Here is the latest issue of "Republican Leadership Weekly."
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.
I think that Tony, and Britt are the best. I don't get to see enough of Tony since he left the Sunday program.
Yep, you're right Tony. I'm one of those young rebel republicans you speak of.
Wow! Take the gloves off more often, Tony!
Thanks, Tony, for saying so well what needed to be said. I've blasted this link to everyone I know.
'...written NRSC and NRCC...'
good for you. I called Ken Mehlman to suggest he get the Senators to realize the money will dry up if things continue as they are. I've emailed individual Senators too...sadly, even those I've admired, like George Allen. I will no longer contribute until Senators, especially, begin to stand up for the reasons we elected them.
George Allen was my biggest disappointment. I don't live in his state but I've contributed several times to his Senatorial campaigns. I thought of him as a potential candidate for 2008. I called his office to let him know how disappointed I was that he voted for Warner's Iraq resolution and to say I would send no more money. I did get a 2 page email from his aide but, didn't really answer my concerns. Just got a mailing from him...returned it w/o $ but with note saying I'll reconsider giving when he stands up and supports the President.
Sounds like a Rush mantra, he's been making comments like this for years. The more conservatives that pile on the bandwagon, the better off especially with an election cycle coming up.
Pretty much right on target.
Also, under the Republican watch we got, with no perceptible objections, Campaign Finance Reform, Eminent Domain, and rulings that Interstate Commerce gives Congress nearly unlimited power. If those things didn't make it clear that Republicans care little for free speech, property rights and limited government, nothing will.
At least those things give me the perfect response to the next fundraising call from the Republican whatever it is that calls me.
A Hallelujah Chorus please!!!!
' the base'. that's exactly what I told Ken Mehlman's office....don't be fooled by the MSM and their manipulated polls. Listen to the American people....they are the true base for the President and the Repub party.
Tony Snow ping!
Here is the latest issue of "Republican Leadership Weekly."
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.
The problem is worse than we think. Bush lost me over the summer with promising to rebuild NOLA, etc. but the final straw was when he chastised Bill Bennett over what Bush thought was political incorrectness. Bush is capable of speaking out and responding to perceived attacks. He just picks the wrong side.
Our Repubics in the Senate tolerate the likes of Turban Durbin.
Our congress is spending us into the ground. Just the other day I received a letter from my congressman congratulating himself on congress' removal of the $223M "bridge to nowhere". But what he forgot to tell me was that AK is still getting the money.
Republicans are not leading. They thing we're stupid. And we have no place else to go.
I'm so frustrated that I might do something next year that I've never done in my life: vote against every incumbent Republican.
'..contribute to campaigns of conservative Republicans..'
agree. I will donate even if they're not from my State. We, the people, must stand for all of America...and if sending money to an out of state conservative will help ouster someone like Chaffee, it's money very well spent.
BINGO!
Thanks for the ping, Bay....
TONY IS SPOT ON!!!!
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