judaism Main Entry: con·ser·va·tism Pronunciation: k&n-'s&r-v&-"ti-z&m Function: noun Date: 1835 1 capitalized a : the principles and policies of a Conservative party b : the Conservative party 2 a : disposition in politics to preserve what is established b : a political philosophy based on tradition and social stability, stressing established institutions, and preferring gradual development to abrupt change 3 : the tendency to prefer an existing or traditional situation to change Main Entry: 2conservative Function: noun Date: 1831 1 a : an adherent or advocate of political conservatism b capitalized : a member or supporter of a conservative political party 2 a : one who adheres to traditional methods or views b : a cautious or discreet person Tradition 1 : an inherited, established, or customary pattern of thought, action, or behavior (as a religious practice or a social custom) 2 : the handing down of information, beliefs, and customs by word of mouth or by example from one generation to another without written instruction 3 : cultural continuity in social attitudes, customs, and institutions 4 : characteristic manner, method, or style Main Entry: lib·er·tar·i·an Pronunciation: "li-b&r-'ter-E-&n Function: noun Date: 1789 1 : an advocate of the doctrine of free will 2 a : a person who upholds the principles of absolute and unrestricted liberty especially of thought and action b capitalized : a member of a political party advocating libertarian principles Main Entry: civil liberty Function: noun Date: 1644 : freedom from arbitrary governmental interference (as with the right of free speech) specifically by denial of governmental power and in the U.S. especially as guaranteed by the Bill of Rights -- usually used in plural - civil libertarian noun or adjective Main Entry: lib·er·ty Pronunciation: 'li-b&r-tE Function: noun Inflected Form(s): plural -ties Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French liberté, from Latin libertat-, libertas, from liber free -- more at LIBERAL Date: 14th century 1 : the quality or state of being free: a : the power to do as one pleases b : freedom from physical restraint c : freedom from arbitrary or despotic control d : the positive enjoyment of various social, political, or economic rights and privileges e : the power of choice 2 a : a right or immunity enjoyed by prescription or by grant : PRIVILEGE b : permission especially to go freely within specified limits 3 : an action going beyond normal limits: as a : a breach of etiquette or propriety : FAMILIARITY b : RISK, CHANCE c : a violation of rules or a deviation from standard practice d : a distortion of fact 4 : a short authorized absence from naval duty usually for less than 48 hours Main Entry: 1lib·er·al Pronunciation: 'li-b(&-)r&l Function: adjective Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin liberalis suitable for a freeman, generous, from liber free; perhaps akin to Old English lEodan to grow, Greek eleutheros free Date: 14th century 1 a : of, relating to, or based on the liberal arts b archaic : of or befitting a man of free birth 2 a : marked by generosity : OPENHANDED b : given or provided in a generous and openhanded way c : AMPLE, FULL 3 obsolete : lacking moral restraint : LICENTIOUS 4 : not literal or strict : LOOSE 5 : BROAD-MINDED; especially : not bound by authoritarianism, orthodoxy, or traditional forms 6 a : of, favoring, or based upon the principles of liberalism b capitalized : of or constituting a political party advocating or associated with the principles of political liberalism; especially : of or constituting a political party in the United Kingdom associated with ideals of individual especially economic freedom, greater individual participation in government, and constitutional, political, and administrative reforms designed to secure these objectives Main Entry: li·cen·tious Pronunciation: lI-'sen(t)-sh&s Function: adjective Etymology: Latin licentiosus, from licentia Date: 1535 1 : lacking legal or moral restraints; especially : disregarding sexual restraints 2 : marked by disregard for strict rules of correctness Main Entry: lib·er·al·ism Pronunciation: 'li-b(&-)r&-"li-z&m Function: noun Date: 1819 1 : the quality or state of being liberal 2 a often capitalized : a movement in modern Protestantism emphasizing intellectual liberty and the spiritual and ethical content of Christianity b : a theory in economics emphasizing individual freedom from restraint and usually based on free competition, the self-regulating market, and the gold standard c : a political philosophy based on belief in progress, the essential goodness of the human race, and the autonomy of the individual and standing for the protection of political and civil liberties d capitalized : the principles and policies of a Liberal party

[DeathfromBelow]

and four years of slumbering means we won't have a chance to wake up. So WAKE UP!

[Protagoras]

When you try to be all things to all people in order to obtain power this is what happens.

[Leatherneck_MT]

Tell ya what pal, go mind your own business and I'll mind mine.

I've done enough watching over the last 2 years to know that the man in the whitehouse is NO conservative.

If you don't like my analysis that's just tough shit on your part.

[Leatherneck_MT]

And you are entitled to yours no matter how destructive to the cause of conservatism that it may be.

2 can play that idiotic game.

I don't know that staying home will prove a damn thing to the GOP. As far as I'm concerned at this point I really don't give a rats ass. If they want to slide to the left. Fine, they can slide to the left. I'll stay home on election day and then they can slide all they want.

I'm done with the idiots.

[Dane]

As far as I'm concerned at this point I really don't give a rats ass. If they want to slide to the left. Fine, they can slide to the left. I'll stay home on election day and then they can slide all they want.

Wow a truthful statement. You don't give a rats ass about anybody or the country.

[AmericanInTokyo]

That has GOT to be Rwanda!

[Kay Soze]

Yes The electoral was designed to remove the passions of the day and keep us in a two party system.

I am using this forum and letters to do all I can to push W back to the right!

[DeathfromBelow]

man that sucks, need to brush up on my html.

[mrustow]

if the Wizard had given you a brain, Strawman, you'd know that "the dismantling of America" is not a DU line.

Ok. I appologize. You can full credit for the stupid statement. I admit that my mind couldn't have created such and realize that only you could have such gifted insight to be able to pen such idiocy.

That is to say the “Bush shows that he is ready to dismantle America” statement is a complete wild ass claim that has no defense nor evidence…..and your little dog, too.

You stay away from Toto!

[tbpiper]

go mind your own business and I'll mind mine.

My dear Snipe, when you post an opinion, it becomes everybody's business. If you don't want input, then shut the hell up. It's really that simple :-)

If you don't like my analysis that's just tough shit on your part.

My point is that your 'analysis' is the fecal matter.

[Badray]

And you don't know WTF you are talking about.

I spent more hours trying to get Fisher elected than in any other campaign. I travelled to more locations to put rallies together for him.

Yes, Mike Fisher was the weakest candidate that I ever saw. I knew that I was fighting an uphill battle. Lots of people told me that they would vote for him but couldn't muster the energy to get anyone else to vote for him.

So don't tell me that I helped Rendell.

And just because you don't mind getting screwed by your own candidates does make you a good citizen. It only means that you are a mindless idiot.

[Badray]

Revising and extending my remarks.

I did indeed make that statement - MORE THAN A YEAR BEFORE THE ELECTION. As in 2000, where I wasn't thrilled with Bush, I couldn't imagine the horrors of an algore presidency so I worked for and voted for "W", I did the same thing with the Fisher/Rendell race. I put aside my distate for Fisher and tried to keep Rendell from winning. I think that I did more for Fisher's race than Fisher did. From the lousy campaign ads to the mealy mouthed support that he gave for gun owners, the only thing that I got from the race was sick (literally), tired, and dirty (in reputation).

Well, I'm done supporting the lesser of two evils. I've given the GOP more than enough chances to prove that they weren't just democrats with better morals. I'm not even sure of that anymore. To me, a liar and a thief is just as bad as a liar and a philanderer.

BTW, you really do need to get a life if you have nothing better to do than look up my comments from 15 months ago.

[Badray]

I absolutely stand by this portion of my statement:

He is the epitome of the cheesey, fake smiling politician who will pat you on the back only to gain a better vantage point to stab you in the back or reach into your wallet.

[Nanodik]

Perhaps you Bushbots have the answer. So tell me, after a successful reelection campaign of Dubya and with both the house and senate comfortably in the hands of the RP, where will the country go from there? You think the RP will suddenly become the party of Goldwater? How do you propose, once all this has come to pass, that we turn deficit spending into a surplus, reduce the actual size of govt, give power back to the states, and try to approach the legitimate constitution role of the federal govt?

[deport]

Yep just about as fast as the LP party is going to become the party of Goldwater..... that's assuming they ever win anything to lead from... other than just yap....