Posted on 02/22/2008 5:48:40 AM PST by Kaslin
Updated: 9:46 PM 02/21/08 Obama Scores, Clinton Flops on Copy Cat Spat Updated: 9:16 PM 02/21/08 Notes on Obama's Immigration Debate Talk Updated: 8:40 PM 02/21/08 <a href="http://ads.townhall.com/accipiter/adclick/CID=00014ba3d8d6daef00000000/site=TOWNHALL/area=TownHall.Web.Columnists.DouglasMacKinnon/POSITION=TOWN_SKY/AAMGEOIP=68.112.78.1"> <img src="http://media.salemwebnetwork.com/creative/MortgageMinuteAdSkycalcsky.swf" alt="" width="160" height="600" border="0"> </a> GOP to Conservatives: Drop Dead By Douglas MacKinnon Friday, February 22, 2008
As with small children, many of the entrenched, beholden, or power-hungry hierarchy of the Republican party, simply wish conservatives could be seen, but never heard.
In a very telling headline, The Washington Times recently reported, “McCain Refuses to Pander.” In the first paragraph of the article, the paper said, “John McCain's campaign manager yesterday said the candidate will not pander for conservative support…” Yeah, we know. Message received.
For those conservatives or talk radio hosts who still don’t get it, or who are still not prepared to compromise their principles for the party, then some elder statesmen have some names they’d like to call you. Chase Untermeyer, the former high level official for Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, and the current president, said in a recent column, “At both the national and local levels, there are those who declare that certain Republican elected officials are insufficiently conservative and must be purged. Senator John McCain is getting the worst of these blasts right now, with some self-appointed tribunes of Reagan’s legacy saying they might even prefer Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama – scarcely followers of the Gipper – to McCain.”
For those conservatives who admire President Reagan but would dare question the record of McCain, Mr. Untermeyer, labeled each a “SQUIRREL.” As in “Snarky Quibbler who Undermines and Ignores Ronald Reagan’s Enduring Legacy.”
“Snarky.” I guess if you went to Harvard, called yourself “Chase” instead of Charles, and mingled with the elites of the world, then “Snarky” is a name you might assign to conservatives who have an honest disagreement with John McCain. If you’re someone like me, who grew up in poverty, barely got an education, and never met an Ivory Tower elite worth a warm bucket of spit, then you might substitute the word “ethical” for snarky.
When I first came to Washington, I had the honor to work in the White House as a low-level writer for Ronald Reagan. While certainly lacking the pedigree of Mr. Untermeyer, I did share one or two special moments with that President. In a conversation that Peggy Noonan was kind enough to chronicle in her bestselling book entitled “When Character Was King,” President Reagan and I spoke in the Oval Office about the alcoholism of our fathers, poverty, and the cruelty of life. It was actually because of Ronald Reagan’s wisdom, kindness, and suggestion, that I was able to reach out to my estranged father.
Understanding that, I’m more than proud to plead guilty to using Ronald Reagan as the template for true conservatism. As such, I just don’t think there is any way that anyone can accurately equate Reagan’s conservative legacy with McCain’s moderate voting record. Does saying that make me a bad person? Am I now an Untermeyer “Squirrel?”
The thought of voting for Clinton or Obama makes me nauseous. We are a nation at war with Islamists who mean to exterminate us. To vote for Clinton or Obama is to vote for the authority to wave the flag of appeasement or surrender. I have no intention of voting for the next Neville Chamberlain.
John McCain is a good person. I do believe he has the best interests of our nation at heart. That said, as an American, it’s my right to disagree with him on substance. John McCain heroically fought and sacrificed to give me that right, and for that, I am forever grateful. On issues such as immigration, taxes, judges, global warming, drilling in Anwar, and the detention and prosecution of enemy combatants, I take issue with some of his past comments, votes, or current positions.
Unfortunately, the message I’m getting from the Republican establishment is that conservatives should bite their tongues, do their duty, and await the crumbs that may come their way in a McCain administration. Is that what it’s come to? Party loyalty before principle?
In endorsing McCain the other day, former President George H.W. Bush said, “…no one is better prepared to lead our nation at these trying times than Senator John McCain.” Really? No one? Does this incredibly decent former president truly believe that McCain is better prepared to lead this nation than say, his own son, Jeb? Or Mitt Romney?
In his endorsement, the former president also said, “…I believe now is the time for me to help John in his effort to start building the broad-based coalition it will take for our conservative values to carry the White House this fall.”
“Conservative values.” That’s all this election is about for millions of Americans who choose to put country before party. As such, they are entitled to have McCain further define or clarify his “conservative values.” He needs to earn their vote.
Like Untermeyer, former President Bush questioned those on the right who question McCain. He called such criticism “grossly unfair” and an “unfair attack.”
If some in the party succeed in quashing the conservative voice, then they will have silenced the conscience of America. Surely, John McCain will stand shoulder to shoulder with conservatives to prevent such an outcome.
Douglas MacKinnon is a former White House and Pentagon official and author of the forthcoming novel, The Apocalypse Directive.
Be the first to read Douglas MacKinnon's column. Sign up today and receive Townhall.com delivered each morning to your inbox. GOP to Conservatives: Drop Dead By Douglas MacKinnon Friday, February 22, 2008 Send an email to Douglas MacKinnon Email It Print It Take Action Read Article & Comments (27) Trackbacks Post Your Comments
As with small children, many of the entrenched, beholden, or power-hungry hierarchy of the Republican party, simply wish conservatives could be seen, but never heard.
In a very telling headline, The Washington Times recently reported, “McCain Refuses to Pander.” In the first paragraph of the article, the paper said, “John McCain's campaign manager yesterday said the candidate will not pander for conservative support…” Yeah, we know. Message received.
For those conservatives or talk radio hosts who still don’t get it, or who are still not prepared to compromise their principles for the party, then some elder statesmen have some names they’d like to call you. Chase Untermeyer, the former high level official for Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, and the current president, said in a recent column, “At both the national and local levels, there are those who declare that certain Republican elected officials are insufficiently conservative and must be purged. Senator John McCain is getting the worst of these blasts right now, with some self-appointed tribunes of Reagan’s legacy saying they might even prefer Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama – scarcely followers of the Gipper – to McCain.”
For those conservatives who admire President Reagan but would dare question the record of McCain, Mr. Untermeyer, labeled each a “SQUIRREL.” As in “Snarky Quibbler who Undermines and Ignores Ronald Reagan’s Enduring Legacy.”
“Snarky.” I guess if you went to Harvard, called yourself “Chase” instead of Charles, and mingled with the elites of the world, then “Snarky” is a name you might assign to conservatives who have an honest disagreement with John McCain. If you’re someone like me, who grew up in poverty, barely got an education, and never met an Ivory Tower elite worth a warm bucket of spit, then you might substitute the word “ethical” for snarky.
When I first came to Washington, I had the honor to work in the White House as a low-level writer for Ronald Reagan. While certainly lacking the pedigree of Mr. Untermeyer, I did share one or two special moments with that President. In a conversation that Peggy Noonan was kind enough to chronicle in her bestselling book entitled “When Character Was King,” President Reagan and I spoke in the Oval Office about the alcoholism of our fathers, poverty, and the cruelty of life. It was actually because of Ronald Reagan’s wisdom, kindness, and suggestion, that I was able to reach out to my estranged father.
Understanding that, I’m more than proud to plead guilty to using Ronald Reagan as the template for true conservatism. As such, I just don’t think there is any way that anyone can accurately equate Reagan’s conservative legacy with McCain’s moderate voting record. Does saying that make me a bad person? Am I now an Untermeyer “Squirrel?”
The thought of voting for Clinton or Obama makes me nauseous. We are a nation at war with Islamists who mean to exterminate us. To vote for Clinton or Obama is to vote for the authority to wave the flag of appeasement or surrender. I have no intention of voting for the next Neville Chamberlain.
ohn McCain is a good person. I do believe he has the best interests of our nation at heart. That said, as an American, it’s my right to disagree with him on substance. John McCain heroically fought and sacrificed to give me that right, and for that, I am forever grateful. On issues such as immigration, taxes, judges, global warming, drilling in Anwar, and the detention and prosecution of enemy combatants, I take issue with some of his past comments, votes, or current positions.
Unfortunately, the message I’m getting from the Republican establishment is that conservatives should bite their tongues, do their duty, and await the crumbs that may come their way in a McCain administration. Is that what it’s come to? Party loyalty before principle?
In endorsing McCain the other day, former President George H.W. Bush said, “…no one is better prepared to lead our nation at these trying times than Senator John McCain.” Really? No one? Does this incredibly decent former president truly believe that McCain is better prepared to lead this nation than say, his own son, Jeb? Or Mitt Romney?
In his endorsement, the former president also said, “…I believe now is the time for me to help John in his effort to start building the broad-based coalition it will take for our conservative values to carry the White House this fall.”
“Conservative values.” That’s all this election is about for millions of Americans who choose to put country before party. As such, they are entitled to have McCain further define or clarify his “conservative values.” He needs to earn their vote.
Like Untermeyer, former President Bush questioned those on the right who question McCain. He called such criticism “grossly unfair” and an “unfair attack.”
If some in the party succeed in quashing the conservative voice, then they will have silenced the conscience of America. Surely, John McCain will stand shoulder to shoulder with conservatives to prevent such an outcome.
Yeah, but you and I are just sitting around blathering. Loser that he is, he has miraculously set himself up for the Presidency, is working on his second HOT wife, and he got to fly jets.
“My granmamma wants to fly jets!”
He’s not slick, he has fatal flaws, all visible. He is entirely given over to being embarrassingly human and hot-headed, vain and vicious. I don’t have to guess.
Make no mistake, I do not like the man and am not here to defend HIM, just to talk about realities and choices, hard and few as they may be.
You can always pick out the trolls because they are practically illiterate.
You misspelled two simple words. How do you expect anyone to take you seriously.
It can also be used as a shorthand way of identifying idiotic statements.
The fact that the original poster cannot see any difference between McCain and Obama/Clinton is idiotic.
I know you're not disagreeing with me, but none of this would have happened if not for who is father and grandfather were. (And the way he left his first hot wife for his second hot wife was despicable IMHO.)
Very despicable. And the world is full of such, leaving off good counsel and high ideals. We are surrounded by pit-bull politicians.
I want a hyena on my side. He’ll like as not bite me, but I hope he scares the shiite outta everyone else first.
BTW and OT, I posted something on my blog a while back (not pimping here) about pet hyenas and the astounding photographs from Nigerians who own them. If “own” is the correct term. You would not believe the number of google hits I receive daily from people around the world looking up “pit bull/hyena crossbreeding” type questions. It frankly frightens me.
Unable to defend his unstable position the empty headed party hack falls back on the old Troll and syntax attacks, which are the net’s equivalent of a 3 year old biting another kid who won’t share his toy.
Right out of the “no original ideas” playbook. No wonder you support the empty suit of an empty party.
Yeah it would... because it defies human nature and ignores the primary process.
“How does it advance conservative philosophy to get hilabama elected?”
How does it advance the cause of conservatism to get McCain elected?
Ronald Reagan used to explain the reason for GOP policies. No one does that now. President Bush certainly doesn’t. Instead, let’s just chase the Democrats leftward.
Yikes, that is troublesome.
And yet, you continue name-calling.
Perhaps if you try responding to the content of a post, rather trying to impugn the poster, you could elevate your commentary to more than name-calling.
You seem to have a difficult time distinguishing between personal attack and a discussion of content.
Ouch...I hope you don't teach your kids to give up this easily...enjoy OBAMA. If you don't vote you'll deserve him...
“But I think it’s religious conservatives they view that way. Because the Religious Right will keep on being ridiculous in their backing of someone just because he’s a Christian. Did we learn nothing from Jimmy Carter?
That would explain their support of Huckabee.”
“Either the religious right is actually comprised of Christian Socialists, or they’re just playing identity politics.”
You are on to a developing trend and possible realignment. There is a big difference between social conservatives and religious conservatives. I want the religious conservatives in the conservative movement and part of social conservatism. However, many are willing to throw all the principles of social conservatives under the bus. Illegal immigration, higher social spending by the government, and rehabilitation over punishment are some of the issues thrown under this election cycle. If they choose to do that, fine that is their choice, but the are more liberal than McCain in their thinking and eventual direction.
I’m willing to give them the benefit of the doubt that they acting desperately due to no strong conservative candidates this election cycle. But, it may not be temporary - they may be moving toward liberalism under a false gospel of more government.
The problem is, they did. They watched as the party moved farther left year after year and finally came to the place where they couldn’t move along with it any longer. Ronald Reagan said, “I didn’t leave the (democrat) party. It left me” Ronald Doughty said, “I didn’t leave the (republican) party. It left me.”
What the party really wants is for Conservatives not to grow up. Just like the Democrats want blacks to be submissive and vote for them no matter what, the Republicans want Conservatives to be submissive and vote for them no matter what.
Democrats don’t help blacks. They need them to be dependent. Republicans don’t help conservatives. They need them to be dependent.
That’s not going to happen any longer. John McCain is the last straw for many of us.
I watch John McCain make a complete ass out of himself over the last ten years. I’m no fan of Bush, but McCain decided to give him grief constantly. Okay, we both disagreed with Bush on issues, but I didn’t become Ted Kennedy’s best friend. I didn’t chum it up with Fieingold, or chuckle at Hilllary’s every word.
I will never vote for the likes of McCain. NEVER
GOP stands for Grand Old Plantation.
LOL, that’s pretty good.
You seem to have a difficult time distinguishing between personal attack and a discussion of content.
That tends to happen when only one participant in the discussion actually has content to discuss and so name calling, troll labeling and misdirection focussed on syntax/grammer are the only tools such a one has left.
They just want to 11,000 dollars I would have donated if they hadn’t driven me away. They know my past donations and want the tap turned on again... but not enough to show me or my philosophy any respect at all.
LLS
LOL, I teach my kids not to follow along like good little lemmings, which is a lot different than giving up. McCain is an old, uncharismatic RINO who has been on the wrong side of just about every issue the base cares about. Compare that with Obama, the likely nominee, who is young, charismatic and in lock-step with his base. It's going to be a bloodbath. Oh and I will be voting, just not for any of the nominees.
People outsmart themselves by trying to pick someone who is electable instead of electing a sound candidate.
Obama is a rock star personality with no substance.
Hillary is a policy wonk that people detest.
McCain is neither strong in policy substance nor personality.
McCain isn’t being selcted by the voters, he just didn’t get rejected as badly as did the others.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.