made my strongest such claim in a Village Voice article two weeks ago in which I, after much thought, chose to say conservatism was "verging on becoming an un-American creed" for the widespread way conservatives are ignoring the lessons of James Madison's great insights in Federalist 51 that in America we are supposed to place our ultimate trust in laws, not men.
Mr Perstein:
Two part question:
1. What examples can you site of conservatives doing what you claim above?
2. Is it your claim that liberals do not engage in this behavior?
Thank you...
----
1. Did you read the article? Read "Church of Bush" and you'll find my cites.
2. There is a specific warning in Fed 51: that charismatic leaders will seek to change the institutions of government to favor themselves. Yes, I think conservatives do this more egregiously. Tip O'Neill once kept a congressional vote open for 15 minutes to twist arms, and that was not kosher. By contrast, Tom DeLay and Hastert kept the medicare vote open for THREE HOURS, and threatened a congressman that they would destroy his son's congressional campaign if he did not vote that way. Yes, politics is a tough game. But Republicans have recently been stretching their indecency beyond bounds.
RP
This is true of all politicians, even the one's without charisma. It's also why the Government is set up with checks and balances.
Yes, I think conservatives do this more egregiously.
You think, which is your right, but that doesn't mean it is so.
Tip O'Neill once kept a congressional vote open for 15 minutes to twist arms, and that was not kosher. By contrast, Tom DeLay and Hastert kept the medicare vote open for THREE HOURS, and threatened a congressman that they would destroy his son's congressional campaign if he did not vote that way.
I'm unaware of the DeLay example you state, but even if it is as you say, that's one example. And I would argue that it was equally wrong of Tip O'Neill. Wrong behavior is wrong behavior. You seem to think that some wrong behavior can be excused by applying degrees.
Yes, politics is a tough game. But Republicans have recently been stretching their indecency beyond bounds.
I would state that it is the Democrats who are stretching the bounds. Claiming on the Senate floor that "Bush Knew" about 9/11? Please...
Regarding voting practices, Mr. Perlstein:
Two words:
Jack Ryan.
Do not even try to suggest that getting him out of the way was not a campaign strategy. Why WERE his divorce proceedings made public, then, when Kerry's aren't? Yes, the financial ones?
You keep citing The Federalist . You claim to be a Conservative . Why would you be associated with The Village Voice for goodness sakes ?
Frankly I find it odd to say the least .
I get a little lost when the referenced topic is to "Republicans/conservatives" in a FR discussion, but when the questions are specific, they relate to the Republican/Democrat leadership in the House (or Senate). Is the discussion about grassroots Republicans/Democrats or the parties' leaders?
As to conservatives abandoning principle in their support of President Bush ... it's hard to find a position he's taken, ie., education and immigration, where he's not been criticized by FReepers and other grassroots Republicans. However, from a conservative perspective, the alternate is several degrees beyond acceptable. WOuld President Bush govern differently with a Senate composed of 60+ Republicans? Sure! However, that is not the hand he was dealt .. he cannot nominate his conservative preferences to the federal bench and anticipate their being approved, thanks to the new Daschle Rules on Filibuster and Cloture. Most FReepers understand that. Therefore, I don't think they are sacrificing their principles in supporting President Bush. Conservatives in the main understand we're better taking two steps forward rather than ten backwards.
You really are all talk, no substantive arguments. You had an open forum to sway us to your beliefs, and you've failed miserably. All you do, ad nausea, is cut and paste, and link. Do you have any original thoughts? Can you answer the questions presented without referring to some article you've wrote months ago? Or are you just trying to gin up hits to your web site?