Posted on 12/18/2004 8:52:57 PM PST by 26lemoncharlie
Following the Republican landslide victories of the 1994 midterm elections, conservatives watched in amazement as Republican moderates proceeded to completely squander the ground they had gained, culminating in the defeat of Bob Dole in 96. In the aftermath of this years elections, ominous signs point towards a repeat performance.
Apparently, Republican Party operatives didnt really comprehend why, in the middle of Bill Clintons first term, they won big. And to this day, political analysts still dont seem to grasp the situation. Among conservatives, the conventional wisdom is that the newly realigned GOP Congressional majority had wrongly presumed too much of a mandate, subsequently shocking the American people with an excessively bold agenda.
In truth however, the exact opposite took place. And if the Republican Party doesnt quickly come to grips with this fact, it may find itself facing larger defeats in 06 and 08 than the Democrats just received.
By formulating the Contract with America, Newt Gingrich brilliantly highlighted the contrasts between the two parties. In presenting America with such a clear choice, he ensured that the liberalism of the Democrats would be on parade. The rest is history.
Yet in the aftermath of the elections, intense media pressure caused Gingrich and the Republicans to backtrack. Bob Doles enough is enough surrender to Clintons bloated 1995 budget sealed Doles fate in the following years presidential election. Despite Republican wins, the left still dominated.
In reality, the much-heralded Republican Revolution simply never happened. Where, for example, was a single bloated bureaucracy eliminated, or required to face even modest budget cuts at the hands of the Republicans?
Far from committing any conservative excesses, it was the abandonment of such things which disillusioned the grassroots and convinced them that business as usual still reigned supreme in Washington. Hence, they stayed home on Election Day in 96.
So, how have Republicans fared during the brief lame duck Congressional session following this years election? Initial signs are not encouraging. Rather than confronting the Democrats obstructionism, and their continued pandering to the counterculture, Republicans are once again waffling, conceding, and capitulating.
The recently passed National Security Reform Act is a prime example. Key to American security is regaining control of its borders. Amazingly, Congress decided to remove a provision from the security reform measure that would have clamped down on the ability of illegal aliens (such as the nineteen hijackers of 9-11) to obtain drivers licenses.
According to opponents of the provision, such discussion belongs in other legislation. Yet if the mass influx of undocumented foreigners isnt relevant to the security of the nation, little else is.
Beyond all of the excuses, the reality of the situation is that the Republicans in the House and Senate have no stomach to confront the illegal alien issue, for fear of media backlash. They apparently remain clueless as to the receding relevance of the mainstream media, or the fact that their acquiescence to it will cause an enormous rift with the base from whom they so recently garnered electoral victories.
On another front, Senate Minority leader Harry Reid of Nevada highlighted the tight spot in which Senate Democrats presently find themselves. Completely abandoning any pretence of bipartisan cooperation, Reid pressed forward in the footsteps of his predecessor, the recently deposed Tom Daschle of South Dakota.
On a weekend talk show, Reid sounded like the standard, cliched, liberal Democrat of the Washington insider crowd, promising obstruction and rancor, but not surprisingly accompanied by the standard liberal demands that Republicans reach across the aisle.
If a groundswell of disapproval occurs in response to his caustic diatribe, Reid, being another partisan Democrat Senator from a red state, could eventually face a fate similar to that suffered by Daschle. Fortunately for Reid, Senate Republicans may well ride in to his rescue. Fearing possible negative ramifications from altering the present senate rules that allow legislation to be stalled by a forty vote filibuster, Republicans are again showing their reluctance to play hard ball when confronted with such obstructionism.
Presently, Democrats have been using this technique to thwart the appointment of judges who would uphold the Constitution. So, conservatives are left wondering what possible ramifications could be worse than a continued decimation of the Constitution.
John Kerrys liberalism, when viewed against the backdrop of the War on Terror, provided the contrast that yielded significant Republican Congressional gains, and a victory for President Bush. If Republicans continue to erase that contrast, they will eventually erase the victory.
Comments
"In reality, the much-heralded Republican Revolution simply never happened. Where, for example, was a single bloated bureaucracy eliminated, or required to face even modest budget cuts at the hands of the Republicans? "
GOOD QUESTION
Truth
Bump for later
Holy Mother of God! Calling people racist won't work for you when they are an immigrant so you call them Godless!! Got any more tools like that in your chest? I'm registering "no party" today because if you and a handfull of others are what represents the republican party, I don't want any part of it.
What part of "no personal attacks" is it you guys don't get? And how do you keep getting away with it? If your motive is to destroy the Republican party you are doing a damn fine job of it.
Nothing is more sacred than Christ. And I mean nothing.
Clown? More name calling and personal insults. How DO some of you continue to get away with that? According to one of your like minded posters it's because you contribute to FR. Is that true? Pay your dues and break the rules....sounds like the modern republican party.
Bozo.
As I reflect at NAFTA, and GAT, and how both Mr. Perot, and Mr. Buchanan have opposed them in favor of the American workers; and both leaders were demonetized, I think that China at that time was not yet a major economic power. One decade later, now, China is a major economic power! Thanks to the Republicans, and the Democrats, China is going to exceed us soon, Clinton even gave them technologies to compete with us. What a leader!!! Ross kept saying NOT FOR SALE AT ANY PRICE! That was because "ALL" of our leaders end up working as lobbyists on behalf of other governments, and sell out American interest for consultation fees.
AS the 9/11 commission report illustrated 27 blacked out pages that demonstrated the connection between the terrorists, and the Saudi government. Henry Kissinger even excused himself from being on that commission because he is a lobbying agent of the Saudi Embassy. If the American public ever gets smart, we will scrap the concept of lobbying, and we will have to demand more political parties "REAL" participation in our lives. Voting for the lesser of two evils, (both will give away the store), but one loves Jesus, and the other not, is very wrong.
"Bozo. "
"That demonstrates, quite clearly, that you have no faith in God. "
"clown"
Mr. Moderator, clairification, please. Is name calling and insults allowed on this board or not, because I'm holding back some jewels.
Yes. What you said!
Not only are you ignorant but you don't play well either. Guess you missed all those Sunday School classes.
Here are some words from a fellow freeper that describes perfectly the situation with illegal immigration and the RINO's insistance on breaking the laws in the name of their diety....MONEY. Can you guess who wrote it?
"Apples and oranges. A violation is a violation, no matter what degree. If federalism is to be adhered to, then it must be adhered to as a principle above all else.
If it is only adhered to when it suits those who gain by upholding it, it becomes meaningless and hypocrisy. "
I agree more or less..
However, the idiot did get Clinton elected..
Along with the "Read my lips no NEW taxes", bit of vaseline to grease up the ugh.. way for the Bent One to penetrate the White House..
Great idea.
ACU Ratings for Senator Clinton:
Year 2002 10
Year 2001 12
Lifetime 11
And who is She?
And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,
And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed .
For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.
And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.
He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.
He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.
He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;
As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.
If the American public ever gets smart
That, we can safely say is off the table!
His earthly mother. That's who she is.
Recognize this? Do you stand by this statement?
"Apples and oranges. A violation is a violation, no matter what degree. If federalism is to be adhered to, then it must be adhered to as a principle above all else.
If it is only adhered to when it suits those who gain by upholding it, it becomes meaningless and hypocrisy. "
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