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GOP to Conservatives: Drop Dead
Townhall.com ^ | February 22, 2008 | Douglas MacKinnon

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.

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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.


TOPICS: Editorial; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: 2008; conservativevote; gop; mccain; whino
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To: Kaslin
“Snarky Quibbler who Undermines and Ignores Ronald Reagan’s Enduring Legacy.” John McCain
81 posted on 02/22/2008 6:44:14 AM PST by e-male
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To: wilco200

Then you deserve the govenment you get.


82 posted on 02/22/2008 6:44:22 AM PST by HappyinAZ
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To: maggief
Here’s what I think about your recent request for contributions ...

You can get yourself removed from their contact lists by asking. It seems to have worked for me so far.

83 posted on 02/22/2008 6:44:24 AM PST by Ingtar (Haley Barbour 2012, Because he has experience in Disaster Recovery. - ejonesie22)
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To: wilco200
Interesting language as I have been making the point for weeks that conservatives are to the republican party what blacks are to the democrats

Conservo-republicans have been encouraging blacks to leave the plantation for years pointing out how the Dems make promises, assume their votes, take their votes for granted then do nothing for them, year after year after year.

When are Conservatives going to heed their own advice?

84 posted on 02/22/2008 6:44:49 AM PST by Eagle Eye (I'm a RINO cuz I'm too conservative to be a Republican. McCain is the Conservatives true litmus test)
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To: apocalypto

The thing about the NYT story is that the only part that is probably a lie is the part about a sexual relationship. It was a known fact that McCain was accepting campaign donations from every company who had business before his campaign committee. He may not have always voted their way, but he took the money, from airlines and telecommunications companies, particularly.


85 posted on 02/22/2008 6:44:50 AM PST by Eva (Benedict Arnold was a war hero, too.)
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To: Kaslin
Interesting he mentions people acting like little children. I see a whole bunch of people acting like little children, many of them are on the radio.
86 posted on 02/22/2008 6:45:25 AM PST by BallyBill (Serial Hit-N-Run poster)
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To: rockinqsranch

See post 78.


87 posted on 02/22/2008 6:45:32 AM PST by bmwcyle (I am the watchman on the tower sounding the alarm.)
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To: Perdogg

I was talking with a democrat the other day. She believes that her party is for change (mostly bad IMO) and that the Republican Party survives by keeping people in fear. Reading some of the posts around here, it’s hard not to argue that.


88 posted on 02/22/2008 6:46:01 AM PST by CindyDawg
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To: jeddavis
"Conservatives need to examine all of their positions and see if there might be any sort of a rational cause for it."

Because we do not embrace socialism like you and your cohorts, you now attempt to lay the blame on the coming destruction of the Republican Party on Conservatives... no sale... NO CONSERVATIVE alive will embrace what you are trying to define Conservatism as today. You and your team are no better than osama and the ‘toonville sycophants.

LLS

89 posted on 02/22/2008 6:46:36 AM PST by LibLieSlayer ("There is no conservative alternative in the race. It's just that simple." Rush Limbaugh)
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To: Kaslin

The GOP will rediscover conservatives the day after the election in November. Then, with their built-in scapegoat, the blame can be put at the feet of those who voted their conscience.


90 posted on 02/22/2008 6:47:04 AM PST by AD from SpringBay (We deserve the government we allow.)
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To: apocalypto

Ironic isn’t it? The NYT endorsed our boy Juan, while sitting on a story that could be potentially fatal to him. They played us right out front, and the Republican elites went along for the ride because they viewed Romney as too conservative on illegal immigration.


91 posted on 02/22/2008 6:49:32 AM PST by claudiustg (We're Whiggin' out!)
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To: wilco200

“Interesting language as I have been making the point for weeks that conservatives are to the republican party what blacks are to the democrats.”

I’ll have to look in my old posts, but I’ve been making largely the same point since I started posting FR back in 2004. Interesting how what was once heresy is now almost accepted.

“I wonder which will wake up first?”

I don’t think either will. Conservatives and leftists are similar in that they’re anxiously looking for a political version of the messiah. They would much rather have some politician “save” them than spend the effort elsewhere in bettering their own lot.


92 posted on 02/22/2008 6:49:43 AM PST by RKBA Democrat (Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner!)
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To: Perdogg
The minute they get control of all three branches of govt, they are going to fix the process so that they never lose power.

A President McCain does nothing to hinder that, judging by his past.

93 posted on 02/22/2008 6:49:51 AM PST by Ingtar (Haley Barbour 2012, Because he has experience in Disaster Recovery. - ejonesie22)
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To: wilco200
I'm not sure it's entirely true, either. But I'm just looking at today. You and I and the rest of the choir know we're not alone as long as we have each other. But the world isn't tuned into blogs, or Free Republic, or politics.

They're voting for American Idol, and our time is passing away rapidly. The youngest of the pack won't vote, although they'll make a lot a noise. But even now, the 35 year-olds with families are much, much more liberal in their world views. They can't help it, they were inundated with it over the medium of choice: MTV.

If McCain wins, it will be the last of the Old White Man presidents. He's keeping his currency high by appealing to the new "conservative" that isn't.

Just another magnetic shifting of the political process. North is South now.

94 posted on 02/22/2008 6:50:43 AM PST by JoanVarga ("¿Por qué no te calles?")
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To: Kaslin
“SQUIRREL.”

Some of our worst are better than your best mr GOP

G O P = Grossly Over Politisized

95 posted on 02/22/2008 6:51:35 AM PST by ATOMIC_PUNK (Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities.)
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To: Corin Stormhands

“I said “SHOW me the change. Then call me back.”

I hope you’re not waiting by the phone for that call.


96 posted on 02/22/2008 6:51:56 AM PST by RKBA Democrat (Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner!)
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To: Kaslin

Amazing Arrogance.

McCain averaged about 30% of the vote in the competitive Republican primaries. Many of those voters were independents and cross-over Democrats.

Add up all the Huckabee, Romney, Thompson, Hunter and some Paul voters. These people did NOT vote for McCain. In most cases, perhaps 20% of true Republicans actually voted for McCain...a some of them were holding their noses.

He acts as if he’s won some huge landslide among Republicans. As predicted, the MSM has already begun to slam him and brainwash the independents. Many of the voters who gave McCain the nomination will move to Obama after a few months of MSM propaganda.

If McCain doesn’t “pander” to the Right, he will lose. The base of the party puts candidates in a position to win. Many conservatives will hold their noses and vote for McCain, but they won’t volunteer, donate, campaign, put out signs, etc...unless he can rally the base.

I can’t believe the McCain campaign folks thought the MSM was going to be on their side. They also thought the Mindlesss Middle would rise up and sweep him to victory?

RINOs are weak fools.


97 posted on 02/22/2008 6:51:56 AM PST by rightinthemiddle (The Mainstream Media Controls Our Party. Go, RINOS!)
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To: BallyBill

I don’t agree. See post 78.


98 posted on 02/22/2008 6:52:48 AM PST by bmwcyle (I am the watchman on the tower sounding the alarm.)
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To: Ingtar
It doesn’t matter. I don’t think John McCain can win and as we have been told over and over, it doesn’t matter who is best for our country as long as we stay in power, so why are we arguing? Whether 5% or 100% conservative, we all lose.
99 posted on 02/22/2008 6:53:44 AM PST by CindyDawg
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To: CindyDawg

“She calls the Republican party the “fear” party.”

She’s half right. The apologists for both parties are very similar in their worldview when it comes right down to it.


100 posted on 02/22/2008 6:53:54 AM PST by RKBA Democrat (Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner!)
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