[MadIvan]

No. What needs to be rediscovered is Reagan's formula, which is popular conservatism. He emphasised the more popular parts of his programme (namely tax reduction and standing up the USSR) which dragged in Reagan Democrats and capped it with an optimistic view of the future. My greatest critique of the "unrealistic" wing of the Republican Party is apparently people really think that they're going to win votes with a scowl and negativity. An additional critique I bear is for those who insist on violating Reagan's 11th Commandment - "Thou shalt not speak ill of a fellow Republican."

Ivan

[xsmommy]

i consider myself eminently pragmatic and i don't see Rudy winning and i see him having more than a few strikes against him from the conservative camp. and during the PRIMARY season is when you disagree with fellow republicans, otherwise you would be foreclosed from EVER speaking negatively about an opponent from the same party, and that is just ridiculous. there are legitimate FLAWS to rudy's candidacy and all the boosterism in the world isn't going to change that. i am a BUSHBOT for heaven's sake, and have railed against unappeasables for years. i do NOT want rudy to be the candidate and nonetheless will vote for him with a gun to my head and a barfbag in hand. i beg to differ with all of the pie in the sky types who think he is our messiah. i do not see him beating hillary. she relishes the idea of going up against him. she will destroy him.

[SJackson]

My greatest critique of the "unrealistic" wing of the Republican Party is apparently people really think that they're going to win votes with a scowl and negativity.

Interesting thought. I’ve made comments on the anti-Rudys and their keywords Here Here and Here

The routine stuff, CROSSDRESSER, JULIEANNIE, ILLEGALHUGGER, RUTARDS (that’s probably his supporters), red meat to the faithful, and an interesting intellectual commentary.

Then there are the votegetters, NYISNOTAMERICA and NYTOTHEBOTTOMOFSEA, designed to alienate NYers I suppose, and LINGUINEPHALLUS, a sexual commentary on Italians I suppose.

But this thread has my favorite, thus far.

BURNNYCBURN

The antiRudys working for jihadist support I suppose. They’re right, Rudy is NOT their candidate.

As one who doesn’t support him in the primaries, there are some real morons on my side of the argument.