Posted on 05/22/2008 9:48:34 PM PDT by Free ThinkerNY
Recent congressional losses, President George W. Bush's unpopularity, and bleak generic ballot poll numbers have conservatives fearing the "liberalization" of America – a move toward secularization, the growth of government, stagnation, mediocrity and loss of freedom.
Yet there is still a way to revive the conservative cause. Doing so will require avoiding the traps of pessimism or election-year quick fixes. Conservatives need to stand back for a moment and think about our philosophical first principles.
Conservatives value the lessons of history and respect faith and tradition. They are skeptical of mass movements, perfect solutions and what often passes for "progress." At the same time, they recognize that change is inevitable. They also know that while man is prone to err, he is capable of great things and is meant to be free in an unfettered market of ideas, not subjugated by a too-powerful government.
These were the principles relied upon by our Founding Fathers, and which paved the way for a Constitution that delineated the powers of the central government, established checks and balances among its branches, and further diffused its power through a system of federalism. These principles led to a market economy, the primacy of the rule of law and the abolition of slavery. They also helped to establish liberal trade policies and to meld idealism and realism in our foreign and military policies.
The power of conservative principles is borne out in the most strong, prosperous and free country in the history of the world.
(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...
It's like a guy who cheats on his wife, and now has to convince her that, if given another chance, he won't do it again.
Excellent essay by the man who should be our next president.
Can someone tell me again how the hell John McCain won the nomination? All I remember is seeing him at the bottom of the polls, then a haze came over me and all of a sudden he was the nominee. I’m still not sure it’s real.
Characteristic, refreshing common sense from FDT. His writing usually reminds me of how uncommon common sense really is these days.
Maybe he does want to be the veep...
Wow, an article by a Republican that doesn’t end up with suck it up, hold your nose and take the plunge on November 4th. I didn’t think such articles existed these days.
From your lips to God’s ear.
The Conservative cause needs a leader. How about it, Fred? You're perfect for the job!
The media picked him. The MSM constantly printed/said wonderful things about McCain, while continually painting Romney as evil incarnate. People bought it. Oh, and IMHO, a lot of Dem crossover voting for McCain to ensure that the Dems wouldn't have to run against Romney. The left feared Romney and felt that McCain was either beatable, or if he actually won the presidency, he is actually one of them anyway.
That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
I know what you mean. Remember when Rudy was the guy to beat? Then Romney? Then Huckabee? After a late start, Thompson stirred up a lot of media attention. All the while, McCain was not on anyone's radar screen and then suddenly he's the nominee. It's almost surreal.
“The Death of Conservatism Is Greatly Exaggerated”
It’s not dead. It’s just not wanted in the Republican Party any longer.
I find it totally ironic that those who constantly dismissed Fred because he was “too old” are now some of the most ardent John McCain supporters.
Fred aint dead and i’m feeling better myself Bump
Until the Republican Party goes back to its core values it will continue to lose elections.
That's easy. Everyone had this mental list of who they would vote for in order of preference. John McCain was at near the bottom of all those lists. Even some democrats were higher on the list. Nobody was paying attention to John McCain way down there at the bottom, well because he was at the bottom so had no chance of winning. McCain was out of money and out of ideas early in the political season and almost quit before Fred Thompson even got in.
So everyone one the top half of the list just kicked each other around and kick each other out. Suddenly nobody is left on the list except McCain who did absolutely jack squat the entire first half of the season.
Well all the sudden he found out he was the only person actually left in the race and said well guess I'm stayin in then. It wasn't that McCain really won the nomination, it was more that everyone else lost.
I'm not sure but I think that is the same strategy that McCain is employing now that he is the nominee. Let Obama and Hillary knock each other out and he'll be the last person standing.
Just curious because you are in Alaska, how would you feel about Gov. Sarah Palin for McCains’s VP ?
For later read.
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