[Phsstpok]

I think McCain’s ceiling is a bit higher this time around because there wasn’t an established opponent for non McCain voters to rally around. That candidate will be emerging shortly.

Fred was right, we are currently fighting for the soul of the Republican party.  The folks in charge now, regardless of what they were when they started, are not Conservatives.  They're in it for their own careers, their own power and perks, not because they're part of a movement.  The gang of 14 and Shamnesty seem like good ideas because they offer them the best chance of keeping their own jobs.  They're not Ronald Reagan Republicans.  They're Bob Michael Republicans.  They want to pick people who will keep them in their cushy positions, whether the candidates they choose will have a chance of winning or not.

We need new leadership and that must come with a complete sweep of the old, all the way from top to bottom.  Fred might or might not have done that, but he would have at least tried to force the ones there now to either toe the line or leave.  That made them uncomfortable and they actively worked against him.  He never came, hat in hand, asking them for their blessing for his campaign and his themes certainly didn't line up with their "go along to get along" philosophy.  If Mitt gets the nomination he'll sweep out the old people in the GOP and put in people who are beholding to him, simply based on self interest and the natural practice of his business speciality.  Since he's the last chance for a good outcome in this regard for the party and the country we have to either get behind him, and hope that we can at least influence who those people are and the direction they'll take the party (win or lose), or we have to walk away this cycle, take what comes as our medicine, and begin building RIGHT NOW for the future.  And we have to start that at the grass roots level, at the county and state party level.

We get the party we deserve, based on how much we've done in working on it.

(that's more than I've posted in a month!) 

going back to lurk mode 

[Andy from Chapel Hill]

I miss Fred.

[Gritty]

re your Post #138...

Well said. That's a "keeper"!

This election is not only for the soul of the Republican Party but for the soul of America. We need to win both contests.

[rodguy911]

Great stuff “P”! Good to hear from you. Needless to say we miss you input and hope all is well on the home front.

[snugs]

Good to see you - how are things?

[altura]

Good to see you. Your comments have been missed. Is there an update on your father?

[PerConPat]

... we are currently fighting for the soul of the Republican party. The folks in charge now, regardless of what they were when they started, are not Conservatives.

Regardless of the final outcome of the Pub Convention, this is and will remain the heart of the matter. Increasingly, for me, the dilemma of which GOP candidate is better on this or that issue is fast being overtaken by the question of just what has this party become?

Hunter's message was clear and Fred's was acceptable. However, Hunter's recent support for Huckabee and Fred's collapse have led me to the conclusion that we Pubs are badly rent.

While leaning toward Romney now, after seeing my fist two choices bite the dust, I'm not liking it all that much. My interest is beginning to center around waiting for the 2008 platform and hearing what the nominee has to say. My absolute disgust for the Dims could possibly rally me to vote for even McCain when I'm in the ballot booth staring into the abyss of a Rat presidency. But something has to give, and I don't think I will be able to resist working for the creation of a viable Conservative party if this election serves up a choice between what turns out to be Dim and Dim-lite.

It was depressing today to watch Brit on FNS having to defend Romney from that fop, Wallace. I was instantly reminded of the great Peggy Lee tune, Is That All There Is?.