"This is an inside the Beltway column. A wake-up call if you will."
Published in a nationally syndicated column? I think Peggy has more direct means of addressing inside the beltway folks.
"Can you deny that as a class in these Republicans have become deaf to their conservative constituents?"
You said the key word here. "Constituents." Congress people serve their constituents. All of them. Like it or not, conservatives do not form a majority. They can't even form a party. That is a sad fact, but true. The closest thing to a conservative party is the republican party. But do you think JD Hayworth could when a race in Maine? And do you think Olympia Snow could win an election in Arizona? If congressmen served only their conservative constituents, they would be serving a minority of their constituents, and that is NOT how our system works.
"I for one believe that Bush and our elected representatives have presumed too much on the base"
I believe you over estimate your position as "the base". "The base" of the Republican Party is not right wing conservative (near Libertarian) voters. If it is, than the Republican Party has the most fickle base on the planet, because every election, it is those voters that stomp their feet and threaten not to vote unless their favorite issue is handled as they want it to be handled. To give an anology, Rush Limbaugh represents the base. Micheal Savage does not.
"I think the difference between us is that I believe the only way to save the party is the frankly discuss these issues"
I agree with that. But I completely disagree with Noonans contention that to loss the House or Senate would be helpful. That is defeatist. It is surrender.
I agree with that. But I completely disagree with Noonans contention that to loss the House or Senate would be helpful. That is defeatist. It is surrender. And I agree with that. The following paragraph, if we take her seriously, seems to advocate staying home on election day. You are right, worse advice could not be offered. If the conservative base does not come out in the areas where they can tip the balance, the game can be lost and lost for a generation. Add the illegal immigrant vote which will be incorporated as soon as an activist judge or a liberal congress or legislature get their way, and the system will be skewered beyond redemption.
Here is Peggy's ill considered suggestion:
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.
