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Noonan: Baseless Confidence. It may take a defeat in Nov for the GOP to unlearn the lessons of power
WSJ Opinion Journal ^ | May 11, 2006 | Peggy Noonan

Posted on 05/11/2006 12:31:45 AM PDT by FairOpinion

The Republicans talk about cutting spending, but they increase it--a lot. They stand for making government smaller, but they keep making it bigger. They say they're concerned about our borders, but they're not securing them. And they seem to think we're slobs for worrying. Republicans used to be sober and tough about foreign policy, but now they're sort of romantic and full of emotionalism. They talk about cutting taxes, and they have, but the cuts are provisional, temporary. Beyond that, there's something creepy about increasing spending so much and not paying the price right away but instead rolling it over and on to our kids, and their kids.

So, the normal voter might think, maybe the Democrats. But Democrats are big spenders, Democrats are big government, Democrats will roll the cost onto our kids, and on foreign affairs they're--what? Cynical? Confused? In a constant daily cringe about how their own base will portray them? All of the above.

Where does such a voter go, and what does such a voter do? It is odd to live in the age of options, when everyone's exhausted by choice, and feel your options for securing political progress are so limited. One party has beliefs it doesn't act on. The other doesn't seem to have beliefs, only impulses.

What's a voter to do? Maybe stay home, have the neighbors over for some barbecue, and then answer the phone when a pollster calls asking for a few minutes to answer some questions. When they get to the part about whether America is on the right track or the wrong track, boy, the voter knows the answer.

(Excerpt) Read more at opinionjournal.com ...


TOPICS: Editorial
KEYWORDS: 109th; 2006; 2006election; cutoffnose; election; noonan; peggynoonan; spinelessgop
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To: bad company
Maybe I'm just simpleminded, but instead of giving up the gains we have made and turning things over to the dems, wouldn't it be a better plan to begin addressing these problem rubbies in the primaries and replace them with more conservative candidates?

Sure it would. But the chances of that happening in the GOP are roughly the same as the chances of it happening within the Democrat party.

81 posted on 05/11/2006 4:23:26 AM PDT by Sloth (Archaeologists test for intelligent design all the time.)
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To: Lurker
The question that really matters is how the voters, particularly the GOP base is going to deal with their disappointement in the folks they (read we) elected to do the things Peggy mentions in this article. Hey I know. Why don't you try dealing with the folks who have serious concerns in this regard by belittling them publicly, calling them names, and impugning their motives! That should work! L

Absolutely....I get flamed each time I attempt to discuss the elephant in the corner of the room.....or make a suggestion that it might be a good idea to stop the bleeding now....

82 posted on 05/11/2006 4:23:40 AM PDT by cbkaty (I may not always post...but I am always here......)
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To: nathanbedford
Doin' what we been doin' ain't working.

Keep posting - you're dead on target!! The definition of insanity is doing the same things over and over and expecting a different result!!

This is where conservatives find themselves today.
83 posted on 05/11/2006 4:31:47 AM PDT by DustyMoment (FloriDUH - proud inventors of pregnant/hanging chads and judicide!!)
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To: FairOpinion

Turn over what to the Democraps? They are running the show now, the timid Republican majority is afraid that someone (the MSM) might criticize them!


84 posted on 05/11/2006 4:38:26 AM PDT by leprechaun9
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To: Howlin

Outstanding pictorial. Thank you very much.


85 posted on 05/11/2006 4:41:45 AM PDT by PGalt
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To: Lurker

Because those of you who are bitching have gotten way more than you were ever promised. You are like spoiled brats in a candystore demanding more, more, more.


86 posted on 05/11/2006 4:45:38 AM PDT by ClaireSolt (.)
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To: FairOpinion

"Do we really want to hand control of Congress over to the Dems for another 40 years?"

No. We don't.

But that's exactly what is going to happen if the "GOP is fine with me, no matter what it does" crowd doesn't wake up and smell the smoke in the air.


87 posted on 05/11/2006 4:47:09 AM PDT by EEDUDE (A penny saved is......a penny Congress overlooked.)
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To: napscoordinator
What we need to do above all is (1) to pick a fight and(2) fight back.

This rope a dope strategy of the administration has driven Bush's poll numbers to 31%. On every issue we have a good case to make, so why do we fail to make any case at all?

As you say, we have 18 weeks to change course. The House and the Senate should be throwing bills into the hopper which will precipitate Democrat resistance. Let them show the world what liberals believe. Let us have that fight now while there is still time.

We barely have the time, do we have the will?


88 posted on 05/11/2006 4:48:34 AM PDT by nathanbedford (Attack, repeat, Attack..... Bull Halsey)
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To: FairOpinion
"Do we really want to hand control of Congress over to the Dems for another 40 years?"

When you look at federal spending and illegal immigration rates then as compared to now, your question becomes worthy of contemplation. It's hard to throw support behind those who have planted a knife in your back. The idea that we need to support the GOP because the Dems are worse is an insulting form of extortion.

That the GOP holds conservatives in compempt with their 'So where are they gonna go?' blackmail turns this into a matter of principle. Perhaps things do need to get worse before they get better. Perhaps we do need some political chemotherapy. The current GOP course is a terminal illness.

89 posted on 05/11/2006 4:48:41 AM PDT by dropzone
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To: ClaireSolt
Because those of you who are bitching have gotten way more than you were ever promised. You are like spoiled brats in a candystore demanding more, more, more.

Wow....a little harsh this morning aren't we?

Since when has wanting our borders secured, reducing government spending, and lowering taxes become "bitching"?

90 posted on 05/11/2006 4:48:50 AM PDT by cbkaty (I may not always post...but I am always here......)
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To: Howlin

Excellent collage, but Box O'Rocks ain't showing up. If only it would happen in reality...


91 posted on 05/11/2006 4:51:30 AM PDT by COBOL2Java (Freedom isn't free, but the men and women of the military will pay most of your share)
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To: FairOpinion

Hey peggy, just shut up, will ya?


92 posted on 05/11/2006 4:56:10 AM PDT by jmaroneps37 (John Spencer: Fighting to save America from Hillary Clinton.)
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To: nathanbedford

Well said!

But I'm sure you'll catch hell for saying it here.

There does not seem to be any room in this tent for anyone who disagrees with the insane open borders policy.

It really reminds me of lurking over at DU during the primaries in 2004. They were slitting each others throats daily.


93 posted on 05/11/2006 4:58:13 AM PDT by EEDUDE (A penny saved is......a penny Congress overlooked.)
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To: FairOpinion
Do we really want to hand control of Congress over to the Dems for another 40 years?

A lot of the folks spouting off on FR want exactly that--because they're Democrats.

The "Border Patrol Spying on the Minutemen for the Mexicans" stuff was tailor-made for their agenda. I have never heard of Ms. Sara Carter, but I intend to learn all I can about her now that she's put herself on my radar screen. Who is she? Who does she hang around with?

94 posted on 05/11/2006 4:59:15 AM PDT by BeHoldAPaleHorse ( ~()):~)>)
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To: BeHoldAPaleHorse
A lot of the folks spouting off on FR want exactly that--because they're Democrats.

I bet there are some...

I also remember that the Democrats treated their dissenters the same way pre-1994....

95 posted on 05/11/2006 5:10:19 AM PDT by cbkaty (I may not always post...but I am always here......)
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To: nathanbedford
I am in general agreement with your remarks in reply 54.

The Bush-bots (including Bush) have marginalized themselves into a likeness of the Democrats, being six of one and half-a-dozen of the other. Both are against principles, against conservatives, against our Constitution, and too easily self-corrupting in the deal-making corridors of power.

They are also oddly against our country yet for "the homeland" which is a think-tank "white paper" term that is still looking for political home, though snatched by Bush in the third quarter, in order to establish yet another federal umbrella, under which to shuffle around the federal jobs programs.

This is not "the homeland."

This is our country. This land is our land.

If outside of the country, an American might say, "That is my homeland. That is our country." Yet inside our country, to make bureaucratically-correct statements about "the homeland" as if it were some obscure definity being bounced around among professors at university, does not play well, except among Bush Administrators trying to please the boss, lest their not going along with his (indefensible surrender to) political correctness, be a bad career move.

Our neighbors whose land is on the border of our country, wet or dry, are in a unique relationship with both the President and with us. Their property line, it is our duty, and the President's personal duty, to defend.

He has not done so. To the contrary, he has refused to enforce the law.

For a landowner down on the border, to be third generation American, having descended from a family that immigrated from Mexico around 1924, and to have a son in the U.S. Marine Corps, wounded in action, and returning home to find President Bush calling this Marine's father a "vigilante," is indefensible - Bush is just plain wrong, and so are the Bush-supporters who will not stand up for our neighbors on the borders.

Yes, we must vote Republican this November, but we must not forget the treachery of the Bush-bots who plagued the Reagan Administration, not only this Bush [still running 31% of the Clinton] Administration.

96 posted on 05/11/2006 5:12:04 AM PDT by First_Salute (May God save our democratic-republican government, from a government by judiciary.)
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To: FairOpinion

Hello. I'm a libertarian who voted for Bush. From everything I've heard from liberals, libertarians and moderates I know and have read on the web, there are three main problems with Bush:

Iraq, Iraq and Iraq.

Noonan does not even discuss Iraq.

If Iraq remains essentially ignored as a serious topic in Republican/conservative circles, the Republicans will not just lose in November. It will be a massacre.


97 posted on 05/11/2006 5:17:23 AM PDT by dov12348
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To: cbkaty
I also remember that the Democrats treated their dissenters the same way pre-1994....

Keep telling yourself that if it makes you feel better.

98 posted on 05/11/2006 5:26:34 AM PDT by BeHoldAPaleHorse ( ~()):~)>)
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To: BeHoldAPaleHorse
Keep telling yourself that if it makes you feel better.

Have you lost your mind fella? Your mad...simply mad....

OK...that may be a stretch, but we can force our reps to the table. I live in a border state and this issue is HUGE.... Tell me why Bush will not address this issue immediately?

99 posted on 05/11/2006 5:28:46 AM PDT by cbkaty (I may not always post...but I am always here......)
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To: FairOpinion
Oh for the days when Peggy just thought there was "too much God" in George W. Bush's speeches.

100 posted on 05/11/2006 5:31:25 AM PDT by Liberty Valance (Where'd all the good people go?)
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