Why preach to the choir?
We're trying to bring more folks to the table, and trotting out the base isn't going to do it. It will confirm the stereotype the liberals and the press have of Republicans. Why should we help them?
So, in your opinion, conservatism lacks the ability to "bring folks to the table"?
Sick of the whining.
Rush was whining about this the other day.
We are a big party that needs every vote and I for one am so proud of Zell Miller's appearance at our party. Why in the world would anyone be insulting him as some have???????????
Because the choir is uncertain as to whether George Bush still wants to be a member.
Its about giving a little representation to the values of the vast majority of people who will wind up voting GOP on election day. I'm not saying to get rid of the ones already slated to appear, but instead to simply make time for a full conservative.
Also, the media will attack it no matter what. If it were conservative-heavy, then it would be a shrill, mean-spirited, divisive, anti-diversity, gathering of rightwing extremists. If the moderate-liberals dominate as scheduled now, then it will be a disingenuous representation of the party; a cynical attempt to place a nice face on what is really a shrill, mean-spirited, divisive, anti-civil rights, anti-gay, wacko party of Christian extremists.
Well. The solution to being defined by liberals is, of course, to accept their definition?
No. The solution is to attack.
Exactly. The unfortunate truth is that when Joe Voter hears "socially conservative Republican", he thinks "Pat Buchanan".
If you only allow the minority opinion to be shown (and you admit this because you refer to Conservatives as "the base"), how do you then say that Conservatives are the heart of the Party?
If you marginalize the base, what does that say about your plans for the Party?
Why do you feel that "It will confirm the stereotype the liberals and the press have of Republicans"? Aren't you then "preaching" to the squish-moderates, who change direction more often than a windsock?
Couldn't you make the argument that showing a strong Conservative base would woo others who feel "disenfranchised" as EVERYONE is trying to woo the squish-moderates?
Aren't Conservatives on BOTH sides basically the "house-N's" of the Parties, as they are told to shut up and take it, and only are allowed any voice when it comes time to fleece the flock for campaign $$$...then it's right back to shut up and hide?
If Conservatives are the base, why try to pretend that the Party is something it is not...or are you pretending that Conservatives ARE the base, when they are not?