Replies

"I think many in his circle has been taken by surprise at the strong feelings against ii."

Good, then they'll learn. You are right that Rush sometimes fence-sits on certain issues, but I think he's caught on about this one; at least I hope he has. Rush's problem is that he has gotten too cozy with the Bush Admin, at least certain members of it, and they use him as a conduit to get certain issues out. This is fine, as long as Rush tries to maintain some objectivity and remembers that he is a conservative first, and a Pub second. It will be interesting to see what he says tomorrow. I'll be sure to listen.

Hope he doesn't disappoint me and his other conservative listeners by spouting the Party line or trying to cover for Bush and his speech. He'll probably try to split the difference, saying some parts are good, others bad. Which again, would be somewhat of a cop out actually. The good news is that Rush owned up to being blasted while in CA. An eye opener for him, and that's good. Will bring him back to reality. Always does when you get back out amongst the grassroots.

Great observations. He is cozy, and fence-sits on many issues. Sometimes it seems he gets his program notes/marching orders from the WH each day. I think Rush has lost his past appeal to many including me. I listen daily, but find myself agreeing with him much less than when he appeared independent of the WH. Again, much of it has to do with the required nature of his security. He has forgotten what it's like to be a grassroots conservative, instead of his very limited elite circle.

This is fine, as long as Rush tries to maintain some objectivity and remembers that he is a conservative first, and a Pub second. What does it mean to be a conservative first and a Republican second? Exactly how useful is it to be a conservative outside the Republican Party? Of course, principle is essential in making political judgments. But taking principle outside political organization so as to lose influence and government authority to the opposition is irrational, IMO. Doing so gave some people the thrill of voting for Perot and eight years of Bill Clinton as president. Conservative views must win by persuasion and, when necessary, by compromise. We have too much yet to accomplish, and we are so close to success, that we should not be too quick to pull it all down because we do not prevail entirely on one particular issue.