Posted on 12/03/2005 6:27:44 AM PST by governsleastgovernsbest
By Tony Snow
Dec 3, 2005
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- When Democrats gibber about Republicans' writhing in a culture of corruption, they're on to something -- but not what they think. The Republican Party in Washington is in trouble not because it's overrun by crooks, but because it's packed with cowards -- and has degenerated into a caricature of the party that swept to power 11 years ago promising to take on the federal bureaucracy and liberate the creative genius of American society.
The collapse stems from the simplest and most natural of causes, the survival instinct. Within months of seizing power in 1995, Republicans began backing away from Big Ideas, from tort reform to the necessary overhaul of the Social Security system. They started consulting pollsters to assay "correct" issues and positions. They played it safe -- or so they thought.
Over time, imagination-grabbing ideas melted away. Gone was the Reaganite breadth of vision, and in its place stood the musty idol of Incumbency. Republicans drew the wrong morals from the decline and fall of Newt Gingrich. They thought his boldness got him in trouble, and chose to crib plays from the Bill Clinton playbook -- tacking left, at least oratorically, so as to appease, rather than confront, their critics.
Hence, George W. Bush's "compassionate conservatism" -- a slogan that exceeded skeptics' worst expectations. That phrase, aimed at reassuring suburban white moms and queasy left-wing Republicans, became a white flag on the core issue of government size and might. Bush insiders even began boasting about "big government" conservatism -- oblivious to the fact that big government does not conserve or preserve; it crushes and digests, devouring institutions that challenge its supremacy.
Leaders in the Party of Lincoln stopped talking about people, and started talking about programs and expenditures. They justified head-snapping shifts in policy by claiming the need to take issues "off the table." The multi-trillion dollar Medicare "reform" is a case in point. It was designed less to save a system than to deny Democrats a talking point. Yet, the only things Republicans really took off the table were their moral authority and the loyalty of their partisans.
This helps explain one of the great ironies of the age. We live in what ought to be an era of Republican triumphalism. The president's one reliable bit of domestic-policy conservatism, his tax-cut agenda, has succeeded brilliantly. The most recent Commerce Department figures peg the third quarter economic growth rate at a sizzling 4.3 percent -- despite the ravages of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and the oil shocks that followed.
Republicans have won the battle over whether centralized bureaucracies can eradicate poverty, or perform social services more efficiently than private or volunteer operations. Throughout the country, the same patterns appear: Where elected officials govern with a light touch and without imposing onerous tax and regulatory burdens, prosperity flourishes -- and people flock to the scene. "progressive" states, on the other hand, are becoming empty husks, with more rigid class distinctions than in any other section of the country.
The GOP also wins big on values. Virtually every time the ACLU files a lawsuit, Democrats lose supporters. Despite these advantages, however, the GOP founders. Its Washington potentates simply refuse to embrace the party's ideals or successes (including the war). They have forgotten the most important rule of political survival: If you want to remain an incumbent for long, you don't jettison your principles. You act on them.
When House Speaker Denny Hastert broke arms to secure votes for a pork-packed highway bill, calling the legislation a "jobs bill," it was an embarrassment. When the president signed a campaign-finance bill he called unconstitutional, he seemed to lack not only conviction, but vision.
Fortunately, irate constituents roused some conservatives from their dogmatic slumbers. Young Republicans rebelled against the apostasy of their elders, especially in the matter of the federal budget, and state parties seized the initiative on everything from spending limitations to school choice.
Capitol Hill Republicans now admit their Democratic colleagues don't want peace -- they want the Alamo. So the GOP is fighting back. Hastert approved calling the bluff of anti-victory Democrats last week by demanding a floor vote on the idea of vamoosing Iraq immediately. He scored another triumph this week by restoring the good name of the National Christmas Tree.
Who knows, he may even figure out the Paradox of Incumbency. Politicians who run just to protect incumbency may save their seats, but only by destroying their party's heart and soul. If you really want to build lasting power in politics, you need to forget about mere incumbency -- and remember the principles that got you elected in the first place.
Tony Snow for President.
Who ARE these kids with the Geraldo Rivera masks?
Yes, it is. Tony Snow hits the nail on the head.
Even Rush says, when conservatives be themselves ... they win elections. Yes, there are certain areas of the country where it is a harder sell, but in general, if you talk about real conservative values, people get the message and like it, at least in the U.S.
Ronald Reagan was the son of a shoe salesman! He could deliver the message of working hard, taking care of your family on your own (but knowing that your neighbor will be there if you need it in a pinch--remember old-fashioned barn-raisings?), believing in something higher than ourselves (and not the state), all with class and humor and feeling like you could sit down to dinner and have a great time with him, because he wanted to hear what you had to say.
Maybe the world has changed too much. I sure hope not, though, because those values are what made America great.
and forget socialists in the media
Yummmm, thanks.
Ditto. Finally.
Yum ! Thanks!
OMG, liberty, PLEASE don't put our dear President in the same sentence with Chaffee, Snowe...etc. Not for a second, do I put President Bush in the same category with these people.
President Bush is a good man and, I believe, he loves our country above himself. He has so much on his plate...and, sadly, often doesn't get the support from many in his Party. He can't do it alone. If they won't help him, we need to. The President is not perfect, but, I love him because he loves America, her military and her citizens.
bttt
"Reminds me of throwing a tantrum, picking up my marbles and going home."
Exactly. You were much more kind than I. You must be practising "persuasion"---"Hearts & Minds"!!!!!!!!!!!
:-) We are in complete agreement
LOL!
I go on a rant and come back to all these new posts!?
LOL!
Wooops-- I wore out my soapbox.... guess I need a new one for Christmas!
LOL!
LOL!
that is me, tiredoflaundry, Bahbah, and Mark Levin....
really...honest....
The Republican incumbents have lost their way and they are rapidly losing the support of Republican voters. Many think that two years of a Democrat Congress may be a small price to pay to once again bring home the message of fiscal responsibility, smaller government and border security that were prime reasons these [R] politicians were swept into the majority. Well, beware all "Fat Cat" politicians, because I sense a low tide approaching that will sweep the other way.
Ebenezer Scrooge repented and mended his ways in time to elude his fate. Maybe the Spendthrifts in Washington will find their way in time to salvage their seats and their reputations.
The clock is ticking.
I get this uncontrollable urge to KICK people who vote in ANY race when they have no clue-- ESPECIALLY those that just click " incumbent".....
I SEE REEEEEED!
"I would vote for W all over again and again in 2004"
Me, three. I'd vote for him in 2008! Didn't the Dems have their FDR 3rd admin? Well ... I demand reciprocal treatment for us. Just this once. ;>)
LOL!
I would vote for that....
Let's not rewrite history. Newt in '95 had his head handed to him. Week after week in '95 the MSM dug into the conservative Contract with America and they dug into Newt. Week after week the polls got lower for Newt until he was left a neutered Newt. Conservatism and Contract were left in shambles.
Were the polls correct? Did the electorate run away from Newt and his contract? If the polls were correct, then why should any politician give a rats rear-end about conservatism?
2008 is approaching. The MSM is losing power. Talk radio and the Internet are now places where many can get unbiased information.
All you folks want to try this all over again. All you folks want to see a good conservative running for president in 2008 and a contract with America-type congressional run in 2006.
Maybe now's the time -- maybe.
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