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How did GOP right get it so wrong? (Dick Armey editorial)
Houston Chronicle ^ | 11-4-06 | Dick Armey

Posted on 11/05/2006 10:30:35 AM PST by Hydroshock

Somewhere along the road to a "permanent majority," the Republican Revolution of 1994 went off track. For several years, we had confidence in our convictions and trusted that the American people would reward our efforts. And they did.

But today, my Republican friends in Congress stand on the precipice of an electoral rout. Even the best-case scenarios suggest wafer-thin majorities and a legislative agenda in disarray. With eight days before the election, House speaker-in-waiting Nancy Pelosi has already begun her transition planning.

Where did the revolution go astray? How did we go from the big ideas and vision of 1994 to the cheap political point-scoring on meaningless wedge issues of today — from passing welfare reform and limited government to banning horsemeat and same-sex marriage?

The answer is simple: Republican lawmakers forgot the party's principles, became enamored with power and position, and began putting politics over policy. Now, the Democrats are reaping the rewards of our neglect — and we have no one to blame but ourselves.

In 1989, Newt Gingrich rose to the number twoNo. 2 leadership position in the House after a contentious three-way race pitting young backbench conservatives such as myself, Bob Walker, Joe Barton and others against old bulls such as Minority Leader Bob Michel and other ranking members. We thought they suffered from a minority party mindset and were too accommodating of the Democrats. Out of congressional power for nearly two generations, Republicans had become complacent. Senior members of the party were happy to accept the crumbs afforded by Democratic chairmen. Life was comfortable in the minority as long as you did not rock the boat. Members received their perks — such as travel abroad and special banking privileges — and enough pork projects for re-election.

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


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Editorial; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: bullshirt; demoralization; dickarmey; votesuppression
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To: ExcursionGuy84

I would say that it's certainly a conservative position to oppose same-sex marriage, but it's a questionable position to support the federal government making the decision for the states. That's ultimately the fundamental problem with the Republican Party in recent years: Abandoning the core State Rights principle that had guided conservatism since the founding of the Republic. Instead of the GOP using its control of government to devolve power back to the States, which was the central priority since the New Deal and the whole reason for the 1994 Republican Revolution, the GOP has expanded and intensified the centralization of power to the Federal government.

That's why Republicans will lose in two days. I don't say conservatives because conservatives have already been routed in Washington. The question is whether conservatism might be resurrected.


61 posted on 11/05/2006 11:28:50 AM PST by AntiGuv (o) ™ (o)
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To: Hydroshock

The DICK wants to get himself a job in the MSM just like Joe Scarborough!

THE DICK is a self promoter and does not care about helping the GOP OR CONSERVATIVES!


62 posted on 11/05/2006 11:30:05 AM PST by petkus
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To: MNJohnnie

Yep, President Bush and the GOP have accomplished a lot!


63 posted on 11/05/2006 11:30:05 AM PST by 1035rep
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To: AntiGuv

I'm not convinced the Republicans will lose. I am convinced that the races shouldn't even be close. If true conservatism had been implemented by Congress and the White House over the last six years we wouldn't be where we are today, with fingers, toes, legs, arms and eyes crossed, hoping for a break on Tuesday.

Isn't it amazing how core principles become so crystal clear in the week before the election? It's the years after one, that I am disgruntled about.


64 posted on 11/05/2006 11:34:48 AM PST by DoughtyOne (Victory will never be achieved while defining Conservatism downward, and forsaking it's heritage.)
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To: Cricket24
I agree with you BUT he is right to some extent. I only wish he had kept his BIG mouth SHUT until AFTER the election.

EXACTLY!!!

It's one thing to engage in Monday morning quarterbacking and offer a fair critique of the election results and what may or may not have led up to them. But to spout off like this BEFORE the election tells me ole' DICK may have some alterior motives. If he truly was concerned he would be helping, not deliberately hurting the cause.

Hey DICK--STFU!!!!
65 posted on 11/05/2006 11:36:38 AM PST by rottndog (WOOF!!!)
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To: Vaquero

I particularly appreciate Mr.Army writing this just days before the election. I guess it is payback because his son did not win the Republican primary in 2004.


66 posted on 11/05/2006 11:39:10 AM PST by Texas Songwriter
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To: HitmanLV
Gibbons will win. I don't think many people bought the cocktail waitress's story, and the video doesn't support her claim at all.

This sounds like a line off the Saturday Night News update. It strikes me funny because I don't know this story at all ;)

67 posted on 11/05/2006 11:42:15 AM PST by lawnguy (Give me some of your tots!!!)
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To: Hydroshock

Armey is part of the Open Borders Crowd.


68 posted on 11/05/2006 11:42:16 AM PST by BnBlFlag (Deo Vindice/Semper Fidelis "Ya gotta saddle up your boys; Ya gotta draw a hard line")
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To: Hydroshock

I understand why folks are questioning the timing of Armey's editorial, but certainly no one can question the accuracy of it. The GOP had a fantastic chance to demonstrate the effectiveness of governing by conservative principles, but instead it squandered its opportunity to do so. The chance we had may never come again - and if it does it may be decades. How very disappointing.


69 posted on 11/05/2006 11:47:04 AM PST by NittanyLion
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To: Hydroshock
Calling them "thugs" and "bullies" in recent interviews, Armey says that "Dobson and his gang" have split the conservative Christian movement into two camps: those who want to "practice their faith independent of heavy-handed government" and "big government sympathizers who want to impose their version of 'righteousness' on others."

Dobson responded this week that Armey is "a very bitter man" who is still smarting because "I supported my close friend and hunting buddy, Rep. Steve Largent over Armey for majority leader.” Dobson denied that he supports big government and cited news media reports that Armey has been consulting for the American Civil Liberties Union.

70 posted on 11/05/2006 11:48:11 AM PST by kcvl
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To: AntiGuv; ExcursionGuy84
I would say that it's certainly a conservative position to oppose same-sex marriage, but it's a questionable position to support the federal government making the decision for the states.

AntiGuv you are clearly ignorant... States ratify Amendments... You need to read the Constitution...

Article V.

The Congress, whenever two thirds of both houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose amendments to this Constitution, or, on the application of the legislatures of two thirds of the several states, shall call a convention for proposing amendments, which, in either case, shall be valid to all intents and purposes, as part of this Constitution, when ratified by the legislatures of three fourths of the several states, or by conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other mode of ratification may be proposed by the Congress...

71 posted on 11/05/2006 11:48:33 AM PST by Sir Francis Dashwood (LET'S ROLL!)
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To: AntiGuv; ExcursionGuy84
I would say that it's certainly a conservative position to oppose same-sex marriage, but it's a questionable position to support the federal government making the decision for the states.

AntiGuv you are clearly ignorant... States ratify Amendments... You need to read the Constitution...

Article V.

The Congress, whenever two thirds of both houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose amendments to this Constitution, or, on the application of the legislatures of two thirds of the several states, shall call a convention for proposing amendments, which, in either case, shall be valid to all intents and purposes, as part of this Constitution, when ratified by the legislatures of three fourths of the several states, or by conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other mode of ratification may be proposed by the Congress...

72 posted on 11/05/2006 11:48:34 AM PST by Sir Francis Dashwood (LET'S ROLL!)
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To: NittanyLion
The chance we had may never come again - and if it does it may be decades. How very disappointing.

I don't know about that. It was inevitable that at some point the Dems would win the house back. What is so disappointing is how the Repubs (leadership in particular) have bent over backwards to help out their cause. If the Dems do win on Tuesday, it will be an excellent time to flush the Republican leadership and get back to conservative principals.

And, OBTW, STFU, DICK!
73 posted on 11/05/2006 11:51:21 AM PST by rottndog (WOOF!!!)
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To: Sir Francis Dashwood

I'll just quickly acknowledge that I read your inane reply and add that I can't be bothered with you. Have a nice day!


74 posted on 11/05/2006 11:54:49 AM PST by AntiGuv (o) ™ (o)
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To: sgtbono2002

Agreed.


75 posted on 11/05/2006 11:57:35 AM PST by Hydroshock ( (Proverbs 22:7). The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.)
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To: NittanyLion

Couldn't agree more... Thanks.


76 posted on 11/05/2006 11:58:58 AM PST by DoughtyOne (Victory will never be achieved while defining Conservatism downward, and forsaking it's heritage.)
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To: AntiGuv
I can't be bothered with you.

The facts are what you can't be bothered with.

77 posted on 11/05/2006 12:00:45 PM PST by Sir Francis Dashwood (LET'S ROLL!)
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To: HitmanLV

Today, it sounds like the waitress story has fizzled. But it did get lots of play in Vegas. I am still concerned for Heller though. Derby's attack ads are running 3 to 1 here in Reno. Wednesday we will know!


78 posted on 11/05/2006 12:04:10 PM PST by mad_as_he$$ (Never corner anything meaner than you. NSDQ)
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To: Hydroshock

I have really had enough of this guy.


79 posted on 11/05/2006 12:08:09 PM PST by doug from upland
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To: Hydroshock

Hey Dick, don't go away mad. Just go away.


80 posted on 11/05/2006 12:08:46 PM PST by Crawdad (Is this thing on?)
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