You couldn't be any more absolutely correct!!!
The really upsetting thing is, hedgetrimmer, is that THEY'RE HERE!!! (right here on FR!!!)
They're the ones pounding CA conservatives and especially Freepers with the self-fulfilling prophecy that conservatism cannot win in CA and must subject it'self at the very most, to incrementalism of an interminable nature to even subsist at a low level in CA's "New & Improved" GOP!!!
They are taking particular delight in the idea that we don't seem to have a champion at the moment and are determined to put down the only potential possiblity as a 13%er! (just in case McClintock should ever stick his head up again)
They do not dare allow us to criticize the big celebrity blowhard while we discuss the falicies being foisted upon Cauleeforneeyuns as somehow conservative friendly governmental policies! The conservative conversation must be "dissed" as divisive and harmful in their way of thinking! You know, it's "Be reasonable! See it my way!" (otherwise you should be cast into outer darkness)
Now that the special election is over, as well as the Recall election, the feeling of "The New Majority" is that those scary "righteous conservatives" are to be permanently marginalized and never allowed to regain Party positions that were once worked for and earned, but from which they have now been squeezed, or at best are ignored should they still hold said positions.
Third Party efforts are an exercise in futility! Only restoration of righteous conservative representation and majority restoration of a respectable Party Platform that is enforced through a democratic process will work to regain conservative influences throughout CA Republicanism as it thrived in the first half of the last decade and in the Reagan years before that.
Rodger Hedgecock, filling in for Rush Limbaugh today just said: "It is time to declare war on Republican moderates!" I would hope that war would at least start right here on FR!!!
Waspman, it's not the mudderites that are in the way this time. It's some of the cream of the main stream republican party that have chosen to step back for a while and let the muddy water pass by. Mark hasn't gotten used to the difference between Phlly and Sacto yet, or he might not have given voice to the truths he spoke. We need more than displeasure, we need a plan.
There will always be 100 shades of conservatism. From far right to left of center. Declaring war is counterproductive. Challenging the mantra of the center and center left is far more effective. Plus, there is always a chance, that after being pounded with reality, day after day, they will realize that their blind, partisan loyalty is not serving their personal interests.
I am impressed by the conduct of the calcowgirl account (CCGA). Whether the FairOpinion account, or the Tamsey account, or the GrandpaDave account, the approach is always the same. The CCGA patiently waits until these partisans have had their say. Then the CCGA presents sourced facts and quotes, which differ greatly from the mantra just presented and asks for a reasoned response. After a sufficient time without a reply, the CCGA then politely asks the partisans to put up or shut up. They always shut up.
Republican Party loyalists, especially those from the center on a conservative forum, are at times a real pain in the everyone's side, but always remember:
Treat all with respect but be kind to Republicans for they have the greatest potential to become conservatives.