We have gotten a lot from the conservative Republican elected officials, on taxes, regulation, life, judges, national security and other areas. The Democrats in Congress have been wrong in all areas. Name a conservative principle and I can name dozens, if not a majority of Republican office-holders who will sign up for that.
So the claim that we’ve gotten nothing is just false. And even where parts of the GOP are really wrong (eg Bush and McCain on immigration) *most* of the party officials and officeholders are with us.
So why the whining and complaining? It’s an attempt to reassert control over the parties future thats at risk to RINO control. But is whining a conservative principle? I never got that out of my readings of William F Buckley, Russell Kirk, Ronald Reagan or Newt Gingrich. maybe one can find a cite.
I think we should be a movement based on winning not whining. The first step to winning is NOT TO LOSE. we can reassert control of the GOP no by whining or sulking or sitting out november but by positive forward-thinking positive action.
If Obama wins, it is a huge loss and body blow to conservatives; we go to the back of the bus. As liberal blogger willis put it - the conservative movement is set back by 10 years. If MCCain wins, it may not be a win, but it wont be a loss; we regroup and regain GOP influence and push agenda forward.
The difference is that if Obama wins, the entire federal govt 2 main branches is ‘enemy territory’ and we are 100% locked out of influence for 4-8 years.
You make a mistake in thinking that I am a Republican or that I really care about the GOP or regaining control of it, as if Conservatives ever had anything more than just a seat at the table.