A Conservative House, Divided Against Itself, Cannot Stand

GOP USA ^ | 10-21-05 | Frank Salvato

[writer33]

O.K. If we agree that we're divided, it's because we are cracking down on conservatism. Once you're this close, you don't just give up. You keep moving the agenda forward and we're too close to give up now.

So if that means we're divided, then that means we're divided in a way because conservatives wish to forward that agenda in order to better America. Meaning the days of having an R in front of your name is no longer good enough.

[deaconjim]

The only way to defeat liberalism is to advance conservatism.

Exactly the message that we need to get across. Bush may have been a baby step, but he was a step. Let's keep making them.

[hosepipe]

[ A strong conservative candidate in 2008 (unless the Lord has other plans) will unite the party. Another RINO and hello Democratic President. But that isn't bad if we keep the majority in Congress. Otherwise, good night, and good luck. ]

Exactly.. I did notice you said another RINO.. So true, the denial on this is disgusting.. boot licking disgusting..

The odds of a non RINO candidate 2008.. is very slim..

[writer33]

I'd say after 8 years of Clinton, Bush was more than welcome. Will that do now? I'd say no.

[sittnick]

but conservatives to the Republican Party are like blacks to the Democrats.

Indeed! The difference here is that blacks might be one-quarter of the Dem electorate, but conservatives are over three-quarters of the 'pubbies.

Regionalization and realignment continue. We will have to trade in some northeastern seats (Snowe, Chafee and Collins, for starters) for the last few southern spots, and maybe some heartland seats. Hey, does anyone really miss Lowell Weicker, Bob Packwood and Jim Jeffords (as a RINO)?

[LegendHasIt]

I fully agree. For the last five years I was proud to call myself a Republican for the first time since President Reagan left office..

Now, I'm going back to just calling myself a Conservative.

[Christian4Bush]

>>If they don't believe that she is capable, they can vote her down. They have that power.<<

That would take some strong backbone and the only Republican who has that backbone was just arrested.

Point taken. In all fairness, though, he doesn't get a vote (since he's in the House).

[deaconjim]

The first step would be to make sure we have a credible, electable conservative running in the Republican primary. We can advance that cause by making sure we have real conservatives elected to our statewide GOP party offices, and to the national GOP seats at the convention. Pour our money into conservative candidates, and get out and work for them. Complaining that it's all Bush's fault not only makes us sound like Democrats, but it helps them get elected.

[CitizenUSA]

sittnick wrote: "Indeed! The difference here is that blacks might be one-quarter of the Dem electorate, but conservatives are over three-quarters of the 'pubbie."

I'm truly amazed by the widening gulf between the Republican Party's leadership and its base. I agree with you. Conservatives no doubt make up the majority of the party, but we are terribly underrepresented at the top. I knew Bush was a big-government man years ago, but many conservatives didn't agree. I heard all the excuses...he's too busy fighting a war, he's boxed in by the RINOs, he's a Christian, he's cut taxes (as if cutting taxes is all conservatives want), he's thinking the problem through before he acts, etc. Perhaps the base is finally waking up to the cold, hard reality of the situation. Our leadership, for the most part, is working against us!

[LegendHasIt]

I do give financial support to Conservative candidates... even ones from the other side of the nation.

I'm one of President Bush's strongest defenders when I think he is right, and I say so when I think he is wrong. And when I just don't know for sure what is going on, I tend to give him the benefit of the doubt.

And the next person that calls me a child because I express my dissatisfaction with a specific situation, or tells me that I can't stand up for my beliefs because a Democrat might be elected if I dare dissent on one or several particular points backed by The President or some Senator or Representative simply because they have an (R) next to their name........

[gpapa]

As for the obscene level that government spending has reached, it needs to be pointed out that Congress approves the budget, not the White House

Answer: VETO

[smoothsailing]

Answer:VETO

Better Answer:LINE ITEM VETO

[gpapa]

The Supremes already shot that down.

[Captainpaintball]

A Conservative House, Divided Against Itself, Cannot Stand

A Conservative house, that allowed liberals to eat at its foundation, does not deserve to stand!

[Godebert]

"A Conservative house, that allowed liberals to eat at its foundation, does not deserve to stand!"

You people crack me up. You so-called "conservatives" have been making excuses for Bush's mushy moderate behavior since he was elected the first time. FreeRepublic isn't exactly the Conservative "think-tank" it's supposed to be when over half of it's members support either Rudy or McLame for president in '08.

[Grut]

...it needs to stop soon. There's nothing wrong with blowing off a little steam, but a united front will be needed to win elections.

Us supporting them and them ignoring us isn't a united front, it's a giveaway of our political power. Do that and it doesn't matter if 'we' win because we've already lost.

[cynicom]

The GOP needs to merge with its brothers, the democrats, where they will feel more comfortable, have done with the damned conservatives.

[Prime Choice]

Remember Clinton (himself) was indicted and IMPEACHED. His base didn't abandon him and his wife has every intention of taking his former place in the White House.

That is because morality and decency are irrelevant to the leftists. Judging from your admonishment, I presume that you think we should emulate that sort of conduct.

And, quite frankly, it sickens me.

[Prime Choice]

Answer: VETO

I don't think Bush has vetoed anything that Congress has sent to his desk.

[Prime Choice]

I think the turning point has been three focal issues:

1. The multi-billion dollar bailout of corrupt Democrats in Louisiana,
2. The continued and increasingly fevered pitch to reward illegal aliens for breaking our laws and invading our nation, and
3. The dismissive tone taken of conservative objections following the nomination of Ms. Miers to the SCOTUS.

Those three issues by themselves did not infuriate the base; those three issues taken together and in rapid succession are what triggered this revolt.